Immaculate Conception, Glenville

First and foremost on behalf of the Pastoral Council I would like to wish all of our parishioners and their families the happiest and healthiest of New Years.  A new year lays the ground work for new opportunities  in our personal lives and in our Parish.  We hope to tap into those opportunities and turn them into endless possibilities.

As you may know the Council has been posting the Seven Elements that form the Essence of Parish Life in the weekly bulletin.   Each element has been broken down on how it may apply to the Parish community and to each individual within the Parish.  The Pastoral Council has been focusing on these elements as well.  We have been gathering information so that we may better come to know and understand more about Immaculate Conception itself.  From this information our plan is to set up goals and objectives that will best fit the needs of our Parish.  We have been meeting on a monthly basis and at times biweekly to do so.

While considering what to mention in this update I found myself struck by conversations that I had been having with different folks as well as the scripture readings of the past few weeks.  Within those conversations and readings these words came to light:  boldness, abundance, joyful engagement, passion, talents and gifts.  Immaculate Conception is a fortunate community in many ways, but especially in that there are so many members involved in so many ministries.  "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit."  1 Cor. 12:4.   "For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts." 1 Cor. 12:14.

With that in mind I would like to encourage every parishioner to speak boldly; "For Zion’s sake I will not be silent" Isaiah 62:1, share abundantly your gifts and talents, and engage yourselves joyfully and passionately within our Parish.

Please share with us your comments and concerns either through our email icpastoralcouncil@gmail.com or through the Pastoral comment box which will be placed in the Parish soon.
 
Keep us in your prayers as we continue moving forward in our journey, and may God bless you all.

Yours in Christ,
Claudia O’Brien

The Pastoral Council Members are:

Judy Brodeur                       Claudia O'Brien
Nick Bomba                          Bob Ottaviano
Sean Caron                           Madeleine Smith
Maria Groves                       Helen Smrstik
Kim Klementowski               Kelly Stiffen
Hank Maddalone                 Terry Topka
Thomas McGuinness           Ketryk Wilder
Luke Nally

Service

Christ calls all of us into service for each other, to works of charity and justice.  This is a basic tenet of our discipleship and was shown by Jesus throughout his public ministry.  Christ has shown us that while we work to eliminate social injustices, we are to take care of those in need.  We are to serve them, as Christ served his followers.

Stewardship

We are the stewards of all God’s creations.  Responsible stewardship requires us to graciously offer our God-given gifts and resources to each other.  We bestow our time, talent and treasure to our parish and our community.  To the extent possible, we take responsibility for all that God has entrusted to us.

Community

Community is the parish life element that draws us together to love, to grow, to celebrate and support one another, our parish and our community.  By giving of ourselves to the other parish life elements, we are drawn together in our faith to form the bonds of community.  This community, by reaching out to serve others, shows that everyone fits in here, that there is always a place for anyone.

Word

The Word of God is essential to deepening our faith.  We help to build our community of faith by our interaction with the Word.  This interaction can be listening to His Word in celebration of the Gospel; teaching His Word to our youth and adults; or sharing it with our family, friends or community.  All of these ways help us grow in our love for God and to understand His nature. 

Worship

Worship encompasses so many aspects of our faith life.  Among these are personal and communal prayer; evangelization; the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist and other sacramental and liturgical rites.  The parish’s spiritual life should exalt its mission, give expression of its faith to the community; and show its commitment to advancing the Kingdom of God. 

Evangelization

This word encompasses all the ways in which we bring forth the message of Christ Jesus – proclaiming the Gospel; sharing our faith with family, friends or the community.  Evangelization is an essential mission of the Church and its parishes.  Each Parish has its own special way to evangelize.  Evangelization is paramount in our call to bear witness to Christ; to practice our faith exuberantly; to share our faith and invite others to do so as well; and to change society.

Leadership

For the Pastoral Council to be effective, there must be a shared leadership between the clergy and the laity, calling forth the gifts of [en]visioning, planning, empowering and evaluating.  In order to fulfill/realize the Parish Mission Statement, these gifts must be given in service of the community.  Although Fr. Jerry, ultimately, bears the authority and responsibility for the parish, the gifts of the laity are important in service of the parish.  Fr. Jerry and the Pastoral Council work together, each with their own leadership style, gifts and talents toward fulfilling the Parish Mission.