Core Team Update #12

The Role of Prayer in the Life of a Disciple

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely;

In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.”   -Proverbs 3:5

Being a faithful disciple requires not only that we ask for God’s blessings in our lives and in the lives of others, but also that we listen closely to how God is speaking to us in prayer, in scripture, and in the lives of those we meet.   Jesus modeled the discipline of prayer for us—both publically and privately.  He deliberately took the time to pray about major decisions (such as choosing His disciples) and he sought God’s assistance in facing the challenges of his ministry (like before his arrest and crucifixion). He taught his disciples to pray that God’s will might be done in their individual lives and in the work they shared.

As members of Parish Core Teams, we must be equally as diligent about turning to God in prayer.   In silence, in reflection on the scripture, in shared prayer with the community, we must be attentive for the small voice of God speaking in our hearts and minds.  Only in the practice of prayer can we discern how God is leading  us. Only in God will we find the strength and inspiration to guide our parishes to discover the faith-filled future that God wants for the Diocese of Trenton.

 

Dear Core Team Members:

The proposed listing of cohort parishes was distributed for your review the week of January 25th. If you have questions about the cohorts, please address them to Monsignor Troiano by this Friday February 5th by email or phone. After the cohorts have been finalized, they will be published on theFaith in Our Future web site.

Please make a note of the next steps for Core Teams:

• Plan meetings for every other week through the first week in March for the task forces and/or core team.
• Continue evaluating the 4 areas of parish life in ways that involve the whole parish (e.g. surveys, task forces, work groups, town hall meetings, etc.).
• Implement your communications strategy to keep your fellow parishioners involved. Contact your Reid Group consultant with your questions and concerns.

As you continue your regular meetings as a core team, plan for regular communications with parishioners through bulletin announcements, announcements at Mass, messages on your website and more.

If you have not already done so, please encourage all your parishioners to view the six- minute video message from Bishop O’Connell introducing Faith in Our Future at

http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org/faithinourfuture/. Also encourage parishioners to look at all of the resource material for Faith in Our Future on the web site.

 

Cohort Training Sessions will be held March 15-16, 2016. Please note your calendars since these will be the only training sessions.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All Burlington, Mercer and Ocean County Parishes Core Team Members will attend thesession designated for their county. Due to the number of parishes in Monmouth County we have scheduled two training sessions.  The Monmouth County Parish Core Teams will be assigned to a designated meeting.

 MERCER COUNTY COHORT TRAINING

(ALL MERCER COHORTS)  

TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 2016

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saint David the King Parish Center, West Windsor, NJ

MONMOUTH COUNTY TRAINING

(COHORTS 11-16 ONLY)

TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 2016

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saint Mary’s Parish Center, Colts Neck, NJ

OCEAN COUNTY COHORT TRAINING

(ALL OCEAN COHORTS)  

TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 15, 2016

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

St. Luke’s Parish Center, Toms River, NJ

BURLINGTON COUNTY COHORT TRAINING

(ALL BURLINGTON COHORTS )   

WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 16, 2016

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saint Isaac Jogues Parish Center, Evesham, NJ

MONMOUTH COUNTY COHORT TRAINING

(COHORTS 17-21 ONLY)

WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 16, 2016

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saint Mary’s Parish Center, Colts Neck, NJ

Here are a few frequently asked questions about Faith in Our Future:

Our team has significant scheduling conflicts on both a March 15 and 16. Will there be an alternate date or dates offered for teams or at least individuals unable to participate in the cohort training sessions on March 15 or 16?

 We would encourage you to get an update from fellow core team members and/or consult with your Reid Group consultant on specific questions. We recognize that every- one has a busy schedule and yet we ask all core team members to make every effort to attend one of the sessions.

 

As we gather input for the parish evaluation forms, I notice that much of the survey feedback is pretty optimistic about the state of the parish. What can we do to encourage parishioners to be as honest and realistic as possible in giving their evaluation?

Good question. We want people to help with a realistic assessment of parish life – both the strengths and the struggles. While asking parishioners to be honest and re- alistic in their assessments, it is imperative that the core team interpret the results as realistically as possible. After all, these results are going to be shared and discussed with other members of your cohort.

 

Please let us know what other questions you may have and we will answer them in future updates. Thank you once again for contributing your time and energy to Faith in Our Future.