Our sacramental programs are all off and running to much success. This weekend a bus load of Confirmation students headed down to Chattham to learn more about their faith. I has given great joy to have met with all our sacramental families discussing their faith life. I am always overwhelmed how busy people are and concerned that the important but not urgent needs of faith and family life can get pushed to the side.
The same thing can happen with our parish family. We can busy doing the urgent things but forget the important things. Pastoral Planning is a way of seeing what is truly important in the midst of a busy parish. Our Parish Pastoral Council is finishing drafting some goals based on the survey we took earlier.
Our three draft goals are:
1) To form a Youth Commission which will evaluate, initiate and sustain comprehensive youth ministry in our cluster. To that end training for our Youth Commission is set for Oct 28 and 29. Joanna Giresi has been put in charge of form this Commission.
2) To initiate a faith enrichment program. Arise: Together in Christ is off and running with 25 groups. Faith enrichment for individuals is coming with Lighthouse CD's soon available at the back of the church.
3) To engage parents bringing their children to baptism and other Sacraments. We have begun Children's Liturgy at all Sunday masses so that we can continue to invite our families to celebrate with us. We hope to create environment were parents and children can learn together the grace and beauty of our faith. All the families bring their children to Eucharist and Confirmation have been engaged to evaluate their faith with Strong Catholic Families; Strong Catholic Youth.
These three Goals will continue to be formalised but in their draft form they have already helped remind us of the things that are important in the great work of God.