Pastor’s Letter: November 27, 2022

Pastor’s Letter: November 27, 2022

25 Nov 2022 | Posted by: chadmin

Dear friend,

Last weekend, the Diocese had a bulletin insert about the Growing Disciples Pastoral Planning Process. In his first year in the Diocese of Peoria, Bishop Lou noticed some common themes as he traveled the Diocese. In a truly heartfelt way, Bishop Lou listened to the concerns and joys of the clergy and laity of the Diocese. This listening helped him prepare for the beginning of his service as Bishop of Peoria. During this preparation, he identified Five Foundations he desires will focus the prayer, reflection and growth of the Diocese of Peoria. These Five Foundations are Evangelization, the Eucharist, Discipleship, Vocations, and Archbishop Fulton Sheen. As the Bishop has stated, the goals of the Pastoral Planning process are to help enable the faithful to make disciples, enhance the vibrancy of our ministry, and support the priests that serve the Diocese. The Bishop wrote a prayer to unite the Diocese in prayer throughout the process. Along with this prayer below, the Bishop will release materials throughout the Pastoral Planning process in each of the Five Foundations. While the process will involve many growth and evangelization opportunities, it will also include widespread discussion about the churches, buildings, schools, and the priests in our Diocese able to serve them. Please join me in prayer with our Bishop (click here) and stay tuned for additional materials, videos (click here for the first video of the series), and information to guide us through the Planning Process.

This weekend marks the beginning of the Advent Season. Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas and the final coming of Christ. This twofold preparation for welcoming God allows us the opportunity to reflect on the extent to which God loves us. All of the Christian mysteries begin with the Birth of Christ and they certainly will culminate with the Last Judgment. This season, thus, has the feel of waiting. We wait for all sorts of things in life. The world waited for the Messiah to come, which we believed happened in the Birth of Christ. We wait for appointments, social gatherings, personal celebrations, retirement, and certainly, we wait for heaven. The challenge of the Advent Season is to see our waiting as having eternal significance. No matter what the life situation, we wait in peace knowing the fullness of God will be revealed to us. The confidence we have in our God should inspire us to see every day as an opportunity to live toward eternal fulfillment. May this Advent Season give us the courage to invite Jesus anew into our lives and compel us to live the Christian life.

God bless,

Father David