Pastor's Pen - January 1, 2017

It’s New Years. It’s a time for possibilities and a time of transition from one year to another. Unfortunately for these communities, it is also a time of transition from a familiar priest to a new priest to guide you. As with so many other times in our lives we have a choice as to how we will approach the upcoming time in our lives.

Again, I say it is a time for possibilities for dreaming of what can be. What do you want next year to look like? Some would call this visioning (an important step in accomplishing). As I look into my heart and think of what I would want a parish community to look like I think of the following:

 A community of welcome that also invites others to come
 A community that steps up when needs are identified both externally and internally through works, prayer and financial giving.
 A community that treats each other like family.
 A community that comes to Mass to celebrate with whatever they have, participating fully in the midst of trials and joy.
 A community that goes forth and proclaims the Gospel in whatever way they can through actions and words.
 A community with a beautiful and warm church that only increases in beauty and warmth when the people begin to enter and fill the pews.
 A community that is overflowing with the love of God.
 A community with children and noise and singing and wiggling and awe.

I am sure there is so much more, but I only have so much room in the bulletin. I include this reflection that I have used many times before. The first time I heard this and still today, I feel it speaks directly to me and challenges me to something more for my church community.
 
Fr. Chuck