To carry out such a task, the Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. Thus, in language intelligible to each generation, she can respond to the perennial questions which men ask about this present life and the life to come, and about the relationship of the one to the other. We must therefore recognize and understand the world in which we live, its explanations, its longings, and its often dramatic characteristics. Some of the main features of the modern world can be sketched as follows.
– Gaudium et spes, #4
Our Parish Response to and Goals for Renew My Church
In every age and in our time, the Church is called to read the signs of the times and take up the work of renewal. The Catholic Church understands that we face a crisis in active faith participation, particularly among our younger generations. Even committed parishioners have not been prepared to express their faith and share with others. The Church needs to respond with some sense of urgency. The response is renewal, individually and collectively.
During Lent of 2023, parishioners across the Archdiocese of Chicago were invited to participate in the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey. As a parish, our collective answers gave us a sense of where we feel we are at as a parish while also comparing our answers to those of other parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as to parishes around the country that have participated in this survey. While our recent survey expresses great support for our parish, it confirms that we too are experiencing these Catholic Church challenges. We have set out a goal, vison and core elements for how our Parish can respond. It is about the intentional renewal and growth of our parish’s spirit and heart for encountering Jesus. As we are in the initial stages of sharing and unpacking all of this, we expect these to continue evolving as we listen to each other and internalize this journey of personal and collective renewal.
Our renewal goals are to welcome all, support each other in deepening our faith and becoming mission-based disciples.
During Lent of 2023, parishioners across the Archdiocese of Chicago were invited to participate in the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) Survey. As a parish, our collective answers gave us a sense of where we feel we are at as a parish while also comparing our answers to those of other parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago as well as to parishes around the country that have participated in this survey. While our recent survey expresses great support for our parish, it confirms that we too are experiencing these Catholic Church challenges. We have set out a goal, vison and core elements for how our Parish can respond. It is about the intentional renewal and growth of our parish’s spirit and heart for encountering Jesus. As we are in the initial stages of sharing and unpacking all of this, we expect these to continue evolving as we listen to each other and internalize this journey of personal and collective renewal.
Our renewal goals are to welcome all, support each other in deepening our faith and becoming mission-based disciples.
What is a disciple? Disciples habitually worship, grow, serve, give, share their faith, live virtuously, and build community. As Catholics, we are all disciples of Jesus Christ. Henri Nouween, a Dutch Catholic priest, wrote an essay titled “Moving from solitude to community to ministry”. He viewed discipleship and discipline as the same and believed that we should “look at solitude, community, and ministry as three disciplines by which we create space for God. If we create space in which God can act and speak, something surprising will happen.”
With the help of the Holy Spirit, in solitude, community and ministry, we intentionally seek to encounter Christ, grow our relationship with him, share his love and our gifts to serve and support others, and help others explore their faith.
We have set out a vison for what our parish strives to be as individuals and a community.
We have set out a vison for what our parish strives to be as individuals and a community.
We all are called by God and inspired by the Holy Spirit to encounter Christ and make him known.
We are a community that is mission-based, relationship-centered, and open to all.
We are a community that is mission-based, relationship-centered, and open to all.
The results of the DMI survey tell us about the strengths of our parish and what parishioners value. Using this and learnings from other parishes, we have defined core elements of our parish life that will help us achieve our vision.
These are:
These are:
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We Belong Together
For our multi-generational community, our focus is on inclusion, fellowship, and trust. 85% of younger generation members do not actively practice their faith. A sense of belonging and ability to live authentic lives invites people in. Our goal is that each member of the CCN encounters positive relationships and finds support, acceptance, and encouragement in an environment of radical hospitality.
We Journey Together
We commit to a lifelong faith formation in which we journey on a transition from parishioners to missionary disciples. As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, we come to understand our unique calling and journey. Our fellowship moves us from offering formation events and programs to launching intentional journeys of encounter and community through instruction and conversation. We explore scriptures and our sacred traditions both in solitude and community.
We Celebrate Together
We share God’s presence and grace through prayer, vibrant worship, and the sacraments. This grace leads us to experience joy and a renewal of spirit and fulfillment. This joy inspires us to action – delivering corporal and spiritual acts of mercy. Our renewal moves us from passive attendance to full, active, conscious participation and encounter with God where we teach and witness to a deepening relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
We Witness Together
We imitate Christ in action and heart by fostering peace, justice, and compassion for all. We share our God given gifts by serving one another and bring the Good News out into the world. We propose our faith through explicit connections to Christ as the source of life’s love, joy, and meaning.
For our multi-generational community, our focus is on inclusion, fellowship, and trust. 85% of younger generation members do not actively practice their faith. A sense of belonging and ability to live authentic lives invites people in. Our goal is that each member of the CCN encounters positive relationships and finds support, acceptance, and encouragement in an environment of radical hospitality.
We Journey Together
We commit to a lifelong faith formation in which we journey on a transition from parishioners to missionary disciples. As we deepen our relationship with Jesus, we come to understand our unique calling and journey. Our fellowship moves us from offering formation events and programs to launching intentional journeys of encounter and community through instruction and conversation. We explore scriptures and our sacred traditions both in solitude and community.
We Celebrate Together
We share God’s presence and grace through prayer, vibrant worship, and the sacraments. This grace leads us to experience joy and a renewal of spirit and fulfillment. This joy inspires us to action – delivering corporal and spiritual acts of mercy. Our renewal moves us from passive attendance to full, active, conscious participation and encounter with God where we teach and witness to a deepening relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
We Witness Together
We imitate Christ in action and heart by fostering peace, justice, and compassion for all. We share our God given gifts by serving one another and bring the Good News out into the world. We propose our faith through explicit connections to Christ as the source of life’s love, joy, and meaning.