The Trail Ahead
Parish Mission Update
September 2021
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I hope and pray that this second issue of “The Trail Ahead,” our bi-monthly newsletter on our parish mission, finds you well. Debbie sent the first one in July and now it's my turn. Watch out!
As you can see out there…Covid, the roads, the smoke and fire…this Labor Day doesn't find our reality improved over last year. But even amid all that, I have good news for you.
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The Pastoral Council continues its efforts on creating a working plan for our parish, a plan that is not rushed or superficial, but a realistic strategy to help all of us take our parish to the next level.
As I’ve said before, our parish is exceptional, the most vibrant and dynamic faith community I’ve ever called home.
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That, I believe, makes us ready to take the next step in our transformation into what we are, the Body of Christ. You might not even realize that you, as God’s people, have already been transformed or changed into something that you were not before. |
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To be transformed means to be changed from within into something that we want to be, more and more, just as the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ during the Eucharistic Celebration or the water into wine at the wedding of Cana. Our ongoing transformation is a lifelong process, where, journeying together, we grow in love for Christ and one another.
In his letter to the Galatians Saint Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). Saint Paul himself went through that process of transformation of dying to himself so that Christ could live in him.
In years past, before I came to Saint Francis, you worked under Fr. Bill’s pastoral leadership on discipleship, and you accomplished a lot in this area. Now we need to move on to the next level—which is mission. Before Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the Good News, he spent three years teaching them, praying with them, sending them out to “practice,” correcting them. When they were ready, he sent them out to the ends of the world. They became missionaries.
Do not worry. I am not sending you any further than the North Lake Tahoe area. In fact, “mission” doesn’t imply going far. The word mission comes from the Latin word mission, meaning “act of sending,” or mittere, meaning “to send.”
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Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations...
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Being mission-driven is more about acting with purpose where you are. Missionary disciples do not see themselves as having a mission but understand they themselves are the mission. As Pope Francis reminds us, mission is “at once a passion for Jesus and a passion for his people.” (Evangelii Gaudium, #268)
It is our hope as we start this new school year that we all embrace formation. Not only will programs or studies help prepare us, but by the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself tells us that what we do is not our own work, project, or mission. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Thus, we are not to be afraid; we are not abandoned to our own good or bad luck. Instead, we are to place ourselves in God’s hands while we take every human step and opportunity to be formed into what God wants us to be. Saint Paul reminds us about that when he told the Corinthians, “But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us” (II Cor 4:7).
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Formation is the process of preparing people for the mission, which comes about through relationship with Christ. I invite all of you to join me in this formation journey that we are mapping out and slowly beginning, a plan intended to transform not only our personal lives, but also with God’s help, the lives of those who are going to be touched by our preaching, testimony, works of mercy, and communal life. |
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I offer this step for you to walk with me: that every one of you dedicate just 30 minutes to Adoration one Wednesday each month. United through the Eucharist, let us strive together, as the faith-filled community of St. Francis, to grow closer to Jesus Christ.
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I would like to leave you with a few notes on our current parish life:
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday is gaining momentum in our parish but we still need more adorers. If you’re wondering what you’re supposed to do in adoration, check out this 5-minute video with Fr. Josh Johnson.
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Our bilingual Mass on Sunday at 11:00 am has been a big success for our parish. I must commend you on your response to this Mass; it means a lot to me. Thank you for embracing the change.
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Our formation week for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd went very well and we are excited about bringing this program to our religious education.
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On September, 7:00 pm, you can hear how we are doing pastorally and financially by attending our “State of the Parish” gathering open to all parishioners.
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On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, September 27 - 29, 7:00-8:00 pm, come enjoy our parish mission given by Fr. Jim Sichko. Many of the priests in our diocese who heard him at the Priests Retreat this last May have brought him to their parishes.
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On Thursday, October 14, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, we have a meeting with the leaders of the different groups and ministries in our parish just to get to know each other better as coworkers in the Lord’s Vineyard. (You are also invited to attend if you are interested in helping in a ministry.)
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We Are a People on a Mission
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MISSION
We are the living Body of Christ,
animated by Eucharistic union, and sent by the Holy Spirit.
As missionary disciples, we must welcome,
evangelize and serve all in our local community.
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Thank You for Continuing the 3 "P"s
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PATIENCE
Lasting fruitfulness takes intentional preparation.
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PARTICIPATION
Keep up the good work!
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PRAYER
Remember the Adoration challenge!
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St. Francis of Assisi
Catholic Church
701 Mount Rose Hwy
Incline Village, NV 89451
(775) 831-0490
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