Now that the news has been announced, the first step in the planning process is actually to get together with some of the power players and try to plan the steps that must be implemented. As it turns out, my first such meeting took place a few nights ago, but we quickly discoverd that we needed ALL the players at the table, so this afternoon, the three priests who will be involved in this transition sat together to begin the process of discussing the situation.
Ever since this information has been made public, there seem to be a plethora of questions and considerations to be mindful of. The trick to making any plan come to life though is to be purposeful about the steps that need to be taken, and to be sure to follow them one at a time.
As we considered the different angles (at least the first-glance angles) which included which committees would have to be merged, which ones need to remain separate and dedicated to particular sites, how to handle some questions about the parish registers, recording the sacramental life of the Church, and even considerations about the times of Sunday and weekday liturgies, the fog began to lift. I'm not too sure whether we're just entered into the abyss or whether there will in fact be light at the end of the tunnel, but at least the first steps have been made.
Some things need to be attended to immediately, others will require our attention after a certain number of weeks or months.
One of the most interesting observations though is that like it or not, this process is forcing us to work together: something that's not all that bad, but something that is absolutely crucial to success. Above all, we must keep before our eyes the need to be attentive to the people we are serving, and it all starts with being aware of ourselves, paying attention to the task of making the transition as easy as possible for as many as we can, and of course the call to be missionary in our work, toward those in this process we know best, and the ones we are yet to meet.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
More meetings with media
As it would happen, we had a phone call from someone at one of the local radio stations this morning, inquiring about whether or not he could arrange to do an interview. The impetus for this call was indeed the Press Release which was published to media over the weekend, courtesy of headquarters.
At first I wondered whether this was going to be a follow-up to the interview I granted to one of the afternoon radio show hosts just a few weeks ago, but then again, I didn't recognize the name of this newcomer, so who could this be, and what exactly did he want to ask about. Well, the first hint was the fact that we received copies of the Press Release as it was being released to the media.
As it turns out, this newcomer had never heard of this blog (I wonder whether he went back to work and checked it out). Nor had he heard of the work we do with podcasting and website development. Strange; I would have thought that all the media gurus in that office had heard the spot a few weeks ago (or is that too egotistic of me?).
Today's interview, recorded of course, will be re-worked and then appear on the early-morning current affairs show, so those who are in the immediate listening area might want to be on the lookout (or the listen out) for this newest addition. CBC Northern Ontario runs its Morning North show from 5:30 am until 8:35 am Monday to Friday.
At first I wondered whether this was going to be a follow-up to the interview I granted to one of the afternoon radio show hosts just a few weeks ago, but then again, I didn't recognize the name of this newcomer, so who could this be, and what exactly did he want to ask about. Well, the first hint was the fact that we received copies of the Press Release as it was being released to the media.
As it turns out, this newcomer had never heard of this blog (I wonder whether he went back to work and checked it out). Nor had he heard of the work we do with podcasting and website development. Strange; I would have thought that all the media gurus in that office had heard the spot a few weeks ago (or is that too egotistic of me?).
Today's interview, recorded of course, will be re-worked and then appear on the early-morning current affairs show, so those who are in the immediate listening area might want to be on the lookout (or the listen out) for this newest addition. CBC Northern Ontario runs its Morning North show from 5:30 am until 8:35 am Monday to Friday.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Celebrating Blessed Sacrament
Yesterday afternoon saw an almost full church as faithful and clergy from the parish of the most Blessed Sacrament, located in Sault Ste. Marie gathered to give thanks for their rich history of faith.
Stories and memories of the life of faith and community that has been celebrated there until just yesterday were told and retold. Memories were recalled, and amid laughter and tears, the end of a era came to be.
Like many other parishes, Blessed Sacrament has witnessed many other changes which have taken place throughout its history. Parts of the building have been adapted to house an office, an elevator and a place for community activity, in addition to the church space itself, used for prayer and supplication. Father Trevor Scarfone, the last of a number of priests to be ordained from Blessed Sacrament, reminded the gathered faithful that they have already lived through many changes throughout their history, and that this is another change that they must live now.
At the end of the closing liturgy, there was a litany of thanksgiving, and Father Eric Pannike, the current pastor wheeled out a cart piled with the sacramental registers of the parish, which he confided to the pastor of Precious Blood Cathedral. As the registers were wheeled out of the church, they were followed by the blessed sacrament which had been removed from the tabernacle.
The Mass was followed by a banquet where yet more stories were exchanged: a fitting celebration of thanksgiving for all that has been.
Stories and memories of the life of faith and community that has been celebrated there until just yesterday were told and retold. Memories were recalled, and amid laughter and tears, the end of a era came to be.
