Blog Layout

In the End, Does it Matter?

Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman • February 13, 2025
A shovel is sitting in the middle of a pile of dirt.

When I was a teenager, the priest I would go to for confession used to tell me, over and over: “In the end, we all get the same dirty hole in the ground.”

 

What he meant was, it doesn’t matter how rich or smart or well-liked we are. We’re all heading to the same place. This life comes to an end for every man. All the money he earns, all the stuff, all the worldly esteem, will at some point be of no further use. We all get the same dirty hole in the ground.

 

It was an important message for me to hear, because at the time, it all seemed so important: my after-school job and my FAFSA application and my grades. The admiration of my friends and teachers. I was so consumed with what I was going to become that I wasn’t spending a lot of time thinking about who I was going to become. But the who is the only thing that lasts until the next life.

 

And to be honest, it’s all still too important to me. Avoiding sadness and disappointment. Saving money and being liked. Focusing on “the five-year plan” when it comes to career, house plans, and a whole bunch of other things I can’t take to my dirty hole in the ground.

 

Jesus was radical in his teaching that the “stuff” in life wasn’t all that important. It was radical for him to say that the worldly signs of success — wealth, popularity, pleasure — did not amount to a whole lot in the grand scheme of things and that suffering could sanctify us. It was radical in the ancient world, and it’s radical today.

 

Are we ready to be radical, too?

 

©LPi

Share

You might also like

LPi Blog

February 12, 2025
In a world full of digital content, it’s easy to assume that printed church bulletins are becoming a thing of the past. Wrong! Recent studies show that well-designed, content-rich Catholic parish bulletins are still going home with families after every Mass. Is your parish running out of your printed bulletins every week? If not, we can help you level up. By following our tips to enhance your bulletin's design and content, you can increase its appeal and effectiveness within your congregation. Why Are Printed Church Bulletins Gaining Popularity? Professional Design: A strong, easy-to-navigate parish bulletin design is one of your very best tools to getting your parishioners to pick up the bulletin every week. Churches with professional, attractive designs are finding bulletins fly out the doors! Tangible Connection: A physical bulletin provides a sense of tradition and belonging that digital formats often can't replicate. Engaging Content: Elements like pastoral letters, beautiful Catholic covers , and parishioner spotlights can make the bulletin more engaging. Exclusive Content: Make your bulletin one of a kind with content your parishioners won’t find anywhere else! With WeCreate, our exclusive library of Catholic content, you’ll have access to Catholic comics that engage and inspire, Gospel story illustrations that bring scripture to life, saint illustrations that highlight the heroes of our faith, and so much more ! How to Enhance Your Parish’s Bulletin 1. Lean In and Invest in Professional Design: If your bulletin is cluttered with small copy and hard to read, many folks may simply overlook it. An intentional and professionally designed layout enhances readability and reflects your church's commitment to excellence. Don’t forget, parishes that print their bulletins through LPi get a free professionally designed, custom bulletin template to easily cross this task off their list! 2. Incorporate that Engaging and Exclusive Content: Consider the content you include and remember to: Highlight Key Information: Important announcements, event details, and staff/ministry contact information should be prominently displayed and easy to find. Maintain Consistency: Use consistent branding elements, such as colors and fonts, to create a cohesive look that aligns with your church's identity. We can help if you don’t know where to start with a professional brand for your parish. Solicit Feedback: Encourage congregation members to provide input on the bulletin's content and design to ensure it meets their needs and preferences. In fact, consider putting a survey in the bulletin for them to return the following week! 3. Print Your Bulletin in Vibrant Color: Give your parish a bulletin that stands out with high-quality paper and gorgeous, eye-catching color — without breaking the bank. With LPi’s free, ad-supported bulletins, your parishioners will feel proud to pick up a beautifully crafted bulletin as soon as they see it at Mass. By focusing on these areas, your church bulletin will become a cherished resource that congregants look forward to each week, fostering a stronger sense of community and engagement. To learn more about LPi’s ad-supported free printed and digital bulletin service for Catholic parishes, and see some examples of the beautiful bulletin designs we create for thousands of parishes across the country, head on over to our website . We would love to help you spread the love of Christ!
By Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman February 7, 2025
I love today’s Gospel passage, and not just because I love a good fish fry. I love it because I am Peter.
A computer screen of a Parish website surrounded by different sections of website screenshots.
February 5, 2025
Cheat-sheet alert! Here’s everything you need to know to make your website perfect to reach newcomers and visitors this Easter.
More Posts
Share by: