"Because we are members of His Body" (Eph. 5:30)

The busyness of spring is all around: weddings, graduations, May crowning, soccer, baseball, school field trips.

Something is going on every day.

At many destinations this week I've had the pleasure of visiting with people from St. Columbkille Parish. And after almost every encounter, I walk away feeling better, warmed by fellow parishioners -- not because of sweeping, heroic gestures, but little everyday conversations, hugs and smiles.

Here's how much of the week went:

Friday night was kindergarten soccer night. My son's team, the Huskers (because of their red T-shirts), gave one of their players to the opposing team because they were short a player. And of course, the kindergarteners happily obliged.

The coach's wife made sure she stopped by to ask how I was doing, one parent patted our family's dog while others relaxed and talked on the sidelines.

On Saturday I watched kindergarteners and first-graders hug and congratulate the teacher they knew as Miss Senger after she became Mrs. Olson. The church courtyard, filled with well-wishers, was a sunny, happy place.

In the pews at the noon Mass, my family was sandwiched in between several rows full of other St. Columbkille School families, who warmly greeted each other and wished the moms happy Mother's Day. It felt comfortable sitting among them.

Monday was May Crowning for my daughter at Mercy -- and several other Mercy students from St. Columbkille. The ceremony was beautiful and emotional, and afterward a few St. Columbkille mothers laughed about the tears they shed at the event.

Tuesday and Wednesday were baseball games at St. Columbkille fields, where younger siblings ran and played while parents, bundled in blankets on the bleachers, visited and occasionally shared a laugh with the coaches and umpire.

Thursday began with the all-school Mass, hugs and greetings from the regular Mass-goers and afterwards updates from friends -- which made me slightly late for the fourth-grade fishing trip.

Dedicated parents, relatives and school staff made sure the field trip went on after being canceled because of rain Monday. Families had to dig out hats, gloves and winter coats because it was cold and windy at the lake. But parents managed to laugh about it. One dad set up my son's fishing line on his pole and showed him how to cast. The fish weren't biting much, but the kids ate hot dogs, chips and watermelon and ran around. It was a good day.

Nothing really extraordinary happened this week. But maybe that's why it was special. Day in and day out, I encounter good, kind people -- kids and adults -- from St. Columbkille.

Our family's busy schedule puts me in regular contact with them. After 25 years at St. Columbkille, I have many old friends here. Yet because our parish is large and ever-changing, I constantly meet new people. Having nine children helps. I don't consider myself outgoing; typically other people reach out to me, often just to say hello or for small talk.

This week made me stop and think: Are other parishes like St. Columbkille? Do we have something special here?

What do you think?

"Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble."

-- 1 Peter 3:8

Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.