Father's Reflection 1.29.23

Seek23 (Part 3)

Friends, for the last several weeks we have been exploring what it looks like to be (a) on mission vs. maintenance mode, (b) how spiritual fruitfulness and a culture of living witnesses can transform a college Neuman Center as well as a parish vs. the ease of settling into mediocrity and the soul crushing phrase: “well, this is how it has always been,” and finally, (c) how the “win, build, send” model produces results.

For 25 years Focus has been on mission mode seeking to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus “to go and make disciples of all nations.” So how about our parishes? How are we seeking to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ? What can we do to invite as many as possible into relationship, before leading them to Christ?

All of the breakout sessions at Seek23 were strategically designed to help answer questions like these for parishioners like you. Some of my favorite breakout sessions included: (a) making missionary disciples, (b) catechesis, culture and Gen Z, (c) The Freedom of Forgiveness, and (d) Avoiding Burnout (by keeping your focus on the mission and keeping yourself out of it).

Part of what I got out of these breakout sessions was the firm conviction that we need to offer the faithful opportunities for “breakout sessions” of their own in the parish, as often as we can. We also need to be intentional about inviting people personally to these breakout sessions vs. making Mass announcements that are not personal from the ambo before Mass.

I am truly grateful for the experience of Seek23. Experiencing friendship, prayer and good conversation with several parishioners throughout the week, while also receiving formation which will hopefully lead to great fruit in the parish, all has my heart very full and very hungry to be on mission fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Who is with me?