“Vision is the hope for who we want to become,
mission is the path by which we get there.”
Moving from maintenance to mission means leading people into discipleship rather than membership. Come Holy Spirit! For the past two months, we have been praying for parish renewal. If you have not yet read the last update, please consider reading it now as it discusses obstacles on our journey.
We have listened to parishioners. Thank you very much for everyone who has participated in this important process on discussing the future of our four North Glengarry Parishes. We had 20 different Town Hall Meetings in the past two months, and people shared their faith in-person, via online survey, and print form. Our Parish Renewal Committee continues to learn from the comments gathered and we are now preparing for the third phase – discernment.
Listen. Learn. Discern.
Next week our Parish Renewal Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 22, to continue to dream about what is possible for all our parishioners. We will be taking time to discern where God is calling us to go. We’ll also share this conversation with the Parish Finance Council, meeting on November 23, and the Parish Pastoral Council, meeting on November 30. Please stay tuned in early December for an update. Then, we’ll also be providing a summary to the Bishop’s Office.
Parish renewal is not easy, it is not quick, but it is possible. In the past couple months we’ve realized that there is more that unites us, than divides us. We are a People of Faith, rooted in God in Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for you and me, on a cross! He turned bad news, into a victory, and we are reminded daily of the Paschal Mystery.
As I shared on All Saints’ Day, our business is that of making saints, of making disciples! Come Holy Spirit. Please continue praying for parish renewal and the future of our North Glengarry Parishes. God bless you, and Mary protect you. Peace.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
