Mission and Mercy
On June 16, I participated in a webinar How A Church On the Move Engages the World: Putting Mission and Mercy in Action featuring Joe Paprocki, DMin, National Consultant for Faith Formation for Loyola Press, a Jesuit Ministry in Chicago
This is an important topic in parishes, community, nation and the world today. Christ was on the move during his ministry, and Pope Francis has called the People of God to go out to the margins. That example and call is for all, especially at the parish level.
You can find the full recording of the webinar at the Roundtable of Diocesan Catholic Social Action Directors www.catholicroundtable.org website.
Introduction: We are one family
Our church is in crises and dealing with the consequences of the sexual abuse scandals and in a sense political crises. How does the Church engage the world again or more effectively and authentically? That engagement and going out will take place at parish level. Joe described parishes as the “ground level place for mercy to move out.”
At the parish level, we are one family that is always reaching out. We are called to invite others to our family and banquet. They all have place at the table. As the song says, “All are welcome in this place.” We may have differences and disagreement, yet we are united by the love of God.
Mercy is always extended. Thomas S. Rains in “Autopsy of a deceased Church” notes Jesus’ ministry was one of gathering and sending out. All dead churches are inward instead outward focused. Bringing the Good News and the Kingdom of God to the marginalized is forgotten; replaced by minutia and fear of reaching out.
How does the Church especially at the parish level be relevant and focus upon bringing Jesus to the people?
Develop a sense of urgency and engagement
Know the people in our parish and community through building relationships. Know who is suffering and their pain. Reach out to them with a sense of urgency. As a parish, we are called to be on fire. We should review our media content – bulletin, website and social media. Is it a means of reaching to the parish and wider community? Does it reflect that reaching out?
Acknowledge our brokenness
We are not perfect, but we are broken. Our lives are not spent looking down, but lifting up and healing. Scrap generic and stale mission statements. Replace them with following – We recognize our brokenness. We have found healing in Jesus. We invite you to join us and do the same. We go out into the world.
Be full of joy
We are free because we are healed. God’s mercy is so great and as source of our joy! Our work in Social Action and Social Justice should be fueled by joy and not merely righteous anger. Anger cannot sustain a positive attitude. The journey has its trials.
I received a parting gift at the end of lay ministry retreat in May at the Griffin Center. Attached was slip of paper –
Consequently, an evangelizer must never look like someone who has just come back from funeral! Let us recover and deepen our enthusiasm, that “delightful and comforting joy of evangelizing, even when it is in tears that we must sow… Pope Francis, Joy of the Gospel. #10
Rejoice in the Lord always, I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Phil 4:4-5
For hymns of joy and music go to www.cathechistsjourney.loyalpress.com
Always inviting
Break down the barriers. Do not presume to know who is coming. Are we getting the word out? Remember that mercy is always welcoming.
Commitment is required
What are you going to do and how can you help? Parishes have pledge cards – time, treasure and talent. Consider discipleship cards – what will individuals do to spread the Good News and build the kingdom of God. “Pay, pray and obey” is no longer is sufficient.
Mercy is our lived out belief. My thoughts – Eucharist is the gathering of the People of God to receive God’s mercy, love and strength. Pope Francis suggests examining the Eucharist with three questions. How does that impact our lives? How do we look at others? Do we experience the grace of forgiveness and are we ready to forgive? How is our community affected?
Integrate and not indoctrinate
Get involved in with faith formation. Our faith is the way of love manifested in the sacraments lived out in the world. Help our young people to learn, lead and do the work of Kingdom. Faith formation is more than memorization. It is sharing the knowledge and acting upon it.
Focus on the Poor
Identify and meet the needs of the poor at St. Juan Diego and beyond.
Choose Life
Promote a consistent ethic of life through all stages of life – conception, birth, childhood, adulthood and end of life. It does not mean all are equivalent, but we are called to address them consistently.
Peace, John M. Kingery