Dear Friends,
We have arrived on the precipice of the month of August. Can you parents hear those school bells ringing soon? I think someone mentioned that the “Back to School” ads have begun appearing. Folks often ask if around the parish the summer months slow down. Indeed, the pace changes a bit, but the flow of activities and work is still quite busy, as we are getting ready for the Fall. I suspect this is so for all of us. I pray that everyone has had or will have some time to relax and enjoy family and loved ones during these months of sunshine and warmth.
A few weeks ago, I shared about what we are calling Focus on our Future and our first thematic goal or priority from the Strategic Vision developed by our Envisioning Team as a result of the DMI survey we conducted with the help of Catholic Leadership Institute in the Fall of 2020. Our first goal is Forming Missionary Disciples. Our other two goals/priorities which overlap with the first are: Community Engagement and Outreach, and Spiritual Formation and Growth.
Why Forming Missionary Disciples? We learned from the survey that while we have some parishioners engaged in missionary discipleship, many wish to grow in their faith and be able to share their faith confidently with others. It is our desire to partner with one another to live out the words we pray at each weekend Mass ~ that we “are sent forth to share Your love and make disciples…”
How will we go about this? We completed this month two follow up meetings about this with several of our staff and parishioners. We will now establish action plans/steps that help all of us to enter into friendships that lead to discipleship. In other words, action plans to follow the method used by Jesus. More will be forthcoming.
Meanwhile I share again the following information that focuses us as a parish family ~ the purpose of our parish is: To serve God, serve others and make disciples in our community. We do this by being: Joyful, All In, and Contagiously Faithful. We will succeed by: Offering a “welcoming and hospitable environment, fellowship that develops authentic community, and friendship leading to discipleship.”
It is an exciting time and I ask for your constant prayers for the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit for these and all our parish endeavors as we Focus on Our Future.
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
