FROM MAINTENANCE TO MISSION
Last year we had a great turnout for our information night talking about the future of St. Lucy Parish. For more than two years we have spoken about the need to move from maintenance to mission. This is a contemporary term highlighting the need for the Catholic Church in general, and local parishes more specifically, to re-engage our neighbors and friends in the ongoing mission of the Church. (The handout used that night are available below )
St. Lucy parish, like most, has seen a steady and consistent decline in participation in the spiritual, educational, social and especially liturgical life. A parish in maintenance mode changes very slowly, if at all, to embrace the many factors that have caused these declines to happen.
And the factors are many. From the continual secularization of our schools, moral relativism in our streets and towns, to the bad publicity given to the Church, to the disharmony often seen by spectators and potential adherents to the faith, bad liturgy, marginal programs, exclusive nature of events and activities, neglect of the youth and young adults…the list is long. Especially effected have been our young adults and young families who are so caught up in the daily tasks at hand, they have become complacent or apathetic to the true source of life – God
So where do we go from here? It's time! Over the next few week I will be forming a mission team to help us engage our parish in outreach and service to our neighbors and friends. We will review all aspects of the parish’s current life, discerning what is working and what seems not to be effective anymore. We will develop specific goals, programs and events, liturgies and services, directed by the Holy Spirit to evangelize.
This must be the work of the entire parish. I certainly cannot do it alone, and the mission team will need everyone to assist – remembering the first role of the baptized is to spread the Good news. It’s not about the numbers in the pews it’s about the salvation of souls. So many of our friends may be living good lives but are deceived into thinking they are also living the Good Life.
Please consider joining the Mission Team starting Summer 2024. Watch the weekly bulletin for more information.
DOCUMENTS FOR REVIEW
Parish Mission Statements - Archdiocese of Philadelphia
US Catholic Article - Should your parish have a mission statement?
AGENDA: from our March 2022 parish meeting (Word FIle)
Handout (PDF): Are we a maintenance-driven parish or a mission-driven parish?
The Parish, Maintenace or Mission? (pdf)
Article: Are we a Maintenance or a Mission Church?
Article: Divine Renovation - from the Chicago Archdiocese/documents/2023/1/DivineRenovationAid_JA_v5.pdf (pdf)
Pope Francis, EVANGELII GAUDIUM, the Joy of the Gospel, APostolic Exhortation on spreading the Good News
YOUTH MINISTRY
YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY
Our new young adult group is off to a great start! From game nights to Adoration, fireside discussions to theology on tap, we have events every Monday at 7pm in the parish center. Contact Father Codega (PastorStLucyRI@gmail.com)to get in the GroupMe loop for upcoming events, see you there!
MEN'S MINISTRY
Just for Men
In addition to the Tuesday morning prayer group for men, a Tuesday evening group meeting from 7:00–8:00pm is now taking place in the church. During this informal setting, men will be led in a discussion of scripture and various topics of interest. There will be opportunities – not required - to share insights and ideas on the same, while perhaps receiving support from others. For more information, contact Bill Nash – (Billpuck8@gmail.com). Non-parishioners are welcome, preregistration is not required – just stop in.
PEACE / JUSTICE / COMMUNITY SERVICE
St. Vincent dePaul : outreach to those in need:
Parish Community Outreach Committee (CAC)
LITURGICAL MINISTERS
Altar Servers
Lectors
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Eucharistic ministers to the sick and home-bound (Including nursing homes)
MUSIC MINISTRY
Contact Music Director:
Justin Vicente, or stop by choir
rehearsals, Wednesday at 7pm
FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP
OUTREACH TO OUR MILITARY FAMILIES
PRAYER TREE MINISTRY
GRIEVING MINISTRY
PARISH PROPERTIES AND GROUND COMMITTEE
PARISH FINANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL:
New members welcome - contact Fr Codega
Current Members ( and Auditors ) Active parishioners may contact the parish office for contact information if you would like to speak to one of our members,
Parish Corporation Members
Most Rev. Richard Henning, Bishop / President
Rev. Msgr. Albert Kenney, Vicar General / Vice President
Rev. John Codega, Pastor / Treasurer
Arleen Kaull, ParishTrustee / Director
Carl Salvo, Parish Trustee / Director
Ray Caron
Bill Nash
Jeff Pinault
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Carolann Brown. (Auditor)
Philip DiMattia (Auditor)