There has been much talk about the Archdiocese of Hartford’s Pastoral Planning process. Some folks have given it high marks as they investigate the process and see that the criteria used is more than just money raised by individual churches, understanding that it includes a “taking of the temperature” of the life of each parish, including but not limited to their sacramental numbers: Baptisms, First Holy Communions, Confirmations, Marriages and funerals; the general population or census shifts in each locale—past, present and future; the individual priests and their talents and gifts and how they might work with the parishioners; and yes of course, whether the parish is able to sustain itself and its facilities in a given community. Some folks have—and will—criticize the process, perhaps refusing to see the changes in our American culture: the role and make-up of the family and its impact on how a Catholic family then practices their faith, from Sunday morning sports to separated families, marriages of different religious traditions where one parent is fully engaged in Mass and the other naturally not so much—and the resulting disunity that might occur at times. It is a different world—for better or worse: “It is what it is” and we, as a Church, must work within those confines and find new ways to reach out and attract believers—because the message and the end result is just too important.


The goal of pastoral planning is not to raise a white flag in defeat—no not at all; but rather to reposition the Church of Hartford to once again become anew and be more relevant and to fruitfully make real—and personal—the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ’s Gospel. This is true because, as Jesus said: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10)

It is important—the Church would say eternally so—that we get this right and work diligently with faith, hope, charity and love—joy—to bring the message of Salvation through Christ to each and every person in the world, and not just to our “fallen away” Catholic sisters and brothers but to everyone so that they all may have abundant life.

Without pointing fingers at the occasional or “CAPE” (Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter) Catholics—sometimes our family, friends and children who no longer practice, we are now all called to exemplify Christ in those family relationships, in our community endeavors, in our moral compasses in the work place and in our integrity of Spirit to be another Christ to those whom we meet. This does not mean we must become perfect overnight, but rather it means that with God’s Grace and with charity in our words and hearts we have to be a welcoming people who seek to make the world a better place. We do this by showing that faith is not solely for the “holy rollers” but is rightfully owned by everyone—especially us sinners. At our dinner tables and family picnics we must encourage those who have either left the Church or feel that the Church has left them to return, and to really know what and why the Church teaches what it does, and not to listen to uneducated and often times unfounded myths about Catholic teachings. This is a big job. It will take a great deal of effort and certainly prayer—individual prayer as we ask the Lord to guide us in our conversations and collective prayer as a Church when we welcome and teach the Truths of Christ. Prayer will also guide us to realize that not everyone will accept the invitation from the Lord to follow Him. We know that in the Mass, at the Consecration of the wine into the Precious Blood, Christ our Lord said: “Take this, all of you, and drink from it: for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.” And while not all will accept the invitation from Christ, our goal is to offer it to everyone…and let free will take its course. For as the Gospels note, not all will want to walk in His Light.

This offering of Christ’s invitation is our role in His Discipleship. This past weekend Archbishop Blair’s letter to the parish said that we will remain a free-standing parish and that I am blessed to remain your pastor—but that does not mean that we can sit back happy and content to be “safe.” What we must do is, as the Archbishop said, reach out to those brothers and sisters in the faith who have been affected and welcome them— encourage them and be with them as they too renew their faith in a new formed parish and so grow the Mystical Body of Christ—the Church—on earth. Archbishop Blair quoted the Second Vatican Council when he said: that the Church on earth is a “‘pilgrim people.’ Here we have no lasting home, but are on the way to a heavenly city.” Let the pilgrimage begin and may our travels be smooth, may it be fruitful, and may the Church on earth here in the Archdiocese of Hartford flourish as the antidote to the cultural winds of unbelief and selfishness, may she be the sign and symbol and the way to which her people illustrate Christ to those who suffer from a lack of hope and now become by our words and deeds—and the Father’s Grace—people who “might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10)

To that end, let us begin the journey with prayer: last weekend I wrote about the need for more Holy Hours at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish. A number of people responded with considerate prayer intentions for the Holy Hours and also the times at which these Holy Hours might be held. I would ask you, again, to consider giving me your opinions as to the prayer intentions of the Holy Hours and the days and times which these ONE HOUR holy hours would be more likely well attended—what are convenient for your schedules (some at night, some at daytime…) and send your thoughts to me at stcathy.net@comcast.net...Thank you.