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As we near the end of May and summer days approach, we are also near the end of one year of Beacons of Light...one year as part of a Family of Parishes...one year of pastoral planning to be a more mission-focused faith community, one year of getting to know one another, forming leaders, and beginning new relationships among parishes and parishioners.
In his recent letter to pastors, Archbishop Schnurr noted that Beacons of Light is a 5-year process, and so there is no need to rush through. Phase 1 is not meant to be only one calendar year; it may take until the end of 2023 to really feel finished with Phase 1.
But
Archbishop also notes that "a stated goal of Beacons of Light is the canonical unification of each Family of Parishes, creating vital, mission-focused communities of faith...no one should think that if they procrastinate long enough that the goalposts will be moved and canonical unification will no longer be required."
As we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in these waning days of Eastertide, let's ask for God's guidance on this journey from maintenance to mission. Let's persevere in our efforts to form parishes which are truly beacons of Christ's light to the world!
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GRATEFUL DISCIPLES
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Parish Stewardship
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Nearly 40 parish leaders - pastors and stewardship champions - gathered on May 11 at St. John the Evangelist in West Chester to focus on the meaning of parish stewardship and their role in doing so among their Family of Parishes.
Each pastor is asked to name a Stewardship Champion for his Family of Parishes.
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| LEARN MORE |
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Each Family of Parishes will submit a report on the first year of pastoral planning to Archbishop Schnurr by July 1. Pastors should have
received a link to their online reporting tool. Read More >
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The General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops has called for each diocese to have a “moment of prayer” for the Synod on Synodality on Weds,
May 31, the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Archbishop Schnurr asks that each parish, school, and Catholic institution in the archdiocese have a special moment of prayer on Weds, May 31. Read More >
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Nearly a quarter of Americans say they used to follow a different religious tradition or denomination than the one they practice now — a
percentage that keeps growing, a new survey says. Read More >
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NEW: Resources for Modification of Parishes
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New resources are now available to support Families of Parishes in coming together as one canonical parish. You'll find information about canonical processes, closure of church buildings, alienation of property, and more. Resources include videos, FAQs, step by step guidance to bring parishes together as one new canonical parish, information about how to close a church building, downloadable worksheets, financial tools, and more.
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"By September 1, 2022, every Family of Parishes must form a Planning Team, led by the pastor, to coordinate pastoral planning geared toward the unification of the Family by June 30, 2027.”
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- Parameter 3, Beacons of Light
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| RESOURCES |
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Join the DIvine Renovation team online for a discussion of why mission-focused parishes need BOTH management AND leadership. Learn more.
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Management and Leadership
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June 13
1p ET Online
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Workshop for Parish Communicators
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August 2023 - TBA
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Parish communicators should look in the coming weeks for more information on the 2nd annual Workshop for Parish Communicators to be held in both Cincinnati and Dayton this coming August. More details soon!
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100 East Eighth Street | Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 | CatholicAOC.org
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