A JOINT LETTER FROM FR. SHAUN LOWERY, OSFS AND FR. ANTHONY STROUSE

Post date: Apr 26, 2015 5:42:25 PM

Entrusted with the care of our parish communities we feel blessed to be in such privileged positions. Both of us are grateful to God and to you for the many graces, challenges, and joys that come with pastoral ministry. Part of this ministry involves the administration of staff and stewardship of the money and the talents that each of you offers our respective parish families. Recently we have begun to discuss among ourselves, with our parish pastoral councils, finance committees, and with a committee of parishioners representing both parishes about how, by working more closely together, our parishes could more effectively and efficiently form disciples of all ages.

Our discussions have been optimistic, challenging, exciting, and constructive and will continue. We have come to realize that to be more effective and efficient in forming disciples our parishes must work together. We cannot allow ego or exaggerated needs for control or security manipulate the agenda of the Holy Spirit, that is, the proclamation of the Gospel.

Because of this we have come to the conclusion that a restructuring of current programs run individually by our respective parishes related to discipleship formation for all ages, sacramental preparation for all ages, and the development of an evangelization program needs to occur so that both of our parishes may work together in a united effort to help people begin, strengthen, and deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church.

Next academic year we will combine our efforts at faith formation/religious education, RCIA, and sacramental preparation - one program shared between our two parishes under the direction of a single full-time (faith formation/religious education) and single part-time (RCIA and sacramental preparation) staff person. These efforts will significantly save each of our parishes money, and be a good investment in our future. We especially wish to transition the models of programs in place related to students/youth/teens (often the same models in place for decades that have proven not to engage our youth) into more dynamic encounters with Jesus Christ that kindle in them a longing to be engaged members of our parish communities and life- long disciples of Jesus in the Catholic Church.

This collaboration will not mean that the sacramental moments, which are so important as thresholds to a deeper life of faith, will only take place at one parish. Celebrations of the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and First Holy Communion will still take place at the individual parishes. Those seeking to join the Catholic Church through the RCIA will still celebrate those rites at the individual parishes. But there will be a shared staff member between both parishes to coordinate the education and formation of those in sacramental preparation.

During this transition time, we ask for your prayers and support. Much work will need to be done. We ask for the Holy Spirit's guidance as we begin to search for new ministers to join our parishes' staffs and help us work together. We ask for the Spirit to open all of our hearts and to help us each to be joyful, optimistic, and prudent through this process.

We encourage you to communicate with each of us about your ideas and concerns, to raise your criticisms in a constructive and charitable manner, and to ask us questions directly if you feel uninformed or under- informed as we begin and undergo this process.

Finally let us ask for the prayers and support of our patrons, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and her blessed spouse, St Joseph.

Sincerely in the Lord,

Fr. Shaun Lowery, OSFS Fr. Anthony J. Strouse