Pause, Pray, Discern |
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Pope Leo convened an Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals on January 7 for a time of prayer and discernment primarily on the topics of synodality and evangelization. Noting that the word consistory means "to stop," he said, “We have set aside our activities for a time and renounced even important commitments, so as to come together to discern what the Lord asks of us for the good of His people."
While the consistory focused on matters of importance to the Universal Church, the pope's remarks and the process of the gathering of cardinals provides a model and encouragement for the Church more broadly, including in the life and functioning of parish and Family leadership groups such as pastoral councils and Family Leadership Teams. |
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As part of the Beacons of Light pastoral planning process to best arrange our many resources – human, financial, physical – to better pursue the God-given mission of sharing the Gospel throughout our archdiocese, all Families of Parishes will participate in Family Unity Discernment, including single-parish Families and those Families who have already unified canonically. This is a comprehensive process that will begin in Spring 2026 and unfold deanery by deanery.
More details will be available soon, but in the meantime, you can find general information and the tools necessary to begin this work here so you have a head start on the process. |
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With a generous 5-year grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the National Community of Catechetical Leaders (NCCL) and the Loyola Institute for Ministry have designed the Pathways toward a Thriving Parish project to help parishes create their own paths toward a thriving, vital community of faith that is living its mission in today’s world. Learn More and Register |
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Since the spring, the archdiocesan Communications Department has built a system to house photos and other images using a platform called Canto. Canto serves as a central repository for more than 9,000 photos to date. One point person from each Family of Parishes should sign up using the link below so Families may search, download and use content in your communications. Contact archdiocese Photography Coordinator Mary Fleisher with any questions. Register here > |
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One of the most fundamental things Family leaders can do is to pray together. Two prayer resource are available for Family Leadership Teams and other groups of leaders to use each month, one with reflection on the Sunday readings and a second that includes an excerpt from a Church document or homily by Pope Leo. Prayer Resources > |
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Sharing Christmas joy |
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The Divine Mercy Family of Parishes was blessed this Christmas to distribute copies of The Forgotten Way by Matthew Kelly as a spiritual gift to parishioners and visitors attending eight Christmas Masses. The Stewardship Team began the initiative through prayer, direct invitation, and informational sessions that clearly communicated both the purpose and the logistics of the program.
Ministry members were given an advance copy of the book and encouraged to prayerfully consider volunteering at the Mass they planned to attend with their families and to invite family members and friends to participate alongside them. Several overview meetings were held that were both instructional and inspirational, helping volunteers understand their role in the broader stewardship vision.
The initiative was extremely successful, with all 2,200 books distributed to Christmas Mass attendees. At two parishes, an additional book was shared once supplies were exhausted. Volunteers expressed appreciation for the organization, clarity, and joyful spirit of stewardship experienced throughout the event. The team found that when stewardship is rooted in prayer and shared through personal invitation, participation and joy naturally follow. |
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“I never truly appreciated the power of our speech before reading The Forgotten Way book and how controlling my speech can lead to holiness. Everyone should read this book. Through the personal distribution of The Forgotten Way book at our Christmas Masses our team of volunteers and our parishioners experienced the joyful spirit of stewardship." |
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- Heidi Heinrich, Finance and Stewardship Manager, Divine Mercy Family of Parishes |
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The Lord Will Raise Them Up |
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Feb. 3 10:45- Noon
Feb. 4 1:30-2:45
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As the Church receives a new translation of the ritual book for pastoral care of the sick and their anointing, join this online gathering of priests, deacons, and lay ministers engaged in pastoral care of the sick.
Learn More and RSVP
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Chrism Mass |
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March 31 4:00pm |
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Join Archbishop Casey and the priests and faithful of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for the annual Chrism Mass, celebrated on Holy Tuesday. In this once-a-year Holy Week liturgy, the archbishop will bless the Oils of the Sick and Catechumens and consecrate the Sacred Chrism to be used in sacramental celebrations throughout the archdiocese in the coming year. The priests will also renew the promises made at their ordination. All are welcome (especially those recently anointed or initiated, or those preparing for Christian Initiation in the coming year) to share in this unique liturgy, and it’s a great opportunity for families to experience our local Church gathered in prayer!
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100 East Eighth Street | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 | CatholicAOC.org |
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