There was a meeting at Saint Mary's this evening to discuss various things to do with 'Our Faith', how we should nurture it, live it, express it, and pass it on, individually and as a parish. If you missed it, well don't worry yourself about it, as this one was the first of many that will be arranged over the next twelve months, and beyond, if we are to take our faith seriously.
Fit for Mission: Revisited
It was not surprising to find, during the meeting, that we had all forgotten about the "Sacramental Priorities" and "Mission Priorities" we had set as a target in 2008. Perhaps we were not truly focused as a parish at that time. Perhaps we did not really appreciate what was being discussed, about diminishing numbers of church goers, lack of priests, merging parishes, and that it would not happen to us and being isolated, was as far away from Great Eccleston as the moon is from the earth. The meeting this evening made us realise that, what was spoken about four years ago, is fast becomming a reality. But what of those Spiritual and Mission Priorities? Well here they are for your perusal and comments.
Sacramental Priority
- Establish a Liturgy committee and Property management team.
- Develop welcoming ministry, particularly encouraging visits from caravanners during holidays.
- Develop social activities.
- Develop lay involvement in liturgical ministries.
- Establish a music group involving young people.
- Identify and train lay catechists, particularly for baptism and marriage preparation.
- Develop ongoing formation.
- Establish a faith sharing/RCIA group.
- Develop the ministry for fostering vocations
Mission Priority
- The parish plans to develop its mission with families through its relationship with St Mary’s Primary School.
- Establish a faith focused youth group.
- Develop its mission with older people and the sick and housebound.
- The parish is looking into the possibility of creating an area at the back of church for social activity after Mass.
Porta Fidei (The door of Faith)
The “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It begins with baptism (cf. Rom 6:4), through which we can address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to draw those who believe in him into his own glory (cf. Jn 17:22). To profess faith in the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is to believe in one God who is Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:8): the Father, who in the fullness of time sent his Son for our salvation; Jesus Christ, who in the mystery of his death and resurrection redeemed the world; the Holy Spirit, who leads the Church across the centuries as we await the Lord’s glorious return...read more
