Sunday School for Disciples returns to its regular place – the parish meeting room -- and time – 10am – this Sunday.  We’ve been steadily making our way through Pope Francis’ latest exhortation on Holiness – Rejoice and Be Glad.  Currently we are discussing the Holy Father’s five signs of holiness in today’s world:

1. perseverance, patience and meekness (112-121)
2. joy and a sense of humor (122-128)
3. boldness and passion (129-139)
4. community focus (140-146)
5. grounded in constant prayer (147-157)

 
All are welcome to join us.  With the Church at a breaking point, I think are only hope for moving forward in a positive way is to give ourselves more fully to Christ and the holiness that he desires for us.  This must be a moment of change within our Church.  And the change needs to be led by the laity.  So, Sunday School for Disciples is important, but a honest dialogue within our faith community is probably even more important.   Therefore, I am hoping you can join us later today in Church at 5pm for our next Town Hall Meeting. 
 
Over fifty years ago, the Second Vatican Council prepared the way for change in the Church. One of the first issues considered by the council concerned laypeople and the greater role they could play in parish life. Ultimately, may of the roles that had been exclusively performed by priests before the council, became the pastoral work of the laity: parish administration, sacramental preparation, liturgical training and scheduling, faith formation, catechesis and even limited lay-led liturgies. In most parishes today, it is a lay person who is the point of contact for a parishioner who comes to the church with a pastoral need. The importance of this is hard to understate when describing the changing reality of the American Catholic parish. In 2005—fifty years after the Second Vatican Council—CARA (Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate) reported 39,651 lay ecclesial ministers were working in Catholic parishes.
 
At the Town Hall Meeting, there will be an update on improvements to our Buildings and Grounds.  Some questions to consider: What do you love about our sanctuary?  What do you think might need attention?  Then, in preparation for our Day of Parish Renewal on October 20 ^th, I’d like to discuss the “human resources” that gives such a wonderful vibrancy to our faith community.   We are blessed that so many in our parish understand the vision that the Second Vatican Council had in promoting the role of the laity.  Yet, there is still room for improvement.
 

• What holds parishioners back from taking on a greater role in the life of the parish?
• What first steps could the parish take to ease more people into contributing their time and expertise to the parish?
• If you already volunteer in a parish ministry, what has your experience been when it comes to invitation, training, and mentorship in our parish? How could that be improved? If you are not currently involved in volunteer ministry, what would make you more interested and more involved in the life of the parish?
• What skills do you possess—or do you see in a friend—that if applied to the parish, would make it more welcoming and contribute to its overall vitality?

Please join us for the Town Hall Meeting in Church this Sunday at 5pm.
A Wine and Cheese Reception will follow the Meeting in the Rectory.

Fr. Jerry Ragan