The Call to the Apostolate

Coming out of Vatican II it is the call to each Catholic to embrace an apostolate, as defined in the Catechism:

Apostolate: “The activity of the Christian which fulfills the apostolic nature of the whole Church by working to extend the reign of Christ to the entire world. (CCC. Glossary, p. 867)

“The whole Church is apostolic, in that she remains, through the successors of St. Peter and the other apostles, in communion of faith and life with her origin: and in that she is “sent out” into the whole world. All members of the Church share in this mission, through in various ways. “The Christian vocation is, of its nature, a vocation to the apostolate as well.” Indeed, we call an apostolate “every activity of the Mystical Body” that aims “to spread the Kingdom of Christ over all the earth.”” (CCC, Section 863)

"Millions of people, who, spurred on by the social Magisterium, have sought to make that teaching the inspiration for their involvement in the world. Acting either as individuals or joined together in various groups, associations and organizations, these people represent a great movement for the defense of the human person and the safeguarding of human dignity. Amid changing historical circumstances, this movement has contributed to the building up of a more just society or at least to the curbing of injustice." (Pope John Paul II, Centesimus Annus, Introduction)

And here is a wonderful story of one man’s apostolate.

Volunteer, 80, keeps Delaware parish looking spiffy
By Mike Lang
Catholic News Service
January 3, 2008

WILMINGTON, Del. (CNS) -- Isidro "Pedro" Colon retired from the city of Wilmington five years ago after years of cleaning the streets of trash and snow. No one would have blamed him had he kicked back, put his battle-tested feet up and relaxed during retirement.

No one, perhaps, except Colon himself.

Colon wanted no part of lazy mornings and daytime television. He had time and talents to offer. So he approached officials at his longtime parish, St. Paul's in Wilmington. They were more than happy to welcome him aboard.

"One day he asked if he could work here as a volunteer. I said anyone is welcome here," said Deacon Angel Rivera, who does maintenance at St. Paul's. "He didn't want to stay home and watch TV. So he thought the best place to start was here at the church."

Colon, 80, can be found virtually every morning on the grounds of St. Paul's or a nearby street, doing his part to make his little corner of the world a bit more pleasant. He works year-round, picking up trash, weeding and shoveling snow. He comes in early, sometimes before 7 a.m., works three or four hours, walks to his home half a block from the church, and returns in the afternoon to continue his work.

"The church appreciates what he's doing. We wish more people would help. You have to pay people to do what he's doing. That takes a good chunk out of the collection," Deacon Rivera said.

Some people try to make Colon's work more difficult by throwing trash in his direction as they walk or drive by, the deacon said, but for the most part he is treated with respect.

He doesn't stop with the parish grounds, either. Colon often will walk from St. Paul's up Fourth Street to Franklin Street, over one block to Third and back down the hill to St. Paul's.