Pastor's Page: "The Church As the People of God"
November 21, 2010
"Once you were no people, but now you are the people of God." (First Peter) the Second Vatican Council used "people of God" to describe the great mystery that is the Catholic Church, the body of Christ, the extension of Christ in space and time. By emphasizing baptism as the sacrament of initiation into the life of God and of the church, the Council fathers were making clear that we are all called to ministry of the gospel.
In the modern parish, the pastor and his staff, call forth the talents and gifts of parishioners for their work of service to others. This model of calling forth and empowering is the best way to work out people's faith commitment in the 21st century. In our weekly celebration of the liturgy, and in special spiritual offerings like our recent "Living Christ" retreat and the upcoming Advent retreat led by brother Kevin Cronin, we are drawn into the depths of God's love and transformed through that encounter.
Since our church structure is a hierarchical one, leadership rests on the shoulders of the pastor. Most American Catholic parishes continue to operate on this model, as does our diocese and the global church. The personality of the pastor and his leadership style, his charisma or lack thereof, his benevolence, creativity and trust in the spirit of God can foster wonderful parish life or something less.
Some parishes have no direction or planning whatsoever, while many others have a successful ability to plan and set goals and objectives.
Our Pastoral Council collaborates with the Parish Staff and me in planning future directions for parish. Our plans to build a Parish Center emerged from the Council and staff. Our Feasibility Study led by Lynch Developments clearly showed your interest as parishioners in creating a place, outside our church building, where our community may grow and mature. More than 150 families pledged $630,000 to fulfill that dream, and presently those families are redeeming their pledges sending in donations that amount to nearly $14,000 per month. At that rate, we will have somewhere near $170,000 in two years. It is my hope that in two years with the additional $180,000 that we have in reserve, we will be able to apply for a bridge loan of $300,000 at low interest.
The original projected cost of constructing the Parish Center, a two-story colonial style building with a full basement, was $1 million. Since we fell short of our goal, we are planning to go forward with the structure in stages. We will complete only the ground floor in Stage I. The projected cost for this will reach the $630,000 that we have in pledges. We will need to ask you for new pledges in order to complete Stage II- the second floor, and Stage III- the basement.
In the meantime, if our Stewardship of Treasure Renewal this fall succeeds in increasing our offertory at mass, we will be able to renovate our church.
Please be sure to let me know that you support the development of our parish community. Your Stewardship Pledge Commitment Form lets me and the Finance Committee know how to budget from year-to-year.
Peace,
Father Bruce
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