As I return from a month away from the parish for various reasons, (vacation, conference, and retreat) I am reflecting on the various ways I have encountered the church.
In England, at the conference for Divine Renovation (DR), there were people from 19 countries, 230 parishes, and 71 dioceses. All have the same desire to equip their parishes to become missional and capable of introducing people to Jesus to foster an encounter with Him and so change their lives and the life of the church. We were reminded that in 2033, the 2,000th anniversary of the resurrection event will be remembered. The DR leaders hope that there will be 33,000 parishes that adopt the principles of Divine Renovation for the purpose of growing the church. I remind you that 33,000 represents 16% of all the parishes in the world and is considered the tipping point for change.
I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with Father James Mallon, the founder of the movement, and the worldwide president, Dan O’Rourke. Both are passionate about what they are doing and are gracious and humble about their success. I met Nicky Gumbel, the founder of Alpha. That was a wonderful moment in a week of great moments.
I also had a brief conversation with Sister Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, who was a principal speaker. She was phenomenal, has a great story, and was very inspirational.
The conference itself was very well done and there were several highlight experiences.
Of course, the conversations that we have and the smaller workshops that were offered were also great opportunities to hear what the implementation of the principles of DR look like at the local level with people working and volunteering in the church. What was revealed to me in the 4 workshops I attended and in conversations at dinner and lunch is that the problems and challenges we face are not much different than others around the world, whether that is in Denver, Toronto, the Dominican Republic, Ireland or England.
This week I am returning from a time of retreat and contemplation. I was with my spiritual director in a house near the ocean in Cohasset. It was an opportunity to reflect and celebrate that this year I have been ordained for 36 years. I am grateful to and humbled by the God of great love and compassion who foolishly called me to the priesthood.
Our Catholic Appeal number is almost completed. At this writing, we are at $49,662.00 which is 99% of our goal. Thanks again for your generosity and support of the Cardinal. I anticipate that we will have met the goal by the end of the year.
Thanks to Father Jose Pimentel for his service to the parish during my time away. Thanks to all those who helped him while he was here.
Thanks also to Father Jim Ronan for his presence with us last week. I hope all will be able to respond to his message.
Congratulations to two couples married at our parish this weekend. Allison Kapoli and Andrew Allen, Januario Carneiro and Juliette Erath, we wish you great happiness and a lifetime of love and joy together.
Peace,
Father Murray
Building news: We anticipate that we will shortly have the new Ten Commandments and Beatitudes remounted on a metal frame that will display both messages. We are a people of the written word and sacraments, and our roots are in the first covenant God made with Moses. Jesus challenges us even further in the new covenant, and these two together are a great way to communicate part of our message to the thousands of people who visit us every summer and fall. We also hope to have some roots removed and some more grass planted to finish the lawns.