The First Sunday in Lent

Somewhere I read that we reach our peak in our early 30s. After that, life goes downhill. And yet, the other day a 90 year old parishioner I’d stop to chat with excused herself saying she had to get to the Y and the pool! I don’t know what “peak “ is, but I do know that age is no barrier to self-improvement. With that in mind, a suggestion for Lent.


Most of us dread Lent. We’ve been conditioned to “give up” something for 6 weeks and we angst about what that something should be. Then we get the “guilts” when we cop a smoke, eat a chocolate, or have a beer.

This Lent, forget about “giving up.” Instead, add something to your life.

Start off by imagining people who know you talking about you. You’re not there. What do you hope they are saying about you?

Then take a brief inventory of who you are – not your job or whether you’re a mom or dad, husband or wife, son or daughter, neighbor or co-worker. Instead, who you are as a person in these relationships: generous, trusting, available, courteous, honest, good-humored. Then think about which of these characteristics could use some attention. “I could be more courageous and stop lying.” “I could call my brothers and sisters more often.” “I could take myself less seriously.” “I could take myself more seriously and trust my values and convictions.” Whatever.

Now think about what you could do in the next 6 weeks to make better the good you are already are? What could you do to better to appreciate the person God loves no matter what? To make better the person already worth the Cross?

And instead of “giving up,” spend these 6 weeks “growing up” into the person God knows and loves by name, the person God has given to the rest of us so that we’ll have a real-life, flesh-and-blood experience of God’s love for us.

Come Easter, we all dress up. During Lent we make sure that we’ll look as good on the inside as we do on the outside.

Finally … the church has 2 sacraments of healing: Penance/Reconciliation (“Confession”) and Sacrament of the Sick (some still incorrectly call it “Extreme Unction”). Both aim to put back together what’s fallen apart in our lives with God and others. Penance, what’s fallen apart in the ups and downs of everyday life; Sacrament of the Sick, what’s fallen apart because of age or illness. We celebrate Penance/Reconciliation each Saturday from 9AM-10AM and on Tuesday, March 16 at 7PM. The Sacrament of the Sick is available anytime – simply call on one of the friars. The Sacrament of the Sick should always be requested when you are looking at some hospital time. It can be celebrated in your home, the hospital, a care facility, during daily Mass or after a Sunday Mass.

Strategic Planning

A parishioner suggested that it would help comment and discussion re: the proposed goals of our parish plan if the goals were posted separately. Hence the postings below.

We got a great response from our "pulpit" appeal for folks with expertise in the various aspects of communication. The group met on Feb 3 for an orientations discusssion and will convene again on Feb 24 to begin laying the "platform" upon which to build or improve our various channels of communication.

We also had two "listening" sessions for input on the Seniors goal. We had small numbers but gathered some good information.

Currently, the staff is developing "objectives" aimed at meeting the goals. These will be reviewed by Mar 4. Then we'll create separate "action plans" for executing the objectives.

Your continued comment will help shape this work.

Facilities

Goal: Immaculate Conception, by year end 2011, will have organized for, and begun the process of, developing a facilities use and building plan designed to accommodate the growth of faith formation activity and our office/meeting space requirements.

Young Adults

Goal: The Parish will nurture and build support for young adults, in both the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking communities, by providing theological and spiritual formation, leadership development and service opportunities to assure they are welcomed and encouraged as they come together to connect socially and explore living out their Catholic faith together.

Senior Citizens

Goal: We will develop and implement a strategy that is founded on listening to, and providing care for, the senior citizens of our community to assure they are fully vested in, and contributing to, the life of the parish.

Stewardship

Goal: Our Parish will seek to deepen its understanding of stewardship as a way of life by promoting a grateful and engaged community of parishioners generously giving of their time, talent and treasure.

Adult Faith Enrichment

Goal: Immaculate Conception will survey leading adult formation programs to identify best practices, and then implement exceptional and appealing adult faith enrichment opportunities in the Parish.

Communications

Goal: Immaculate Conception Parish will establish and maintain a progressive, multifaceted and coordinated communications program designed to build community; promote parish unity; and provide timely information on planning, parish activities, and opportunities to serve.

Social Justice

Goal: Our parish community will develop and implement a comprehensive and sustained education effort to form laity for living the Church’s social teaching.

Inclusion

Goal: Immaculate Conception will be a parish where all are invited, welcomed and affirmed, and where diversity is celebrated and a sense of intimacy is cultivated.

Accessibility


Goal: The Immaculate Conception leadership team will be characterized by an understanding of, and a willingness to meet, the needs of parishioners, as well as having a dedication to providing timely assistance to those wishing to access information and services available within the parish and the community at large.

The Sunday Mass Experience

Goal: Immaculate Conception will plan and celebrate Sunday mass as the source and summit of our lives through the full, active, and conscious participation of our people.