We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

In late 2007 the Holy Spirit called me into service and ministry. At the time I was working in ministry and while I loved ministry I was looking for a job in the medical technology sector. The Lord, however, had other plans for me! For three months the Holy Spirit nagged me, called me to ministry. I had no clue how to answer that call except to continue in my ministry job. I then enrolled in a Masters of Ministry Degree program  where I fell in love with the concept of pastoral planning, my very first credit course. The idea of pastoral planning is to move parishes out of a “maintenance mode” and look more toward being a Church of the future. My very first paper I wrote concerned itself with future of our Church and what that future would look like. On a whim I sent it along to Fr. David Couturier, the then Director of Pastoral Planning at the Archdiocese. He liked my paper and called it spot-on re the future of our church with just one “quibble”- I had written that in the near future that priests will become scarce and that  the laity would need to step up to keep our churches going. Fr. David stated that priests were not going anywhere and there would be enough to go around.

Fast forward to January 2020– the Archdiocese held meetings with clergy, pastoral associates and faith formation leaders to discuss a dire priest shortage where there would not be enough priests to pastor all our parishes. Then the pandemic hit and finances come into play. How will we keep our parishes running? What will the Church of the future look like?

As I read the above quoted scripture from Romans from today’s readings I believe God is calling upon each of us to reflect on how we can rebuild our Church in a post pandemic world. What are our dreams and visions for our local parishes? What are your talents? How will you donate your time? How will you donate goods or monies (treasure)? The Christian concept of Stewardship encompasses time, talent and treasure. All three are needed now and in the future or our local parishes may die. This week I challenge you to dream, and dream big with joy! Dream of our future Church where everyone pitches in with their time, talent or treasure. If you have not volunteered your time til now—consider doing so; if you have not shared your talents— consider doing so; if you have not yet contributed treasure (money or goods) consider doing so! And let us share our hopes and dreams in prayer with the Lord!

Peace be with you, Holly