Evangelization is not new; rather, we are being asked to bring a new vigor to it and to use new approaches. We are called to reach out to all who live within our parish territories; rich or poor, old or young, those who come to church and those who do not.
Saint Pope John Paul II wrote:
“It is not a matter of inventing a ‘new program.’ The program already exists: it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition…. Ultimately, it has its center in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that in him we may live the life of the Trinity, and with him transform history until its fulfillment in the heavenly Jerusalem. This is a program which …takes account of time and culture for the sake of true dialogue and effective communication…it must be translated into pastoral initiatives adapted to the circumstances of each community.” — Novo Millennio Ineunte, #29
Please keep this mission in mind as your Cohort discusses and responds to the preliminary recommendations. Carefully consider what new and bold pastoral initiatives will be needed to carry the Good News beyond the Catholics currently attending Mass to the unique set of people your parishes have been sent to evangelize.
Cohort core teams are beginning to meet in July and August to discuss the Preliminary Recommendations the Diocesan Planning Commission has made about their cohort and formulate a Response.
The Preliminary Recommendations for each of the cohorts have been posted on the diocesan web site: http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faithinourfuture/
Last week, we sent sample agendas for four cohort core team meetings for Steps 4 and 5 of the Faith in Our Future process. If you did not receive these, please contact Sherrie Sporek atsspore@dioceseoftrenton.org.
Cohort Response forms will be submitted to the Planning Commission by October 1.
Please let us know what questions you have about your work and the whole Faith in Our Futureplanning process and we will answer them in future updates. Thank you once again for contributing your time and energy to this important project.
FAQ—Frequently Asked Questions about Faith in Our Future
How long are the members of the parish and cohort core teams expected to serve?
The work of the current core teams ends with submission of their cohort response to the preliminary recommendations due by October 1st. At that time, pastors/administrators will be asked to appoint four people to join him and serve on parish and cohort implementation teams to start work after Bishop O’Connell has announced his decisions. Typically, the majority of the people want to continue for at least the first year of implementation because they will say things like, “our work is only half done.” However, people are free to say that they do not wish to continue and pastors/administrators are free to invite one or more new members to the team.
What are the requirements for being on a parish and cohort implementation team?
Implementation team members must be committed to carrying out Bishop’s decisions regarding Faith in Our Future, must be able to participate in the implementation training sessions and must be willing to work together with parish and implementation colleagues to develop realistic action plans for both the model and ministry decisions of Bishop O’Connell.
Msgr. Leonard Troiano, ltroiano@dioceseoftrenton.org 1-609-403-7159
Sherrie Sporek, sspore@dioceseoftrenton.org 1-609-403-7193
FAX: 1-609-406-7413
MAILING ADDRESS:
Faith in Our Future, Diocese of Trenton
701 Lawrenceville Road
Trenton, NJ 08648
Burlington & Ocean Counties Consultant
Tom Reid, TReid@TheReidGroup.biz, 1-206-947-2990
Monmouth County Consultant
John Reid, JReid@TheReidGroup.biz, 1-206-947-1055
Mercer County & Bi-Lingual Consultant
Cleo Molina, CMolina@TheReidGroup.biz, 1-206-383-2536