Welcome to the latest Diocese of Lansing Realignment Resources for Mission weekly update. Happy Feast of Pope Saint Callistus I. This week we are exploring another principle of the Realign Resources for Mission vision. Today:
“A healthy parish in the Diocese of Lansing equips and empowers parish staff by creating a healthy team aligned to the mission and vision of the parish"
Realign Resources for Mission Principle 2.5
Read a great article by Deacon Ken Preiss from Holy Redeemer Parish in Burton. Deacon Ken is also the Director of Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Lansing. Drawing upon his experience in industry, he explains how good teamwork within a parish, centered on Jesus Christ, can help achieve the greatest of goals: the salvation of souls.
Watch a short video by Deacon Devon Wolfe of Saint Mary Magdalen Parish in Brighton. Deacon Devon is also member of the Realign Resources for Mission Committee. He believes this committee has been a model of good teamwork but only because its work has been rooted in prayerful communion with Jesus Christ.
Pray this Friday, our Day of Great Mercy, for the apostolic success of the Michigan Catholic Women's Conference to be held in Lansing this Saturday, October 16. May Our Lady be a powerful role model and intercessor for all Catholic women. Amen.
This week's Realign Resources for Mission Principle:
“A healthy parish in the Diocese of Lansing equips and empowers parish staff by creating a healthy team aligned to the mission and vision of the parish"
Realign Resources for Mission Principle 2.5
With
Deacon Ken Preiss,
Holy Redeemer Parish, Burton.
October 14, 2021
Feast of Pope Saint Callistus I
Dear Friend,
In my previous career at General Motors, I was responsible for implementing different size construction projects, some very large and some small. Regardless of the size, each project was very important to the person who requested it. A healthy and focused team of architects, engineers, and contractors was a fundamental requirement for the successful completion of any project we attempted.
In my experience of a healthy construction team, the members respect each other’s expertise and knowledge. They trust each other enough to feel free to speak their opinions without fear of being dismissed or invalidated. Even in times of disagreement, everyone has a voice and a point of view that is heard. Occasionally, someone will see something from a perspective that others have not, which can keep a project on track and avoid costly delays and disruptions. For a healthy team, that works together, there is simply no obstacle that can’t be overcome.
Image: Sir Stanley Spencer, R.A. (1891-1959) The Garage
Upon completion of a particularly large and difficult project, we would take a moment to celebrate and reflect, almost in awe of what we had achieved together. Gratitude for the relationships that were formed inspired us to move on to the next project. A healthy team can do what no one can do alone.
Our parishes have a mission. It’s not a construction project, but something far more important, in the person of Jesus Christ, to introduce our family and friends to the deepest happiness, meaning and peace that this life can offer, and help them get to Heaven in the next. On our own it would be very difficult, if not impossible to do this, but together we can.
Image: Sir Stanley Spencer, R.A. (1891-1959) The Last Supper
In the life of a parish a healthy team is a fundamental requirement to successfully carry out this mission. A team that trusts one another, to the point they love one another, care for one another, pray for one another, and forgive one another. A team where this trust, love, prayer, and forgiveness frees them, even in times of disagreement, to fearlessly express their thoughts and ideas allowing all of them to be heard. A team that brings these thoughts and ideas to God in prayer and discerns what it is God is calling them to do. A team that is united in following that call. A team that prays, reflects, and celebrates, in awe of what God has done through them. A team that is grateful for the relationships that are formed, which, because of their love, will last a lifetime. It is my experience that with a healthy team like this, there is simply no resistance or obstacle to introducing our family and friends to happiness, meaning and peace through Jesus, that can’t be overcome. Together we can do what we could never do alone.
Yours in Christ,
Deacon Ken Preiss,
Holy Redeemer Parish, Burton
Watch: Watch this short video by Deacon Devon Wolfe of Saint Mary Magdalen Parish in Brighton. Deacon Devon is also member of the Realign Resources for Mission Committee. He believes the committee has been a model good teamwork but only because its work has been rooted in prayerful communion with Jesus Christ.
This Week's Friday Prayer Intention:
We pray for the apostolic success of this Saturday's Michigan Catholic Women's Conference in Lansing. May Our Lady be a powerful role model and intercessor for all Catholic women. Amen.
Guidelines for Friday Prayer:
Prayer: At three o’clock each Friday afternoon pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To help with prayer, Eucharistic Adoration from Saint Mary Cathedral in Lansing will be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook. If you can’t manage to pray at 3pm? Just say the Holy Rosary whenever you can.
Fasting: The present norms for fasting suggest that we eat no more than one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. It is also permissible to attempt a strict fast. A penitent’s age and health should always be taken into consideration before fasting.
Almsgiving: Giving alms is a “work of justice pleasing to God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2462). Hence, each Friday we should donate money or goods to the poor or perform another act of charity. Let’s not reach sundown on a Friday without having poured out some of the content of our heart or our wallet or both during the day.
