Dear Parishioners,

By the time you are reading this, the Pastoral Council, heads of ministries and Parish staff will have met in a day-long meeting to ask some very important questions about parish life. We want to have a better idea of who we are as a parish community and how we can better serve all who consider Xavier their spiritual home. We also want to explore ways in which we can engage our parishioners in parish activities that include spiritual and theological formation as well as service and outreach. There are many people who come to Xavier and find it a place of welcome where the Spirit of God is very much alive. There is something contagious about the energy that comes through the active participation of parishioners in the liturgy. This spirit overflows into service at the Mission, and a host of other ministries. 

At the same time, there are many who may want to become more involved and engaged but don’t know how to do this. There may be people who see themselves in a certain demographic whose needs are not being met. We pride ourselves as being a very welcoming and inclusive Catholic parish but there is always room for growth. These are some of the challenges we will be addressing at our meeting.

I am sure that we will also be speaking of the climate of “mistrust” that is pervasive in our country. As Catholic Christians we face a dramatic challenge of acting in a way that is in alignment with our social justice teaching, especially as it is articulated in the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. We will need to address the ways in which we at Xavier can “let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and give God greater glory”.

Let us pray for each other, for our church and especially for our country!

Sincerely,

Fr. Bob