The Vision

In The Joy of the Gospel, the Holy Father challenges and invites all Catholics to a deeper commitment in our identity not only as disciples, but missionary disciples who have been given the responsibility of what he calls “a new chapter of evangelization marked by joy.”

In particular, he gives very specific instructions to Catholic parishes in the essential task of forming and making missionary disciples. 

"The parish is not an outdated institution; precisely because it possesses great flexibility, it can assume quite different contours depending on the openness and missionary creativity of the pastor and the community... if the parish proves capable of self-renewal and constant adaptivity, it continues to be “the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters.” This presumes that it really is in contact with the homes and the lives of its people and does not become a useless structure out of touch with people or a self-absorbed group made up of a chosen few."

-The Joy of the Gospel, 28

To become a parish where missionary disciples are formed and sent is not an easy task to undertake.  For many of our Catholic brothers and sisters, there is the temptation to see the faith as something purely private and individual.  Yes, the faith can either be accepted or rejected on a personal level.  Yes, we make individual choices to hopefully align our lives and wills with the will of God.  But the faith has always been intended and designed to be lived in community.  This is why Jesus established a Church. This is why Jesus called, formed and sent the Twelve.  For us to live in a personal and intimate friendship with Jesus, the community and support of the Church is not simply a “nice aside”, but necessary.

As we continue to go forward as a parish of missionary disciples who have been formed and sent, we must humbly admit that there is much work to be done.  This responsibility cannot only be carried out by a few.  It must be carried out by all the baptized.  Otherwise, the task is insurmountable.  The weight is too heavy.  Our entire parish must be engaged in the mission entrusted to us by Christ.  There is no other way to put it.

In the final paragraph of chapter one of The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis offers his own appeal, which in my opinion is refreshingly honest, frank and of course, challenging.

Let us go forth, then, let us go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ. Here I repeat for the entire Church what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security…If something should rightly disturb us and trouble our consciences, it is the fact that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ, without a community of faith to support them, without meaning and a goal in life.

-The Joy of the Gospel, 49

Questions to reflect on:

• Do we as a parish community “go forth to offer everyone the life of Jesus Christ?”
• What does it mean for the Church to be “unhealthy from being confined and clinging to its own security?”  What does this look like for us at St. Mary’s?
• Does it rightly “disturb us and trouble our consciences that so many of our brothers and sisters are living without the strength, light and consolation born of friendship with Jesus Christ?”  If this doesn’t “disturb us and trouble our consciences,” why not?
• Do you truly believe that Jesus and the power of the Gospel is the answer to every human need?