TO MAKE ENGAGED WHAT?!: About a week and a half ago, the three cluster parishes met at the Cathedral for a follow up to our Spring Cluster Retreat. It was a great evening. Representatives from each of our three parishes ate together, prayed together, and we then got some clarity about our purpose, our vision, and our goals. What is our purpose? “To make engaged Disciples of Jesus!” Our Vision? “To be a vibrant Catholic Community of joyful missionary disciples!” What are our goals? Well, we need to allow our Parish Councils time to take all of the feedback we gave them in the spring and at this Cluster Retreat to begin to set them. They will let us know what they are soon. Thank you to all who participated. You are already helping us achieve our vision. We plan on having two more gatherings this year (Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Moses taking a turn to host).
What can you do in the meantime? Give us names and contact information for folks who are either not Catholic, or who were maybe baptized Catholic but are not active in their faith any longer. Last Sunday, we began the RCIA process (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). The RCIA allows folks to come and learn what Jesus established in the Church and allow them to eventually become a Catholic if they feel called to do so. We have Jesus; we have community; we have the Eucharist; we have so much more. It is our job as Catholics to invite others to share what we have. This is why we have the RCIA process.
You know folks who would benefit from what we have. I am asking you to look around you and identify the people whom I need to contact. They could be a neighbor, a coworker, or even a family member. Just give me their name and number and I will do the inviting. On behalf of our Lord, “Thank you for sharing the Faith”.
OH YEAH, YOU HAVE ANOTHER JOB TO HELP WITH: One of the reasons we are three parishes with one pastor and an associate pastor who is part time associate and part time worker down at the chancery is that there is a shortage of clergy. Statistics show that most men who enter the seminary and 70% of the priests ordained attribute their decision to explored priesthood to an invitation by a priest.
There are several Discernment events coming up in the next few months: On Dec. 6th there is evening prayer and dinner with Archbishop Vigneron (ages 16-55); a Discernment Weekend (Nov. 10-13, Jan. 19-22, and March 30-Apr. 2) for men who are between being a senior in High School and age 55; There are two overnight discernment opportunities for freshman, sophomores and juniors in high school (Oct. 21-22 and April 7-8); and finally there is a Discernment Retreat with Archbishop Vigneron form men ages 16-55 on May19-21. All of these take place at the Seminary.
You can help Fr. Patrick and I kick start someone’s journey to the priesthood if you suggest to us names of men you think have the right qualities to serve as a priest. Provide us their name and contact info and we would be very happy to talk with them.
God Bless,
Fr. J.J.