The Basket Case

We are creatures of habits. Change is always a challenge.

We started using baskets for our church collection a little over two months ago. It's a change first introduced to the ushers - most of whom expressed reservations and doubt it will work smoothly. It's a major change for them and also for the parishioners who were used to a collection basket attached to a pole held by an usher from the end of the pew.

It's almost comical to watch the first few Sunday Masses during collection, at how both ushers and worshippers seem to be unsure of what to do. Never mind that the new pastor has tried to explain time and again on how the flow should be, what the ushers and the congregation should do. There were those tentative gestures, unsure looks and an uneasy aura.

The thing is - the change was not just about the vessel or the basket. It was about attitude, about roles, about sharing, about understanding. The basket represents the need for the congregation to actually be involved in the collection process - not just by throwing in their dollar or envelopes. In passing the basket, in touching the basket, they participate in the offering. Imagine that!

At the Cathedral, the Cardinal, the pastor or the priest celebrating the Mass take their time during offertory to explain what is taking place. People are asked to reflect on how they will thank the Lord through their weekly envelopes. They reflect and pray then the baskets are passed and they put their gifts in it.

Sure, there are always people who will open their purses and write their checks only when the basket gets right in front of them. There will always be those who will endlessly search their pockets or purses for change. No matter the interruption to the flow, somehow the collection always go smoothly.

Maybe it's because the ushers and the congregation are in synch. Ushers manage the baskets, and the people pass the baskets. They touch it because they thank God for their temporal and spiritual blessings. Even if no money is given because there is none to give, touching the basket enables the parishioner to include their gift - of presence, of unity with the whole community in praising and thanking God.

Our church is going through changes. We have a new pastor and a new priest who bring with them new ideas and new ways of doing things. The basket represents the process the parish is going through. There will always be those who will resist it and will want to do things the way it has always been done. There will be those who will be protective of their turfs - like some of the ushers who were not willing to have the people touch the baskets. There will be people who would not know what to do and would have a hard time dealing with the change. But there would also be those who understand and who would observe, help and nudge here and there until everyone gets in the same rhythm - until it finally clicks - until we become one.

We are almost there and we will get it right. We will get it right because we will learn to work together and trust each other. We will get it right because deep in our hearts we understand what is important - the ability to express our gratitude and praise to the who One provides all, who guides all and who loves all.

Soon we will no longer be a basket case.