Ministry in the Parish

 
The parish is where the Church lives.  A parish is a community of faith, of action, and of hope.  The parish is where the Gospel is proclaimed and celebrated, where believers are formed and sent to renew the Earth. 
 
Every Pastor is responsible for seeing the activities listed below are carried out in his parish.  Through collaboration with the Pastor, the people of God share responsibility for these activities:

1. Announcing the Word of God in its entirety to those living in the parish.
2. Instructing lay Christian faithful in the truths of the faith through the homily and through catechetical formation.
3. Fostering works by which the spirit of the Gospel, including issues involving social justice, is promoted.
4. Taking special care for the Catholic education of children and young adults.
5. Bringing the Gospel message to those who have ceased practicing their faith.
6. Seeing to it that the Most Holy Eucharist is the center of the parish assembly of the faithful.
7. Nourishing the Christian faithful through a devout celebration of the Sacraments.
8. Bringing the Christian faithful to the practice of family prayer.
9. Bringing the Christian faithful to full and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy.
10. Striving to know the people of the parish by visiting them and sharing their cares, worries, and especially their grief.
11. Helping the sick, especially those close to death.
12. Making a special effort to seek out the poor, the afflicted, the lonely, those exiled from their own land, and those weighed down with special difficulties.
13. Fostering growth between spouses.
14. Supporting Christian life within the family.
15. Promoting the unity and communion which exists between the parish and both the diocese and the universal Church.

 
Seven elements form the essence of parish life:  Evangelization, Word, Worship, Community, Service, Stewardship, and Leadership.  These elements constantly interrelate in parish life, each nurturing and supporting the other.  Our prayerful gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure are concrete expressions of our faith shared for the Honor and Glory of God and the Good of the Church.