The Power of Name Tags in our Parish Family

Friends, this weekend marks five weeks into our new season as a parish—a season characterized by a developing unity. It gives me great joy to report that in the last five weeks, we have ordered 160 new parishioner name tags! I cannot overstate the importance of this news because it represents a quantitative measure of people’s increasing openness and desire both to know other parishioners and to be known.

We are a sleeping giant as a parish, but that giant is waking up as parts of the Body work together more efficiently to carry out our common mission: to be a vibrant community that actively accompanies others in encountering Jesus. This is our mission, our purpose, our reason for existence as a parish, and every single person has a part to play—regardless of age—according to their unique giftedness. If this is our mission—and it is because it is thoroughly biblical in foundation (see Mt 28:19; Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:4-6; Eph 4:11-13; 1 Pt 4:10)—I see 160 new name tags as a wonderful sign of developing unity.

In contrast, anonymity, separateness, and the status quo are tools the evil one uses to maintain Catholic parishes that only exist to feed the sheep without empowering and activating the sheep to become shepherds who lead others to Jesus. It begins with every person experiencing the love of Jesus—both supernaturally (this is called encounter) and through a brother or sister in Christ—who empowers and energizes us through the Holy Spirit for mission. If you do not yet have a name tag, please consider ordering one so that you can be part of God’s work in 2025.

Reflecting on this good news about new name tags, it struck me that the days when we could expect to turn up to Mass without any responsibilities are well and truly gone. I would like to share a personal story about a formative experience to explain.

With most of my siblings having their own families, our whole family gathers on Boxing Day every second year to celebrate Christmas. I was grateful to be able to join them that particular year, but admittedly, I was extremely tired after the Advent season, the celebration of Christmas Masses, and landing in Auckland at 12:30 a.m. on December 26.

Joining the family later that morning, I had decided that I didn’t need to help with anything since everything was already organized. Now, I’m from a large family, and at that time—with seven siblings, several spouses, nephews and nieces, visitors, and even two foster children present—there were roles for everyone, even the visitors. My lack of proactivity in helping to set up, wash up, pack up, or even being present to others, was not lost on my siblings, who, after the visitors had departed, confronted me. Apparently, being tired and feeling like I couldn’t do anything to help didn’t cut the mustard.

“We are a family,” one of them said, “and in a family, everyone has responsibilities.”

That experience, which took place about five years ago, still gives me cause for reflection—particularly in the context of our parish family. Families function well when every person knows that they are loved and valued as part of the family, and it is no different in a parish family. Wearing a name tag so that we can learn each other’s names is the most fundamental part of our developing unity. I, myself, feel embarrassed when I see a parishioner I recognize but do not know by name. Indeed, I regularly meet parishioners who are a little put out that I don’t know their name! While I am certain that I can learn every person’s name—as we all should in our regular Mass centre—I personally need your help by either ordering a name tag or wearing it if you already have one.

Thank you for wearing your name tag and for playing a vital role in our parish’s mission to be a vibrant community—full of energy and life—that actively accompanies people in encountering Jesus!

Peace and blessings, 

Fr. Josh