The Archdiocese of Chicago is engaging in a historic process of spiritual renewal and revitalization called Renew My Church, which will breathe new life into our methods of sharing the Gospel so as to be a Church and home marked by more faithful discipleship, loving community, and inspired witness. Initiatives to help us achieve this vision range from leadership programs and vocation discernment to faith-in-action efforts, such as anti-violence and immigrant support. The heart of our Renew My Church efforts is the parish grouping process, the aim of which is to create vital, sustainable, disciple-making parishes.
Later this year, the parishes and schools of our local area will begin the grouping-level discernment and planning process. Our grouping consists of the following parishes:
* = 3 parishes with Catholic Elementary Schools
What does this mean for us? Our grouping of four parishes will enter a period and process of prayerful discernment. Beginning this Summer and continuing through January 2020, we will work with our grouping’s parishes and schools to provide the archdiocese, Cardinal Cupich, and our local vicar Bishop Bartosic with feedback regarding the parish/school structures and ministerial needs for the future of our community.
We will be asked to honestly assess our current and long-term challenges, identify strengths and opportunities to build upon, and evaluate how we need to operate differently as a faith community to best serve our mission. These will be challenging and exciting discussions about moving into the future as the Church of our local Lincoln Square and Budlong Woods area.
What can I do? Throughout the next several months, we are encouraged to get to know each other across the parishes and schools in the grouping. Opportunities for doing so will be shared. All four parishes in our grouping will join together to offer a “Renew My Church 101” information session at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 at St. Hilary Parish. All our parishioners have this opportunity to learn more and ask questions, so please plan to attend if you are interested and able to come. Bring your family, your friends and your questions. In the meantime, more information is available online at renewmychurch.org.
As we begin this important work, know that it is Jesus Christ who calls us to constantly renew His Church, as he called to St. Francis of Assisi from the cross in the Church of San Damiano (see picture above). Together, we will respond to our Lord’s invitation. Renew My Church is something that affects all of us, requires all of us to roll up our sleeves for the sake of Christ’s kingdom and our local Church, and has the potential to draw us into an even stronger relationship with Jesus and each other as a community of disciples.
In this grouping, we will seek to cooperate across parish lines — through common programs or celebrations, unified parish or school structures, shared staff members, etc. This is an organic growth of the ways in which these parishes (and other parishes nearby) already work together:
- Shared RCIA program for St. Matthias and Queen of Angels (with Our Lady of Lourdes) — welcoming and forming adults who are becoming Catholic or completing their initiation in the Catholic Church
- 6:30 Sunday evening Mass hosted at St. Benedict is supported by clergy and promoted to parishioners from St. Matthias and Queen of Angels (with Our Lady of Lourdes)
- Mutual support for Catholic Pastoral Care services at local medical center Swedish Covenant Hospital
- Shared responsibility for emergency administration of the Anointing of the Sick — rotates each week among on-call clergy from St. Matthias, St. Hilary, and Queen of Angels (with Our Lady of Mercy)
- Shared Ministry of Care services to bring Holy Communion and pray with patients (parishes each visit 1 Sunday per month — Queen of Angels has the 3rd Sunday)
- Interdenominational effort of local churches and staff from Communities United (formerly Albany Park Neighborhood Council) to educate our parishioners about and improve access to charity care offered at the hospital
Read more about the Renew My Church initiative at archchicago.org/renew. You may also leave your feedback in the moderated comments section below.