The AA Model

Parishes would do well to model AA.  In AA someone comes in because they are desparate.  They want help to not die or lose everything they have.  The members of AA pour themselves out in service to this person, no questions asked.  They set the person on a spiritual path of recovery on several levels.  They walk with the person along the path. The person comes to many meetings.  Then one day, the person thinks things are fine and just stops coming, no goodbye, or thank you.  Time move on.  The person's life becomes a mess again.  They return, sheepishly, expecting some rejection or judgment.  The members who have been meeting regularly all this time, simply reach out in welcome, and again pour themselves out in service.  They act this way because it keeps themselves sober and on the spiritual path of a better life.  Think of a parish or church that acted this way.  People come to get something such as a church service, funeral, wedding, advice, daily sustenance or whatever.  If the parish helps and then the person leaves without even a goodbye or thank you, so what.  If it makes the helper a better person, holier in selfless service is this not a good thing?  If it makes you resentful, you might try the twelve steps of AA.  Just sayin