Parish Discernment Process
January 15, 2015
My Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, At the conclusion of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus offers these words to the Apostles prior to his Ascension to the Father: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Mt 16:19) In St. Mark’s Gospel we find a similar statement: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole world.” (Mk16:15) In these parting words, Jesus reveals that the true nature of the Church is to be missionary. He offers the great commission to go forth into the world and make disciples by proclaiming the Good News. When we witness to Christ and His Gospel we evangelize and evangelization becomes the primary task of the Church and her members. The term “new evangelization” has been used by Pope Francis and his three predecessors to describe a new reality that has developed since the Second Vatican Council. For centuries evangelization primarily focussed on those who did not know Christ; but the new evangelization also focuses on those who already know Him. It is a call for all baptized members of the Church to deepen their faith and to encourage others to experience a new encounter with Christ. It requires re-proposing the Gospel to people in countries and cultures heavily influenced by secularization. The place where this can be done most effectively is the parish. Throughout the history of the Church, the parish has been the place to gather and be sent. We come together in worship, are strengthened by God’s Word and His Body and Blood, and then are told to go forth and announce the Gospel of the Lord. After fifty-seven years our diocese has changed in many ways. This is quite evident in the life of our forty-six parishes in the Niagara Peninsula and Haldimand County. It is always good to look at those changes periodically and consider their impact regarding the life and mission of our parishes. In light of the Church's call to a "new evangelization", the clergy of our diocese have joined me for several study days to consider how our diocese can rediscover Christ and live the joy of believing. A significant part of this is to focus on our parishes. It has been decided to begin a process throughout the diocese over the next two years to assess the needs of our parishes to help them to become more effective instruments of the new evangelization. The method we are using will give you an opportunity to offer input and be part of this important undertaking. We are beginning with the parishes in Welland. On January 24, 2015 the parishes in Welland will meet at the Catholic Centre to start this discernment process. Each Welland parish was asked to establish a Parish Discernment Committee comprised of parishioners. The pastor and committee will be present at this meeting to begin looking at their parish’s history, significant changes over the years and their needs today and in the future. There will be an experienced facilitator to assist at this meeting. An important outcome will be to determine how best to carry out this assessment in each parish. [caption id="attachment_4673" align="alignright" width="300"]
Most Reverend Gerard Bergie D.D.Bishop of Saint Catharines[/caption] During the past four years as your bishop I have had the great privilege of visiting parishes and schools and meeting many of you personally. I have been very impressed and feel most grateful for the privilege of “shepherding” such a wonderful diocese. We want to build on the faith of our diocese and look to the future with hope. We must look to new ways of bringing Christ to others and proclaiming his good News. I wish to conclude with a quote from Pope Francis which speaks to this task in a clear concise fashion. I offer it to you for reflection. “I invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities. A proposal of goals without an adequate communal search for the means of achieving them will inevitably prove illusory. The important thing is to not walk alone, but to rely on each other as brothers and sisters, and especially under the leadership of the bishops, in a wise and realistic pastoral discernment.” (Evangelii Gaudium) Wishing you God’s continued blessings, I remain Yours sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend Gerard Bergie, D.D. Bishop of St. Catharines