Renew My Church: What is it?
Why are we doing it?
Over the next few weeks, this space in the bulletin will focus on the Renew My Church renewal initiative, which our parish is about to begin. The opportunity for renewal is ever-present and is perhaps more important now than ever. Many of us see in our own families and neighborhoods, a sense of brokenness and separation from the life and message of Jesus.
Renew My Church is a response to Christ’s ongoing call to renew His Church. The journey is a primarily spiritual one. The Archdiocese is recommitting the local Church to the gospel commission: to make disciples, to build vital communities of faith, and to inspire a witness that brings the light and hope of Christ to a world in need.
Our parish will be called to examine our own strengths, challenges, and opportunities as a faith community. We then can focus on the spiritual renewal that builds a culture of evangelization in this parish. As we have seen over the past few decades, fewer and fewer people are encountering Jesus and experiencing Him within the parish community. Renewal will involve frank discussions on how to invest in new ways to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in this community.
Over the next few months, we will accompany St. Anne’s in Barrington to discuss, share, pray, and discern the goals and strategies to create a more sustainable, vibrant and vital Catholic presence in our area.
Renewal always begins within our own hearts. I invite you to pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide this process. Please reach out with any questions and feel free to visit RenewMyChurch.org to learn more about the vision for renewal in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
A group of our parishioners will be meeting with a group from St. Anne’s on three Wednesday evenings April 27, May 11 and May 18. These meetings will be facilitated by members of the Archdiocesan Renew My Church committee.
Easter Thanks
On a regular basis we have stopped thanking people individually at the end of Mass because we invariably leave someone out, which I will also do here. So many have worked so hard in the planning and execution of prayer and programs over the past few months, and particularly Lent and the Triduum.
I offer my personal gratitude…
To Sue Geegan, our Director of Human Concerns, for coordinating another successful Lenten Social Justice Project in our partnership with Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation.
To our Teens who presented a very moving Passion Play under the direction of Lynn Daugerdas and Dr. Peg Hanrahan, our Director of Family and Teen Faith.
To our Maintenance team – Bob Clough, Ray Lacek, Oleg Starostin and Jay Kleeman managed by Bernie Schaefer, our Director of Operations.
To the many volunteers who assisted them in set up and coordination of space needs and environment, not only in church but the Social Center and Chapel as well.
To our Liturgical Arts team, particularly Judy Petrie and Kristen Berryhill, our Ushers, Greeters, Proclaimers and Eucharistic Ministers.
To those who work in the Loft providing sound, camera and screen content.
To Michael Patti who directs so much of our digital messaging including webpage and other announcement sources; he and Gene Garcia work together very closely.
To Mary Whiteside, our Director of Adult Faith, who in collaboration with our RCIA team prepare those seeking full communion with the Church.
To Deacon Dennis Brown who provides much guidance and wisdom for all things liturgical, particularly during the many liturgies of Holy Week.
To our choir and band members, singers and guest musicians.
I want to convey a big thanks to Gene Garcia who oversees all Liturgical efforts and shares his creativity in everything from the content of our screens to playing music, singing and directing. He pulls so many elements together to form a beautiful tapestry.
On behalf of Kate O’Brien our Principal, Ro Geisler our Parish Manager, Fr. Kurt Boras and Friar Johnpaul Cafiero we extend our profound gratitude to all who made Easter a very prayerful and sacred experience.