Dear Friends,
Fr. Patrick Render, C.S.V. Pastor January 19, 2020 |
The news release last week regarding the latest decisions from the RENEW MY CHURCH process was widely reported. It generated some fresh interest in our own situation. As you know, we are grouped with St. Bartholomew and St. Wenceslaus parishes and this is our “activation” year, but we are at a very early stage. The three Pastoral Councils will gather here on February 24th for a briefing from the RENEW MY CHURCH team about the goals and the steps in the process.
All of the pastors and associate pastors from every parish being activated this year across the archdiocese (Wave 4) will gather on March 18th to set up a schedule for grouping meetings through the summer and fall. The fall of 2020 is when the bulk of the discussions and recommendations will happen. Remember that the goal of the process is to create the strongest and most vital presence of the Catholic Church that we can create for the future of the people living in this northwest sector of the city. What each parish can bring to the table to achieve that goal is the best focus for our attention now. |
I am already hearing speculation and rumors about what the outcome of our process will be. Obvi- ously those are idle speculations and grist from the gossip mill. Sometime in the near future the Archdiocese will send specialists to each of our parishes to look at our property, buildings, finances and capital needs. When that information is compiled it will be given to the pastors and teams of representatives from each parish. I suspect that that might happen by late spring and over the summer. The Archdiocese will also be presenting us with compiled statistics on parish financial situations, on patterns of Mass attendance and active parish participation, on school enrollments and goals, on demographic projections for our sections of the city, on ministry strengths in each parish and other kinds of background information to inform our conversations. This is all important for enlightened conversation and deliberation. A true process of “discernment” is a spiritual endeavor requiring the open minds and hearts of the participants to listen, to reflect, to pray and to trust the influence of the Holy Spirit working through everyone sitting at the table. Hopefully, as people of faith, that attitude will be our best contribution to the process.
At the meeting on March 18th the pastors and associate pastors will be coached in the skills and qualities to look for in forming a team of parish representatives. The teams are composed of the pastor, associate pastor, school principal, one representative from the School Board, and three representatives from the parish at large. I will be consulting and forming our team by Easter. The representative teams from all the activated groupings across the Archdiocese will gather on June 13 for a day of retreat and conversation with Cardinal Cupich to begin the process. So, that is the plan as it stands now. There are no foregone conclusions or decisions, so please keep the process in your prayer and bring any creative ideas to me or to our Pastoral Council. Thanks.
At the meeting on March 18th the pastors and associate pastors will be coached in the skills and qualities to look for in forming a team of parish representatives. The teams are composed of the pastor, associate pastor, school principal, one representative from the School Board, and three representatives from the parish at large. I will be consulting and forming our team by Easter. The representative teams from all the activated groupings across the Archdiocese will gather on June 13 for a day of retreat and conversation with Cardinal Cupich to begin the process. So, that is the plan as it stands now. There are no foregone conclusions or decisions, so please keep the process in your prayer and bring any creative ideas to me or to our Pastoral Council. Thanks.
Adopt a Family Event 2018
Adopt a Family would like to extend 101 Thank You’s from our 101 Families who enjoyed an afternoon full of presents and treats! Thank You to our generous shoppers, bakers and elves who pitched in to make this a special day for local families in need of help. An extra thanks to our Youth Group, Teen Club, Girl Scouts and Parent Association! Merry Christmas!