Pastor’s Corner — November 7th, 2021
RRM Final Recommendations Submitted
I breathed a big sigh of relief this week as I submitted to the bishop the final recommendations of the Realign Resources for Mission Committee. Our work, which spanned over two years and a global pandemic, was tough, intense, and fruitful. Leading this committee was perhaps one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but it is up there as one of the most rewarding already. The work our committee accomplished is critical for the future of the diocese and I’m extremely humbled to have been asked to contribute my gifts to the Bishop’s leadership in this way.
I’d like to thank everyone who has been praying for me in this effort. Though I tried not to show it, many people knew how much it pained me not to be more present during the parish during this time. Therefore, I am especially thankful for the tremendous generosity and patience people have had toward me when I couldn’t be as present as I’d like to have been. Now I’ll be able to spend more time leading the parish in executing the Bishop’s vision for a healthy parish so that we might make Spirit-filled missionary disciples of Jesus Christ for the glory of God the Father.
While the work of RRM is complete, the real work of implementation of the recommendations is just beginning. The implementation efforts need our prayers even more. It’s one thing to be able to clearly identify the problems and opportunities we have as a Church and even recommend how we can address them effectively. It’s quite another thing for the laity and clergy to come together and implement all of this so that we can be more effective in advancing the kingdom of God in our diocese. Please continue to pray for Bishop, his team and all those whom he chooses to work on this grand task of realignment. Big change is coming and, in my mind, if it is executed well, it’s going to be really good change.
Some people might ask, “What’s next? When are we going to hear the final groupings or hear about realigning Catholic schools and other organizations, or priest assignments, etc?” Time will tell, but stay tuned.
Book Recommendations
This last weekend I spoke about how to love God with our mind. This is topic is dear to my heart for several reasons, some of which I shared in my homily. Yes, there will always be people who reject the gospel because they do not want to repent. But I’m convinced that there are people who reject Jesus and the gospel because they simply don’t know it or don’t understand how it applies to them. My conversion to the faith also had a lot to do with the brilliance of Christianity.
How we think matters and what we read/watch determines how we think. In our sound-byte culture, it’s imperative that we return to critical thinking about matters of faith. One of these days I’m going to publish a master list of really good books to read on various aspects of the faith. But in the meantime, here are six approachable and non-academic books in two different categories relevant to my homily.
The Christian Worldview
1) Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
2) Rescued: The Unexpected and Extraordinary News of the Gospel by Fr. John Riccardo
3) The God who Loves You: Love Divine All Loves Excelling by Peter Kreeft
Harmful Ideologies
1) Disorientation: How to Go to College Without Losing Your Mind, by Jimmy Akin
2) The Sexual Revolution: History, Ideology, Power by Peter Elliott
3) Strangers in a Strange Land: Living the Catholic Faith in a Post-Christian World, by Abp. Charles Chaput
If you read just one in each of these categories, you’ll be very glad you use didn’t lose those hours of your life watching Netflix or binging on social media :)
Sanctuary Renovation Unveiling
For more information on the Church renovation unveiling on November 16th please see page 8 of the bulletin.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Mathias