Father's Reflection 2.12.23

Three parishes, one family (continued)

“I pray Father that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me (Jn. 17: 23).” Friends, as I mentioned last week, our parish leadership team takes these words of Jesus very seriously.

So seriously that we have discerned a (a) parish mission statement and (b) purpose for our three parishes which we pray will help to facilitate unity among all three. The leadership team (Cheyenne Strathman, Greg Renyer, Mark Nagely, Annie Deters, Rod Winkler) have helped me to discern our parish mission statement, which reads: “to attract those in darkness to fullness of life in Jesus Christ.” They have also helped me to discern our purpose, which reads: “we impart graces through the Sacraments and we support those graces through intentional formation and community.” With our mission and purpose identified, the next step is implementation throughout the parishes.

Everything we do (or do not do) will be brought under the mission and purpose which have been identified. How do three distinct parishes become one family? By adhering to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic tradition; and by uniting under one common mission and purpose.

More on this in the coming weeks.