Parish Convening focuses on laity

At the annual Albany diocesan Parish Convening last weekend, Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, used his keynote address, "Called, Chosen and Sent," to drive home an important point: Lay ministers are loved, called and sent by God to do their work -- and the Church appreciates what they do.

The convening was held Nov. 3 at Christian Brothers Academy in Colonie, where more than 400 parish representatives, staff and administrators attended workshops on such topics as vocation discernment, collaboration in ministry, welcoming strangers into the parish, forgiveness and spiritual direction.

The event was sponsored by the diocesan Pastoral Planning Office, the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Formation for Ministry program.

Affirming laity

Bishop Kicanas said: "In tough times, when we think, 'What does it matter if I do this?' it is imperative to remember that we are lovingly called by God to be disciples who reach out to others with Christ's love and compassion."

He noted that the U.S. bishop's document, "Co-Workers in the Vineyards of the Lord," was written to affirm the laity.

"The document says that you matter, that you are appreciated by the Church," he noted. "Even though the Church can't exist without ordained ministers for sacramental purposes, we must continue to affirm the presence and work of the laity. Each and every one of us needs to know that we matter."

Collaboration

The bishop explained that the document reminds lay ministers to be "collaborators in ministry while continuing to learn about their faith.

"Collaboration in ministry is easy to say, but often hard to do," he noted.

He added that "ministry can be perceived as conflictual. By being collaborators, we can work together; and by advancing our understanding of our faith, we can remain lifelong learners."

'Tough times'

Bishop Kicanas also talked about the importance of ministry and the life of the Church in an ever-changing world.

"Have you experienced PMT -- post-millennial tension?" he asked.

"It is an uneasiness that seems to have pervaded the world since the change of the millennium. Pope John Paul II had such great expectations of this time. He often spoke of faithfully applying the teachings of Vatican II to a world at peace. We thought it would be a time of unheard-of peace and prosperity, yet we are still at war. There are still massacres, still hunger and poverty.

"Our young people tell us that the Church does not connect with them, and they find no reason to be part of it. They have lost heart with the institution of the Church."

'Rainbows of hope'

"So what matters to those of us who minister in this post-millennial Church?" the bishop asked. "We've been called by Christ to be ministers, and we must never forget how precious and important that call is, even in the tough times.

"You are the marvelous rainbows of hope in today's Church. We are not beyond hope. The sure conviction that God is faithful and true, and never disappoints enables us to take our message out into the world.

LESSONS TAKEN FROM KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The Evangelist asked some of those at the Parish Convening how Bishop Kicanas' message affected them:

* Diane Welch, facilitator of the bereavement ministry at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Latham, said, "I thought his talk was very engaging. He reminded me that we are all chosen by God to do what we are doing, and that we are loved and appreciated, no matter what we think."

* Irene Leeds, a member of the prayer and worship committee at St. Teresa of Avila parish in Albany, remarked, "The message of being called, chosen, loved and sent is so important to me. Now I can go back and tell our Pastoral Council that we are indeed important. Bishop Kicanas inspired me to step forward and encourage others to come into ministry. We always need volunteers to make our Church more welcoming than it already is."

* Elizabeth Schlesier-Flaska, pastoral associate for faith formation at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Colonie, noted, "As ministers, we often do not feel affirmed in what we do. He also said we must be life-long learners, so I see the challenge as continuing to develop my faith."

The Evangelist asked some of those at the Parish Convening how Bishop Kicanas' message affected them:

* Diane Welch, facilitator of the bereavement ministry at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Latham, said, "I thought his talk was very engaging. He reminded me that we are all chosen by God to do what we are doing, and that we are loved and appreciated, no matter what we think."

* Irene Leeds, a member of the prayer and worship committee at St. Teresa of Avila parish in Albany, remarked, "The message of being called, chosen, loved and sent is so important to me. Now I can go back and tell our Pastoral Council that we are indeed important. Bishop Kicanas inspired me to step forward and encourage others to come into ministry. We always need volunteers to make our Church more welcoming than it already is."

* Elizabeth Schlesier-Flaska, pastoral associate for faith formation at Our Lady of Mercy parish in Colonie, noted, "As ministers, we often do not feel affirmed in what we do. He also said we must be life-long learners, so I see the challenge as continuing to develop my faith."

* Rev. Dennis Murphy, parish administrator of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction, said, "Bishop Kicanas made some very important points in his statements, and the way he did that was quite effective. I liked all his stories, but especially his reference to Pope Paul VI, who said that on a personal level he felt a 'terror and an ecstasy to be a child of God washed in the water of life through Baptism.' That struck me as awesome. Everyone needs to be affirmed and [to have] their work reaffirmed. We are all important to the Church. I personally need to hear this message over and over again." (PP)

* Rev. Dennis Murphy, parish administrator of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction, said, "Bishop Kicanas made some very important points in his statements, and the way he did that was quite effective. I liked all his stories, but especially his reference to Pope Paul VI, who said that on a personal level he felt a 'terror and an ecstasy to be a child of God washed in the water of life through Baptism.' That struck me as awesome. Everyone needs to be affirmed and [to have] their work reaffirmed. We are all important to the Church. I personally need to hear this message over and over again." (PP)

(11/08/07)