July 30, 2023
I have a vision for our parishes of Saints Aloysius and Benedict. This vision is simple: a community active and alive in the Holy Spirit, growing in our model of Christ Jesus and inviting to our local communities. Sounds simple, and yet how do we achieve this goal; what will it look like? This is the part that I remind you that it is far from being just about me and the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ that I believe are essential. No community, especially not a parish-based community, can be brought along by the will of one individual, not even the pastor. So, I need to hear from you. I hope to hear from you and spend time with you and your family, getting to know you. This spending time with one another is essential for building up the Body of Christ. I often say that a parish is a family of families, which is complicated enough on its own, but we have two parishes that are in a relationship of mutual dependence on one another. We cannot exist without one another in our own corner of the global Church. This being the case, I hope to meet with, or at least have a phone conversation with, each family of Saints Aloysius and Benedict within my first year as pastor. I know one thing for sure, to achieve this goal, I need your help!
I introduced my online scheduling calendar to both parishes last weekend. This calendar will be essential in making this goal possible. The calendar shows all my available time with some constraints (such as being unable to schedule a time within 18 hours). Otherwise, the calendar is wide open, so I feel that I’m about as available as possible – all that is missing is your reciprocity in completing the circle. You can help in this goal by taking some time to consider what you would be most comfortable with:
· Having me over for lunch or dinner
· Coming to the parish office at Saint Aloysius
· Getting lunch somewhere around town
· Staying after Mass for a few minutes
· Talking with me on the phone
· Writing me an email or a letter
I would be happy with any of these options; however, the more families open to me coming into your home, the more successful I’ll feel. At the same time, I realize that everyone will have different comfort levels regarding having me over. You might think, “Well, what will we talk about?” That’s a great question! Here are a few of the questions that I know I’ll want to ask each of you:
· What do you need most from your pastor?
· What would you like to see happen at your parish?
· What time might work best for you to have an evening Bible Study?
· Are you able or interested in attending daily Mass, adoration or other prayer services?
· How would you like to get involved?
· Who do I need to reach out to that might not be on our parish list or may have left the parish?
· What questions do you have for me?
Depending on your desire to talk, these questions may take a few minutes to cover or might be a whole evening’s worth of conversation. I hope you know this will also be a stretch for me. I’m naturally an introvert, so actively pressing people to take the time to speak with me does not come naturally, and it will take a lot of energy. Still, I know it will be worth it! The covid lockdown began during my first year as pastor at my previous assignment. I lost invaluable time getting to know the people I was asked to serve. This time, I want to be much more proactive in getting to know each of you. Again, I need your help. First, I’ll see who takes the initiative, but I’ll start to reach out to you in the coming months. You can take that first step by emailing, texting, calling, or setting up an appointment. I look forward to speaking with you!
Pastor@stafalcons.com ~ 502-314-1771 – Cell ~ https://fradam.youcanbook.me/
In Christ,
Fr. Adam