This weekend I concluded my three week Restore message series. My homily ended by asking parishioners to make a commitment to our plan for parish renewal. We placed cards in the pews titled, "Count Me In!" and asked every parishioner not currently active in a ministry or program at St. Pius to commit to just one part of the Restore plan (greeter, cafe experience, tech team, small group leader, children's ministry, etc.). From our four Masses over 300 cards were turned in! This to me is a sign of the parish's desire and willingness to change to bring about renewal. Now the hard work begins: managing change. Our pastoral leadership team will spend many hours over the next few weeks getting into the weeds and specifics of our Restore plan. We hope to have a time line for all our new initiatives and programs by early November. Then meetings will begin with all our volunteers. On Monday I leave with a group of parishioners for a ten day pilgrimage to Italy. I will be offering Masses at major basilicas and holy sites in Rome, Assisi, Monte Cassino, and San Giovanni Rotondo. As I pray for you I ask your prayers for me and our parish as we continue to "restore all things in Christ." |