The 8 Work Groups finalized their months of work on June 29th when they presented their final recommendations to the other groups as well as to Fr. Gurnick. This completes the Work Group stage of the process. In July and August Fr. Gurnick will be meeting with councils, committees, and staff from both parishes to discern our path from here. Look for another Town Hall Meeting this fall so the parishes can hear our proposal before it is sent to Bishop Malesic awaiting his official decree. As always, please send questions or comments to parishcollaboration44113@gmail.com.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended one or both days of our Town Hall Meeting on June 12th and 19th. If you would like to view the presentations or read the Working Group Summary sheets, please visit stpatrickbridge.org/2-day-town-hall-information/

If you would like to submit your feedback or questions via e-mail, please send all comments to parishcollaboration44113@gmail.com.

The Working Groups will present their final recommendations to Fr. Gurnick based on the feedback you send, so please let us know your thoughts!

 

The Values that the CSC identified as part of our Organizational Strategic Alignment Values define how we want to live and act as disciples of Jesus Christ. Each of these phrases carries a great deal of weight and meaning in our call to Discipleship. Here are some beginning reflections on how we might live out these values- please add your own! Revitalizing our Church– How do I give new life to my Parish? Do I convey positive energy and hope to others? Renewing our Faith– Do I nurture my own life in the Spirit? Do I ask for and practice the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Welcoming All– What would it be like for me to walk into St. Pat’s or St. Malachi’s for the first time? How would that feel? What would I want/need? Respecting All– In this Age of “Erasing” people who think differently than I do, how do we create a culture that gives due regard to others’ feelings, rights, wishes? Do I realize that I can learn a great deal from people who think differently from us? Serving All– Following Jesus’ example at the Last Supper, do we offer a smile to a stranger, speak a consoling word to a distraught person, offer to help a person who seems lost or confused? The Washing of the Feet can take many forms. We just need to be open and alert to the many needs we see around us. These are the Values that we aspire to live out in our daily lives. If we ACT with these Values in our hearts and minds, others will hopefully say, “WOW! Look at those Disciples!!!”

 

JUNE 12

6:30 -8:30PM

COME HEAR ALL 8 WORK GROUPS PRESENT THEIR DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS TO PARISHIONERS

 

ACTIVE PRAYER-GUIDED LISTENING SESSION FOR HOME-BASED REFLECTION

 

THIS SESSION WILL BE RECORDED AND SHARED FOR FURTHER VIEWING

JUNE 19

6:30 -8:30PM

HAVING VIEWED THE MEETING ON THE 12TH (IN PERSON OR FROM THE RECORDING)

BRING YOUR QUESTIONS TO ADDRESS EACH WORK GROUP INDIVIDUALLY

 

GROUPS WILL HAVE A TABLE READY TO LISTEN TO PARISHIONER QUESTIONS

 

OPEN HOUSE FORMAT

BOTH MEETINGS WILLBE HELD AT THE ST. MALACHI LOWER HALL DUE TO AVAILABILITY OF AIR CONDITIONED SPACE

Each of the next few weeks will focus on an element of the Strategic Values that guide this process.

Week 1: Core Purpose (The Noble Reason we do what we do):  TO LIVE AND INSPIRE DISCIPLESHIP IN CHRIST’S LOVE

The word “disciple” comes from the Greek word “manthanein” meaning to LEARN (think Math!) – Fr. Mallon; Divine Renovation (p.20).In reflecting on our Collaboration process so far, most of us have a sense of becoming learners again! Certainly, the Work Groups are delving into their topics and learning a great deal! But are EACH of us, other parishioners and Work Group alike, delving more deeply and intentionally into our relationship with Jesus Christ? Are we taking some time to spend with Him in quiet prayer? Are we reflecting on the beautiful Scriptures of the Easter Season? Are we walking the Road to Emmaus with others, sharing with them what we are learning about Jesus, ourselves and each other along the way?
Our Core Purpose in this whole process is to live more deeply in Christ’s Love and inspire others to do the same! Let’s all take a breath and remember our Core Purpose as we go about our busy lives! When we are at meetings, at Mass, or helping with something else, let’s take a moment to remember Who calls us to this work and these relationships! Let’s Remember His Great Love for us and Give Thanks that we have been called to Discipleship and that we’re called to do it together! Have a good week as you live and inspire discipleship, nourished in Christ’s Love.

 

 

 

All 8 Working Groups have begun meeting with the goal of making short and long term recommendations regarding how our two parishes will be working together. Staff of both St. Pat’s and St. Malachi have been very busy preparing documents, research, and financial figures for the Work Groups so they can build an accurate picture of current parish life on both campuses. Work Groups will continue meeting after Holy Week and their topics include Communications, Staffing & Administration, Parish Council, Finances/Budget, Liturgy/Worship, Physical Plant/Facilities, Faith Formation & Spiritual Life, and Ministries of Charity.

If you have any questions or comments for these groups, please send them to parishcollaboration44113@gmail.com and we ask you to keep this process and those involved in your prayers.

 

Last Saturday the Collaboration Work Groups had their launch day. Work Group topics include Communication, Staffing and Administration, Parish Council, Finances/Budget, Liturgy/Worship, Physical Plant/Facilities, Faith Formation & Spiritual Life, and Ministries of Charity. Please see the insert in this week’s bulletin regarding that meeting as well as an explanation of the difference between a parish and an oratory, as well as the name of the chairperson for each group. Please send any and all questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Collaboration to parishcollaboration44113@gmail.com.