Mission Focus TWO

Mission Focus TWO:
Being a Prayerful Community

 “Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ For at that moment the Lord was going by. A mighty hurricane split the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the hurricane. And after the hurricane, an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, a light murmuring sound. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19: 11 – 13a)

Our challenge

The Church is a place in which people can touch the presence of God amidst the messiness of life. The core of our Parish life is to recognize the day to day ways in which God is with us. In order to do that, we need to be open to the Lord in prayer and in celebration.

Our opportunities

  • Allowing Sacramental moments to touch people’s lives
  • Encourage Parishioners to more actively participate in the Eucharist
  • Provide more opportunities for prayer
  • Provide a variety of prayer experiences and popular devotions
  • Provide ongoing formation of the Parish

Current activities

  • Have the Church open during daylight hours
  • Encourage an attitude of quiet/prayer during community celebrations
  • Celebrate important events in people’s lives
  • Continue the following practices: monthly Anointing of the Sick, presentation of families for Baptism, Children’s Liturgy, Parishioners assisting in the offering of gifts, involvement of the Parish in key moments…anniversaries, birthdays, Baptisms,  and special moments like HSC prayers, continued involvement of school children/families through sacramental programs, the Sacrament of Penance once a week
  • Continue with the following : Meditation Groups, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Vincentian spirituality, Miraculous Medal Novena, Taize Prayer, Cenacle, Rosary and Stations of the Cross

Proposed activities

  • Special prayer or scripture groups during the seasons of the year
  • Schedule a Parish Mission/Renewal Program
  • Have a Parish Retreat over a full weekend
  • Encourage silence at the conclusion of the homily rather than immediately having the collection
  • Organise the following: Video nights on saints and the Church, Study groups on Scripture and Theology, Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, faith development workshops or opportunities
  • Encourage our Priests to focus their homilies on relating the Word of God to the meaning of everyday life

 

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