Caring for myself in the midst of the start of the new ministry year

Many of us begin a new year with resolutions. We promise to make more time for prayer, rest, exercise, or other habits that help us grow. For a while, we may do well. But soon, life gets busy. We overcommit, our time becomes limited, and those good intentions begin to fade.

The ministry year can feel the same way. We tell ourselves, “This year, I’m going to make more time for prayer. I’m going to put it on my calendar.” And yet, here we are in September, and perhaps prayer has already been pushed to “tomorrow.” We tell ourselves we will take a day off later, but another email, meeting, or task always seems to take its place.

Because we love the people we serve, it can be difficult to recognize when ministry begins to take a toll on our well-being or our relationship with God. But caring for our spiritual, physical, and mental health is part of faithfully serving the Lord. Rest is not a sign that we are doing less for God. It can be an opportunity to remember that we are not the ones holding everything together. It is God who holds it all.

We do not have to say yes to everything. There will always be more that can be done, but not everything is ours to do. St. Ignatius of Loyola reminds us of the importance of discernment. Sometimes, even good things can draw us away from God when they become disordered. Something may look like dedication, generosity, or sacrifice, but we still need to ask whether it is helping us live more faithfully. Ask yourself: “Is this good thing helping me grow closer to Jesus, or is it slowly drawing me away from Him?” Pay attention to the movements within your heart. What is leading you toward greater peace, freedom, love, and faithfulness to Christ? What is leaving you restless, depleted, or distant from the Lord?

Our goal is not simply to do more good things. It is to become more deeply rooted in Christ so that our ministry flows from our relationship with Him.

As you reflect on caring for yourself, consider these invitations:

1. Make time for personal prayer. Set aside time to be with Jesus and honor it. This might be Eucharistic adoration, a rosary, Scripture, or simply sitting quietly in the Lord’s presence. Find a place where you can pray without feeling the need to be “on”—even if it is outside the parish where you work.
2. Continue growing. Find opportunities that nourish you spiritually, professionally, or both. We need formation for ourselves, not only for the people we serve. Look for retreats, books, podcasts, courses, or other resources that help you grow in your vocation.
3. Build a supportive community. Who can you be honest with? Who will listen, encourage you, pray with you, and lovingly tell you the truth when you need to hear it? We need people who can help us recognize when we are becoming overwhelmed. Ministry was never meant to be lived alone.
4. Notice where you encounter God. Is it in nature, through music, journaling, time with friends, or quiet moments alone? As St. Ignatius taught, we can find God in all things. Make room to notice where the Lord is already meeting you.
5. Make room for God’s Word and the Eucharist. Prepare your heart for the Sunday readings and for receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. Our relationship with Christ cannot be sustained only by the work we do for Him. We need to be nourished by His Word and His presence.

Ask the Holy Spirit for the wisdom to recognize what leads you closer to Christ, the courage to make necessary changes, and the grace to remain faithful to what matters most. What is one small step I can take this week to care for my relationship with Jesus and the life He has entrusted to me?

May our ministry never become so full that we lose sight of the One who called us to serve.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us!