Solemnity of the Pentecost (Pentecost - 7 Initiatives)
The Solemnity of the Pentecost, commonly referred to as the birthday of the Church, was the occasion that Jesus’ followers became unified in a new and tangible way, and furthermore, were empowered in that unity by the Holy Spirit, to go out and fulfill his command to make disciples throughout the world, to build God’s Kingdom.
They went out and began to preach the basic truth about Jesus: who he was, what happened to him, and what he called them to do as heirs of his Mission. We call that basic message the kerygma and it was electric and moved like a wave of energy throughout the world, all the way here to Issaquah where the first known Mass was celebrated in 1883.
Here we are, 139 years after that first Mass—that first moment when Issaquah experienced heaven and earth coming together, as only the Mass makes happen—here we are, doing our part to continue the Mission Jesus gave his disciples, to make disciples, to build God’s Kingdom.
The Pentecost event and what it did to and for the first community of faith, makes me think about us as a community of faith. In some ways, even after having been here 11 years, now that we are finding ourselves on the other side of the pandemic, I find it hard to answer that question. Who are we as St. Joseph parish? It’s hard to answer that. While many moved out of the area, some, it would seem, have simply drifted away. Some, I suspect, are still fearful of coming back into the church for Mass. Some, I further suspect, have come to find that livestreamed church is sufficient, that the experience of worshiping in this space with fellow Christians, and the gift of the living Eucharist are things they can do without. So, it's hard to know who’s still here and who’s still to come back.
Even with that question unanswered, there is much more we need to do and to rebuild. Before the pandemic, there were some things we did well, and others we did not. Much of this was brought to the surface in the recent synodal sessions hosted at the parish, led by parishioner Tim Dunn, who was supported by the Pastoral Council.
I thank you for those of you who came and provided input. After the sessions were completed, Tim processed the responses and even identified which responses were most widely held. He presented that information to the Pastoral Council, and for about three months, it became the focus of our discussions. Members of the Pastoral Council were asked to take some time and to prayerfully identify what they believed were higher priority for us, and what else we should keep before us for further down the road.
And after receiving their helpful input, and prayerfully discerning, I identified seven initiatives I hope we can make strides on in the coming year. Some of these are things that were done well in the past, whether before the pandemic or further back.
They are initiatives that I believe will help us to be able to better know who we are as St. Joseph parish, but also will help to strengthen us in what the Holy Spirit is calling us to be for our local community. They are as follows:
1. To establish small-faith groups - communities within the parish community, that make Christ present in fostering connection and intimacy, empowering more of us to evangelize.
2. To do a better job of promoting service opportunities – This would be a means by which we can better serve those in need, in the name of Christ, but also foster human connection.
3. To do a better job of welcoming new parishioners –this will strengthen human connection and will help new parishioners to get involved. We’ve recently begun working at this, but there is much more to do.
4. To hold more parish community events – celebrating who we are and strengthening connection with one another, parishioner to parishioner.
5. To re-establish the Greeter ministry – the person who welcomes folks as they come to the entrance of the church. More than just saying ‘hi’, to make people know that they are seen and acknowledged, instead of feeling alone and disconnected.
6. To strengthen our Young Adult Ministry – an age group that so easily gets lost and has a hard time finding its place in the church.
7. To re-establish discernment for religious vocations – for both young men and young women. This must be intentionally nurtured and is integral for the future of our faith.
Some of these are outside my skill set and I have difficulty visualizing how to get them started. And some of you are gifted in these areas. So, in addition to relying on the Pastoral Council, we will need your help. Much more to come on these, but for now, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Pentecost—a defining moment in which the Christian Mission began, a Mission that’s still underway—I wanted to put this before you. Please pray about your part in this and how the Holy Spirit with his seven-fold gifts would work through you to strengthen us, and yourself, in this beautiful Mission that Jesus Christ has entrusted to us.