Being Church

I just returned from three weeks in Australia. Our events were wonderful experiences of sharing together our love of Christ and the Church and our desire to serve the Lord with gladness as disciples and stewards. We found that, while each parish or diocese has its particular circumstances, what we hold in common is indeed very powerful -- God's love for us in Christ through the Spirit!

My time in Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, and Campbelltown was truly a blessing. Let us connect and stay connected in all the ways we are able, including this little blog, no matter where we live. We have much to learn from one another, and so much to celebrate.

What do you think?

Finding Hope

Just returning from time with people in the dioceses of Joliet, IL and Winona, MN, I am struck by the way we can find the hope of Christ when we are with each other. In both groups, there were moments of serious conversation, but also giggles, smiles, and promises to stay connected in support of one another. How wonderful that now, through the availability of email, cell phones and blogs we are able to be a community of people, no matter how many miles or years of experience may separate us.

What brings you hope? How are you supported by another in ministry? How do you support others in ministry?

The Whole Parish

Almost a year ago, my husband, daughter and I moved to Indianapolis; my husband changed offices within the same company, but of course the people and projects here are different from those that were part of his life in Cincinnati; our daughter began college; we found a smaller house with less yard to maintain, but a third-car garage for Steve's woodshop; I left the staff of the parish that had been my life for the last twelve years, and began writing and speaking full-time. We have experienced much change, most of it good; we have found the truth in the fact that "good stress" is still stress; and I have learned much about the role of the faith community in my life as a person, and as a person of ministry.

The General Directory for Catechesis says "The Christian community is in herself living catechesis." This past year has led me to a deeper appreciation of this statement. Our Catholic community life is rich and diverse; we experience the mysteries of God's love for us embodied in the flesh and blood of Christ in the Eucharist and the flesh and blood of the people who are the Body of Christ.

We who share responsibility for shaping life within our parish or diocese will do well to reflect on the formative nature of the community, and to find opportunities to enhance our life together as Christ's people, so that the whole parish may be a living witness to Christ's loving presence in our world.

What do you think? What does your experience tell you?

Engagement and Strengths

It seems like everyone is talking about engagement and strengths these days. Maybe the interest is being generated through diocesan days. Perhaps it's the up-coming NCCL conference where the participants have been sent Living Your Strengths books and have been asked to do StrengthsFinder in advance, and where general sessions will be devoted to these two important topics. Or maybe the "word" among parish and diocesan leaders is spreading, that those who are fostering engagement and are helping people to discover their God-given talents are finding new life and renewed energy as a result. Whatever the reason, it is exciting to be part of this process in the Church.

Recently I talked with a friend and colleague about all of this. I explained that becoming more aware of my own talents and intentionally developing and offering them has changed my life. His first response was, "Wait! I think I know you well enough to know that you've always been pretty self-aware and reflective. Now you're telling me that an online questionnaire really made a difference?" The truth is, it has! It wasn't that I was surprised by my list of my Top 5 themes of talent, but seeing them in print, and reflecting on my experience of these talents helped me to really appreciate the gifts God has given me, and I was much more understanding of myself about the things that I don't do as well -- the task has been to find ways to operate from the best of who I am, and to partner with others to accomplish what needs to be done that requires gifts that I don't have in as great a degree. What a wonderful way to look at life, and to celebrate who we are as children of God!

So I am anxious to head to Dearborn for NCCL. I look forward to seeing old friends and sharing our stories of our talents. I anticipate with joy the opportunity to share with others my passion for building and enhancing engagement in our parishes and dioceses, and I am eager to hear your thoughts about all of this.

What do you think?

What Difference Does it Make?

Those of us who have experienced or are experiencing a deeply engaged parish, one in which people really feel they belong, know the difference engagement makes. Often, though, it takes a story or two to paint the picture of engagement for others.

What difference does belonging make in your life? Share your story here.

Grow and Go!

I have just returned from Green Bay, WI followed by Sacramento, CA. It would seem at first glance that these are two very different places, yet the folks in both expressed similar dreams and hopes for their people, and similar desires to be effective leaders at this time in our Church's life. Wonderfully, people in both places also said it seems to them that we are at a graced moment in time; while there are obvious and many challenges in our parishes and dioceses, there also seems a renewed life and focus that can be of benefit in the coming months and years.

People spoke of their hope that all in their community will experience Christ and will have an openness to lifelong conversion in Christ;

They hope that people of all ages, ethnic groups, and stages of faith will find ways to come together as the Body of Christ;

They desire ways to encourage engagement among their members, and are now ready to intentionally shape their life together to encourage such engagement;

They hope that younger adults will find ministry as life-giving as they do;

They find strength in each other and plan to continue to network to enhance learning.

In the words of Fr. Tamayo, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Elk Grove, CA, "we need to grow, and go!" Growing together as Christ's people necessarily calls us out in mission -- we need to grow, and go, out to all the world in love, mercy, and service.

What comes to mind for you?

Gratitude and Generosity: Now is the Time!

Last week during a presentation, I shared my conviction that we as pastoral leaders need to form people toward gratitude for the abundance of our blessings, and toward generosity as a response to God's gracious goodness. I said that it seemed that many seem to feel a sense of entitlement, saying "I worked for what I have, I am entitled to it."

Last week's group reacted energetically, with overt groans and heads bobbing. It felt as though I had named something that is on people's minds and in their hearts, pressing upon us as a critical need in a time of social and cultural upheaval.

So I wonder, how are you fostering an attitude of gratitude in your own life at this time? How are you encouraging others to do so? In what ways are you and those around you responding in generosity?