Archbishop Cupich wants your input!
Just as Pope Francis asked Catholics across the globe for their input prior to the Synod of Bishops meetings in 2014 and 2015, Archbishop Cupich is asking for your help as the Archdiocese begins a new listening phase of this important effort.
Please take time to respond to a survey designed to help Archbishop Cupich and the Archdiocese better understand our perspectives. We encourage you to complete the survey online. Please call the Parish Office at 773.327.8955 to receive a paper copy in the mail. The survey is available at: www.archchicago.org/renew
From Archbishop Cupich's column in the Catholic New World: "Americans are known as a people who dream, and dream big. As a country of immigrants, dreaming is in our national DNA. And just as dreaming big has distinguished us as Americans, it has also marked the Catholic Church in this country, particularly in this archdiocese.
As the first American pope and a son of immigrants, Pope Francis is calling the entire Church to dream, and dream big. He wrote in "The Joy of the Gospel": "I dream of a 'missionary option,' that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the church's customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today's world rather than for her self-preservation." I have long shared this dream. While measuring parish vitality is complex, if I were asked to describe a parish of my dreams, it would be a parish that adopts and pursues these seven priorities:
1) We bring people to Christ.
2) We support each other in knowing Christ more deeply.
3) We encounter Christ and receive nourishment through prayer and worship.
4) We build bonds among each other to sustain our life in Christ.
5) We transform the lives of others through service as Christ's missionary disciples.
6) We respond to the call to holiness by journeying together with Christ.
7) We take responsibility for administration and leadership of the parish as good stewards of the gifts Christ has entrusted to us.
This is the dream I have for all our parishes, and why I am inviting everyone in the Archdiocese of Chicago to join me in a multi-year planning process to make it a reality.
Please find the full text of Archbishop Cupich's article
here.
Please Pray for "Renew My Church"
Lord Jesus, you speak to us today,
as you spoke to holy men and women
who have gone before us.
In every age and in our own time,
you call to us and say: Renew My Church.
Pour out the gift of your Holy Spirit upon us,
and so enable us
to hear you clearly
to listen to each other attentively
to imagine our future boldly
to discern your direction wisely
to persevere in your holy will courageously
to stay together in charity
to surrender our own plans readily
to embrace the greater good
to hand on your gifts to future generations.
May we remain in the holy company of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, the apostles, and all the saints.
May their example and presence
inspire us with patient confidence
in the work of your grace.
We ask this of you who live and reign
with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
forever and ever. Amen
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