Looking From The Outside In...

I am grateful for the members of our Parish Pastoral Council. In the last six months, the members have been helpful to me in pastoral planning not only with our current activities but as we plan for our future. Through thoughtful discussions, concern for the common good of all, and faith in the action of the Holy Spirit, the Parish Pastoral Council is helping to shape the vision and direction of our parish as we move forward.

I am delighted to share with you the Vision Statement that has been emerging from their long hours of study and discussion at Council meetings and between Council meetings. I present the Statement to you as a way to seek your input and comments. You will notice that it is written in the first person as a way to emphasize the need for all parishioners to take responsibility for its fulfillment.

Father Mark and I welcome your comments in person, by e-mail (ffirpo@dor.org; fbrewer@dor.org) or on the blog-site (ponderingpadres.blogspot.com).

Just as your voice has been instrumental through your participation in the US Congregational Survey to initiate this Statement, your voice is critical in finalizing the work.

• It is my vision that St. Charles Borromeo (SCB) offers welcome to all who seek a deeper friendship (relationship) with the living God through the Roman Catholic Tradition;
• It is my vision that all parishioners are treated with respect and dignity and are accepted for their gifts and limitations;
• It is my vision that (all) the ministries of SCB, especially the liturgical ones, encourage and afford opportunities for active participation in all our liturgical services;
• It is my vision that our parishioners know one another by name and gather joyfully for (worship) prayer, support, learning, and social activities;
• It is my vision that we honor the senior members of our faith Community, by encouraging and offering opportunities for them to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes to our younger families;
• It is my vision that our friendship with the living God is deepened with SCB encouraging and offering opportunities for study, reflection, and action. To this end, I envision the former school building being designated as a MINISTRY CENTER that also houses the ministerial staff offices;
• It is my vision that SCB take a leadership role in reaching out and evangelizing in the Eastern Greece/Charlotte (EG/C) wider community;
• It is my vision that we offer to eligible parishioners a formation program in order to be involved in SCB parish ministry as a volunteer;
• It is my vision that we encourage our young men and their families, through planned activities, to consider a vocation to the ministerial priesthood;
• It is my vision to have a vibrant Youth Ministry that offers opportunities for all youth to become acquainted with the Christian life in the EG/C wider community;
• It is my vision that SCB collaborate wherever possible with the other Christian Communities in our area to offer Christian human services.

I pray that our Heavenly Father will continue to bless the work of our hands and hearts as we walk together as the faith community of Saint Charles Borromeo.