Pastor's Page:
Our Commitment to the Vision and Practice of Lifelong Growth in Christian Faith(US Bishops)August 15 ,2010
The document of our US bishops, "Our Hearts Were Burning within Us", is a pastoral plan for adult faith formation.
Implementing the plan on the parish level begins with the pastor. He is challenged to personally model mature adult faith and be its primary advocate in the parish. It is his responsibility to oversee the growth in faith of parishioners throughout their lives. Through his collaboration with the Pastoral Council, Staff and parish committees, his homilies and continual encouragement for everyone to get involved in the mission of the parish, the pastor establishes policies and procedures that give priority to ongoing adult faith formation.
Celebrating the sacraments, teaching and preaching are the primary concerns of a parish priest. Because of his teaching role, the pastor is to see that the parish budget funds the staffing and the resourcing for adult faith formation.
The Parish Staff, working closely with the pastor, also supports ongoing adult faith formation. Together with the pastoral Council and other leaders of the parish they make this ministry integral to the parish mission and a support for all other ministries.
If our communal discernment this summer leads us to continue plans for the building of a Parish Center, it will provide the facilities we need where we can comfortably gather, socialize and learn together about Christ and our church in small and large groups. A community, young and old, needs space to meet together and mature in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. Adult faith formation is given priority when such a building exists.
If we decide to construct a church, we will follow that project with the renovation of our current church building so that it may become a Community Center with classrooms and offices and rooms available that are warm and inviting.
"To do their part, adult Catholics must be mature in faith and well-equipped to share the gospel, promoting it in every family Circle, in every church gathering, in every place of work, and in every public forum. They must be women and men of prayer whose faith is alive and vital, grounded in a deep commitment to the person and message of Jesus."
("Our Hearts Were Burning within Us"- USCCB)
Peace,
Father Bruce
|