Like many other parishes, Blessed Sacrament has witnessed many other changes which have taken place throughout its history. Parts of the building have been adapted to house an office, an elevator and a place for community activity, in addition to the church space itself, used for prayer and supplication. Father Trevor Scarfone, the last of a number of priests to be ordained from Blessed Sacrament, reminded the gathered faithful that they have already lived through many changes throughout their history, and that this is another change that they must live now.
At the end of the closing liturgy, there was a litany of thanksgiving, and Father Eric Pannike, the current pastor wheeled out a cart piled with the sacramental registers of the parish, which he confided to the pastor of Precious Blood Cathedral. As the registers were wheeled out of the church, they were followed by the blessed sacrament which had been removed from the tabernacle.
The Mass was followed by a banquet where yet more stories were exchanged: a fitting celebration of thanksgiving for all that has been.
In the news
Yep, we managed to make the front page of the local paper once again, in this morning's edition, but this time, the written words only covered two paragraphs, a miniscule amount of ink compared with the veritable ink wells that have been spilled in the past.
For the first time in a long time, the media had nothing bad to say about us, and that indeed is a good thing. Instead, they portrayed quite acurately the details of the news that the Bishop shared with parishioners in various parishes across the diocese this weekend. In addition to the Press Release which was made public on the Diocesan website just yesterday, individual letters were addresssed to each of the parishes involved in this most volly of announcements about reorganizational realities, including
This leaves a few other parishes with reviews still to be completed. The next set of announcements are scheduled to be made by mid-July.
For the first time in a long time, the media had nothing bad to say about us, and that indeed is a good thing. Instead, they portrayed quite acurately the details of the news that the Bishop shared with parishioners in various parishes across the diocese this weekend. In addition to the Press Release which was made public on the Diocesan website just yesterday, individual letters were addresssed to each of the parishes involved in this most volly of announcements about reorganizational realities, including
This leaves a few other parishes with reviews still to be completed. The next set of announcements are scheduled to be made by mid-July.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The long awaited
Earlier this year, people in this diocese were informed about a rather extensive review process that was being put in place. The object of the review was to review the feasiblity of up to 30 of the 100+ parishes we have stretching from Temagami to Manitouwadge.
All the results were submitted, and the studying has all but been completed by now. At the end of May, the first phase of announcements about parish closures and reorganizations were made. The list is still on the diocesan website at time of this printing.
This weekend, a number of parishes in various parts of the diocese are informing their parishioners about other parishes which will experience changes of various kinds in the coming months. I'm told that the entire list will be posted (on the above-quoted site) by the end of the weekend.
Stay tuned.
All the results were submitted, and the studying has all but been completed by now. At the end of May, the first phase of announcements about parish closures and reorganizations were made. The list is still on the diocesan website at time of this printing.
This weekend, a number of parishes in various parts of the diocese are informing their parishioners about other parishes which will experience changes of various kinds in the coming months. I'm told that the entire list will be posted (on the above-quoted site) by the end of the weekend.
Stay tuned.
Number 9 and counting
Yep, you guessed it. With the warm weather of summer comes the annual wedding season, and since this venerable building has managed to preserve at least some of it's original beauty, it's among the most sought-after places for celebrating nuptials.
Today, the ninth of these celebrations of love took place, and that's nowhere near the end because before the calendar year is out we will celebrate eleven more of these wonderful occasions. In the past four years, we have witnessed a rise in the number of couples asking to celebrate their special day here. This is somewhat in contrast to what I've heard is happening in many other places sacred. Whatever the motivating factor(s), we are happy to play even a very small part in witnessing this special day in the lives of so many.
Oh, and there are already at least seven bookings for 2011 nuptials, and it's only the end of June!
Today, the ninth of these celebrations of love took place, and that's nowhere near the end because before the calendar year is out we will celebrate eleven more of these wonderful occasions. In the past four years, we have witnessed a rise in the number of couples asking to celebrate their special day here. This is somewhat in contrast to what I've heard is happening in many other places sacred. Whatever the motivating factor(s), we are happy to play even a very small part in witnessing this special day in the lives of so many.
Oh, and there are already at least seven bookings for 2011 nuptials, and it's only the end of June!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Faith in photos
I'm still catching up ... a bit.
While I was away and writing from places in Europe a few weeks ago, there were other things going on here at home. Notable among them was a Faith Day Mass which was organized for all students of the Sudbury District Catholic School Board.
All reports of that day's celebration which I have heard are glowing, and there are pictures to prove it. Have a look.
While I was away and writing from places in Europe a few weeks ago, there were other things going on here at home. Notable among them was a Faith Day Mass which was organized for all students of the Sudbury District Catholic School Board.
All reports of that day's celebration which I have heard are glowing, and there are pictures to prove it. Have a look.
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