The Paschal Mystery and Uniqueness

I am prone to mistakes. Mistakes bother me less than they did in the past. In thepast they brought to mind and heart feelings of shame and unworthiness, and I would have been less likely to mention them. Now a days, they are just a part of life, wonderfully more assured am I of my “lovedness” and worthiness in Jesus.  In addition to missing offering thanks for Katie Chapman two weeks ago related to the ambo at The Church of the Nativity, this week I beg  Jeff Warren’s, Nativity’s Assistant Principal, pardon for missing his name on the list of Crescent Parishes’ current Leadership Team in last week’s bulletin. Jeff is a recent addition to the Leadership Team with, Principal, Lisa McCoy’s return from maternity leave.  Jeff is a very squared away educator for many years at Elder and chair of the religion department, a newly hired addition to the Nativity community as of last summer.  He was baptized by fire as his first sixth months as a new vice-principal found him leading the community as acting principal until Lisa returned. Sorry, Jeff, for not including you on the list of ten leadership team members!

A Leaner Crescent Parishes Leadership Team (PLT)

Speaking of the PLT, when I asked current members of the PLT to be part of the team, I made it clear to them that the current group would be temporary. For, a team of ten members is too large. Our hoped for number of team members is about six. We are in a process of determining who those team members will be.

Holy Week Approaches

It won’t be long before we are celebrating the most holy week of the Church’s year, beginning April 2. Please see the bulletin for liturgy times/places and note that the Good Friday offertory will be given, as usual, to the churches of the Holy Land. Thanks to those who make an offering!

An Opportunity to Live the Paschal Mystery

With Beacons of Light, built into Holy Week this year and for the future will be many opportunities to embrace the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus, also called the Paschal Mystery. Do you know what the new crosses of Holy Week are for us this year?  Clearly, as Beacons of Light would have us do, the new work of unity and sacrifice for this year (and future years) is to sacrifice our own individual liturgies to have united Triduum liturgies. In other words, we will have one liturgy in each location.  Thanks to parishioners who embrace this cross and come to celebrate Triduum liturgies with each other. This is a new and blessed unity! Thanks to those who do so!  Please see the bulletin for more information about the fact that the Good Friday offering goes to support the churches of the Holy Land.

Uniqueness and the Bulletin

This Sunday marks the third edition of our newly crafted Crescent Parishescombined bulletin! Having been pastor of multiple parishes from when I was first made pastor (then, youngest pastor in the Archdiocese) I know how important a unified bulletin is. It helps members of all parishes learn more about each other and offers a continual call to consider attending Mass at another family parish or some event happening in our entire family.  Thanks to Ginny, Crescent Manager of Communications, who never eats lunch on Monday’s before about 3pm because she is working feverishly to finish and send the bulletin to one of our three publishers!! Thanks also to administrative assistants and bulletin helpers, Sabrina Burton-Simonson, Sandy Schleibaum, Linda Smith, and Catherine Reutter.  I have heard many good reports from parishioners about how well they like the bulletin. I have also heard a few discouraging words, particularly related to feelings of fear about how “my parish’s uniqueness is being swallowed up” by one bulletin.  I certainly acknowledge the fear a combined bulletin stirs. At the same time, I ask parishioners to let wisdom and reasonableness win the day! For our bulletin has both combined dimensions and individual parish sections.  What is more, remember that any uniqueness we have as individuals or parishes is a gift that is meant to be shared to benefit the entire Body of Christ and further theKingdom of God. The combined bulletin is both a simple and profound way to share and be blessed. Thanks to those who are being open to the new combined bulletin and the many unities that will be coming our way!!

Sincerely and with Love in Christ,
Fr. Pat