With the return of our regional school's faculty and staff this past week it was unmistakably clear to me: a new year has begun. For me, faculty orientation is always the signal that a new year of parish life is beginning. But it's not just school starting again; every parish organization, ministry and program that took a summer breather now starts up. The phrase I heard over and over again this past week was, "the summer flew by!" Yes, it truly did. And now we move forward. But for us, the beginning of this new year of parish life will include both starting points and ending points. In three weeks we will officially end our parish's 50th anniversary year. Bishop Knestout, former clergy and parishioners will return on Sat. September 14 for a Mass and dinner dance. And a little more than one month from today I will start a preaching series at all Masses announcing our parish plan for Restore! This will begin Sept. 28/29. If you want to get a little foundational understanding of what is coming to our parish and why, I encourage you to stop by the parish library after Mass beginning next weekend to obtain a copy of two books, Rebuilt by Fr. Michael White & Tom Corcoran and Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell. Our pastoral leadership team discovered these books at the MidAtlantic Catholic Congress in Baltimore this past March. We've been very encouraged by the ideas they present for renewing the lives of individuals and parishes. So though a busier pace of life is beginning, I know it will be an exciting time of new life inspired by the Holy Spirit, who can "restore all things in Christ". I can't wait to see all that God has in store for us! |