OUR PARISH PARTNER: St. Paul Church (Johnston City)
Working Together: The Most Reverend Bishop Edward K. Braxton from our Belleville Diocese has formulated a comprehensive reorganization of the Catholic Church in southern Illinois in order to strengthen the Local Church and assist the people of God as we continue to learn our faith, love our faith, and live our faith in the years to come.
The Bishop’s Formal Response includes: the reorganization of the Diocesan Structure; the reorganization of the Department Directors; the reorganization of the Deaneries into Vicariates and the appointment of new Vicars Forane. Within the Vicariates, the parish communities are linked together in new Parish Partnerships.
Bishop Braxton's Comments on his Formal Response:
"As I said in my Year of Faith Lecture at the Cathedral, March 17, 2013, the work of restructuring the Diocese will only become the work of renewal if we turn to Christ in the Scriptures, in the lives of the saints, in the Council documents, and in the pages of the Catechism. Prayerfully turning to these great resources in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament will open our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit who will renew us all – bishops, priests, deacons, religious, the Christian faithful, and our parish communities. And, if we embrace that renewal, that same Holy Spirit may grace us with an increase in vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the religious life.
Therefore, during the months and years ahead, let us do everything in Christ. When we are having difficulties determining the best course of action, remember the Lord is near! When individuals and groups are expressing strong seemingly irreconcilable differences, remember the Lord is near! When there is sadness and frustration in the face of painful decisions, remember the Lord is near! When we begin to experience the ways in which our communities of faith are strengthened and renewed by our common generous embrace of The Pastoral Plan For Parish Renewal And Restructuring, let us rejoice! The Lord is near!"
The Bishop’s Formal Response includes: the reorganization of the Diocesan Structure; the reorganization of the Department Directors; the reorganization of the Deaneries into Vicariates and the appointment of new Vicars Forane. Within the Vicariates, the parish communities are linked together in new Parish Partnerships.
Bishop Braxton's Comments on his Formal Response:
"As I said in my Year of Faith Lecture at the Cathedral, March 17, 2013, the work of restructuring the Diocese will only become the work of renewal if we turn to Christ in the Scriptures, in the lives of the saints, in the Council documents, and in the pages of the Catechism. Prayerfully turning to these great resources in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament will open our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit who will renew us all – bishops, priests, deacons, religious, the Christian faithful, and our parish communities. And, if we embrace that renewal, that same Holy Spirit may grace us with an increase in vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate, and the religious life.
Therefore, during the months and years ahead, let us do everything in Christ. When we are having difficulties determining the best course of action, remember the Lord is near! When individuals and groups are expressing strong seemingly irreconcilable differences, remember the Lord is near! When there is sadness and frustration in the face of painful decisions, remember the Lord is near! When we begin to experience the ways in which our communities of faith are strengthened and renewed by our common generous embrace of The Pastoral Plan For Parish Renewal And Restructuring, let us rejoice! The Lord is near!"
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor."
When individuals work together, they can double their strength and get much more done as a team. They also reap the value of having worked in unison, thus creating harmony instead of disorder. Working as one people begins with the efforts of each person, as they work with another person.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9 •
When individuals work together, they can double their strength and get much more done as a team. They also reap the value of having worked in unison, thus creating harmony instead of disorder. Working as one people begins with the efforts of each person, as they work with another person.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9 •
~ We continue to look forward to working with and discovering the gifts both parishes have
to offer during the Parish Renewal and Restructuring period! ~
