As I See It

by Fr. Vin

Where We Go from Here

Since last spring’s ME²⁵ survey and the fall listening sessions, the Pastoral Council and ministry staff have been working toward some priorities that would be faithful both to our Church’s mission and to your needs.  Taking parishioners’ comments on the drafts we presented after Easter into consideration, we’ve come up with the following way of describing our priorities for the future for Our Lady of Grace.

Note: The Eucharist is the central, top priority.  Others are equal in importance.

Centrality of Eucharist & Sacraments

A priority of Our Lady of Grace is to help parishioners understand and integrate what we do at the Eucharist.

By means of:

• fostering full, conscious, and active participation of all parishioners in the Sunday Eucharist and in other sacraments;

• investing in good music, liturgical environment, ministerial formation, and preaching; and

• helping parishioners to pray liturgically.

In order that parishioners may better understand and integrate the message of the Eucharist and truly "go forth to love and serve the Lord and one another."

The following are of equal importance.

An embracing community

A priority of Our Lady of Grace is to encourage our parishioners to be welcoming and inclusive of all, reflecting the words and actions of Jesus Christ.

By means of creating an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for the gifts and ideas of parishioners in accordance with the Gospel message, encouraging full participation in our parish communion.

In order that all who come into contact with our parish community may be welcomed graciously.

Youth engagement

A priority of Our Lady of Grace is to prepare its young people for lifetime discipleship as engaged Catholics.

By means of involving them in parish activities that:

• meet their spiritual needs;

• create a sense of belonging;

• invite them into a community of similarly-committed people of all ages;

• help them to learn and use their gifts; and -

• affirm their gifts and contributions to their families, the community, and the world.

In order to prepare and inspire them to grow toward Christian maturity.

Ongoing faith formation

A priority of Our Lady of Grace is to help parishioners to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith, tradition, and practices needed for effective discipleship today.

By means of fostering:

• adult education that addresses contemporary issues;

• preaching that enlightens and challenges; and -

• the expectation that adult Catholics will inform themselves and hand on faith in Jesus Christ through their words and actions.

In order that parishioners may be more effective disciples in family, church, and society.

Prayer groups

A priority of Our Lady of Grace is to invite parishioners to different forms of prayer.

By means of providing opportunities and resources to learn about and to form groups for prayer and/or faith sharing.

In order that parishioners might hear and live the Word of God, becoming prayerful and engaged in the life of the larger parish community.

Opportunities to serve

A priority of Our Lady of Grace is to serve God and others.

By means of knowing and using our gifts; and by identifying those areas of need in our community where those gifts are best utilized.

In order that parishioners may grow in knowledge and love of God through the exercise of their gifts; and that we may give witness to the Gospel through what we do.

More about these next week.  Until then, peace.