Who can forget watching "Charlie Brown's Christmas", as Lucy sat before Schroeder's piano and asked him to play Jingle Bells? He enthusiastically played very intricate and moving renditions of Jingle Bells. Lucy listened very carefully, but did not hear Jingle Bells. Schroeder, exasperated, finally pecked out, note by single note, J- I-N-G-L-E -B-E-L-L-S, J-I-N-G-L-E -B-E-L-L-S !!! Lucy suddenly cried out loudly "THAT'S IT !!!!"
I thought of that the other day as I received my lector list. When we were a small parish, a simple list came out with everyone's duties on it. It was easy to read my assignment. Then we were closed and 'merged' into our larger parish and a new system was introduced. I received a small bundle of papers with the names of all who served, read, greeted and gave communion at all three masses. That was very nice, but I almost had a headache by the time I had found my name in the sea of data.
Wait, there is a compliment coming ! The new system of notification was quite elaborate, and quite confusing. I would sigh each time I would start to sift through the data. A couple of weeks ago I opened a thin envelope and found a single page of names titled "Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, Chapel Lector Ministry Teams" and loudly cried, "That's It!" Not only was the sheet direct and easy to follow, but it was an acknowledgment that there was no sin in allowing the "Chapel" to exist as an entity. All I could keep thinking was, "Was that so hard?"I was thankful that someone had realized that somethings had been made more difficult than was needed. Why did almost everything have to be revamped to accomodate the 'new' parish? When in reality, the two parishes that were twinned long ago, (Salem is considered by many to have been 'squeezed' out) coexisted in a simple fashion. Becoming larger doesn't necessitate creating an institutional feel.
Someone sent me an excerpt from 'The Master Stroke', and highlighted that when many businesses focus on growth, they often crowd out their concern for providing better products to thier customers. "For many businesses today, diversification, risk aversion, and mergers are the easiest route to keeping Wall Street happy. " One man, on the night he decided to become the president of the company, made a list of the qualitites he would have to possess to do the job well enough to keep his self respect.
Must keep temper--always--never get mad.
Be considerate of my associate's views.
Dont' talk to much--let others talk.
Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know.
Dont get emmersed in the detail--concentrate on big objectives.
Make contacts with people in the industry --and keep them!
Make a sincere effort to understand labor's viewpoint.
Act--get things done--move forward.
Be just: straightfoward: invite criticism and learn to take it
Above all else be human--keep your sense of humor--learn to relax.
I think my friend was trying to point out that Transfiguration Parish does not have to be managed as a large institution. (It may even have less people attending now than it did when St. Peter's and St. Mary's were twinned?) Sincere and constant interaction between those in charge and the people of the parish will produce meaningful dialogue. Meaningful dialogue produces insight. Insight produces understanding. Understanding produces cooperation. Cooperation builds structures that will last a lifetime.
When management plays simple notes that help the listener recognize the music, the ensuing reaction is both enthusiastic and meaningful. THAT'S IT !!!
