Pastor’s Corner — May 7th, 2023
Communication Avenues and Expectations at St Pat’s
In my article and at the end of Mass last weekend, I mentioned that the format of the parish bulletin will be changing, starting with this weekend’s bulletin. We will also be introducing a new parish quarterly magazine, The Connection beginning in July. Back in December, I had written about the various ways we communicate here at St. Pat’s as well as my expectations for parishioner engagement with various media. I reiterate these now in light of the new changes.
• The Bulletin: The bulletin is the main way we communicate what’s going on in the parish. The shorter format will include my article, introductions for upcoming events at the parish, as well as Christian Service opportunities and occasional ministry requests and ads for events around the deanery and diocese. It is my expectation that active parishioners read the bulletin either online or the hard copy.
• The Connection: The Connection is our new parish magazine that will be published quarterly. It will be a professional-quality publication that will be attractive to both parishioners and non-parishioners alike. It will feature long form articles, spiritual reflections, event recaps, among other things. It is our hope that parishioners will enjoy spending time with the content and also share this publication with friends and family outside of the parish if they desire.
• Parish Email: Email communication allows for more timely communication to parishioners and enables us to share digital content that cannot be accessed in our bulletin. Currently, there are two kind of emails we send out to the parish.
o Mid-Week Email Update: These emails highlight some events that are already in the bulletin, some timely updates that aren’t in the bulletin, and digital content that c cannot be accessed in the bulletin. Also included in the Mid-Week are links to my (upcoming) weekend column, the (upcoming) bulletin in digital form and more. You might note already that my bulletin columns include Internet links, which means I am hoping that you’re accessing my column via email.
o Emails from me or key staff: Once in a while we will send out emails on important topics related to life in the parish or on a key pastoral issue. The content of these emails usually doesn’t fit in the bulletin or is inappropriate for the bulletin given its digital content. Most of the time, the content of these emails will find itself in the bulletin, but not always. If you have access to the Internet please sign up for this. If you are signed up and are not getting these, please check your Spam filter.
• Social Media: The parish utilizes social media to communicate to the parish in various ways.
o YouTube: We have a channel in which we post homilies, selected talks, and other videos such as Rectory Rambles.
o Facebook and Instagram: Here we post some pictures of events, reminders about events and even some of our other digital content such as YouTube videos or Pastoral Notes I send out in email.
•Website: Our website communicates our identity, values and mission to the outside world and is used to communicate to the parish various events and information, such as our bulletin and the Pastor’s Corner which includes my column and other communications. The website also contains the most up-to-date information regarding our Discipleship Pathway as well as the contact information for parish ministries and service opportunities.
• Announcements at Mass: Since we’re communicating virtually all parish events in our parish through our bulletin and parish email, announcements at Mass will be kept to a minimum. These announcements when they happen are usually for timely parish items that were unable to be put in the bulletin and those items I believe need special attention due to their relevance to the mission.
Called and Gifted Workshop, June 3 at St Pat’s
A key part of living out one’s vocation is discerning and understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Each of us receives gifts of the Holy Spirit at baptism that enable us to love others and build up the Church. These gifts, or charisms, are active in all intentional disciples of Christ and discerning them is a key way of living in holiness. I believe knowing the gifts God has given us is so essential to our walk with Jesus that we determined to have the Called and Gifted workshop (presented with the St. Catherine Institute) as one of the essential “rest stops” of our pathway so we can live our identity in Christ. Next week we’ll send out registration details, but this is a save the date.
Altar Dedication Mass with Bishop: Thursday May 11th at 6pm
Bishop Boyea will be coming to St. Pat’s to do a special Mass with the Rite of the Dedication of an Altar on Thursday, May 11th at 6pm. This is a rare liturgy to attend and they are quite beautiful. (Here is a little video posted recently by the Diocese that has some footage from the celebration of the Dedication of an Altar) This is open to the whole parish and will be a special time of celebrating the gift of the new renovation. In this Mass I will honor the parish, our staff, parish council and finance council members who have worked so hard to make all of the renovation I hope to see you there!
Your servant in the Lord,
Fr. Mathias