Monday Message, August 16, 2021
KNOW
Here we go again. Like many of you, summer was filled with more work than play, more lists than spare time, and more reimagining than relaxing. Still, we take comfort in knowing our reward will come when we meet our Lord. Sadly, we’ll have to die for that to happen, so perhaps we should focus on the here and now.
Things are heating up here at the Catholic Center and there are a few things for you to have on your calendar this week:
New Leader Orientation is this week – Thursday to be exact. If you started your ministry as a leaders in faith formation in the last five years, please plan to attend. No, it’s not mandatory, and the agenda will be quite fluid, but it will be a good chance for us to connect in person and to discuss the items that should be on the forefront of your to-do lists.
The Catechetical Summit is next week. If you have not responded yet, please do. Several great things will happen at that meeting. First, we will hear from a statistician about the catechetical inventory that was part of the initial formation for catechists and school teachers. I got a preview this morning and I think you will really enjoy that presentation. If you want a report specific to your parish, you will need to make sure all your catechists have completed formation.
Second, the Bishop and I will lead a conversation on what I am calling our non-negotiable elements of faith formation. We realize that it’s not enough to ask parishes to reimagine formation, we must offer some parameters for the reimagining process itself.
Finally, you will be among the first to hear that The Leadership Institute is reimagining itself. The logo, website, and all that we do will remain the same, but our new identity will convey more appropriately all we offer and all we can do together to move towards a day when encounter + formation = discipleship. Stay tuned.
Next week is our first virtual gathering (our parish leader check ins), so mark your calendar and find the link here. You will notice that I did not restart the count when labeling our meetings – a subtle sign that our work continues, it never begins again.
REFLECT
“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favour, you shall reach the goal.”
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
LAUGH
