Bishop McGrattan: Parish Renewal & the Call to Holiness

4/6/2025

Parish Leaders Renewal Gathering at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, Calgary

Our Diocesan Renewal continues to gain momentum. There was a “buzz” of enthusiasm and commitment evident at each of the four Lenten Renewal Gatherings in March 2025.

These events were hosted in different parish locations throughout the Diocese. Those who attended included parish renewal leadership team members, members of parish councils and finance committees, representatives from lay associations such as the Catholic Women’s League (CWL), the Knights of Columbus (KofC), St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP), and others involved in a wide range of parish ministries and outreach initiatives.

The Diocesan Renewal Leadership Team has been intentional and strategic about widening the circle by inviting those in various leadership roles within the parish. These parish teams will be instrumental in the next phase of our renewal: the development of a specific renewal plan in each of our 68 parishes.

Each Lenten gathering began with the celebration of Mass. This symbolized the reality that it is only through our participation in the Eucharist that the Church is united and in communion with Christ. In this celebration, the many diverse ministries and roles of service are harmonized by the Spirit in mission—to be a Church of encounter and witness.

Parish Leaders Renewal Gathering at Holy Family, Medicine Hat

The new Director of Renewal, Mr. Ryan Schmidt, gave an update on where the Diocese and parishes currently stand on the path of renewal, and outlined the important next steps in developing parish renewal plans. He also announced that parishes submitting their plans by June 15 will be entered into a draw for a BBQ dinner hosted and cooked by the Bishop—just one more incentive to celebrate the hard work being done across our parishes to promote this renewal.

At these gatherings, I shared the following message and insights from the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte by Pope John Paul II, written at the close of the Great Jubilee Year of 2000. Now, 25 years later, in our process of renewal in the Diocese of Calgary, we are implementing his vision:

It is in the local churches that the specific features of a detailed pastoral plan can be identified—goals and methods, formation and enrichment of the people involved, the search for the necessary resources—which will enable the proclamation of Christ to reach people, mould communities, and have a deep and incisive influence in bringing Gospel values to bear in society and culture.” (NMI, no. 29)

Our efforts in pastoral planning and renewal have not been focused on adopting a pre-existing program of evangelization or generic renewal strategies. Rather, we are building upon the plan of the Gospel and the Church’s living Tradition, adapted through pastoral initiatives that reflect the realities of each parish, while collectively focusing on how to implement the three diocesan pastoral renewal priorities and nine action items in every community.

I reminded the parish leaders gathered that, “All pastoral initiatives must be set in relation to our growth in holiness.” (NMI, no. 30). It is true that holiness cannot be planned; however, it will be the surest sign of the fruits of our parish renewal efforts. As St. John Paul II stated:

The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone the high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction.” (NMI, no. 31)

Parish Leaders Renewal Gathering at St. James' Parish in Okotoks

Our Diocesan Renewal must engage our parishes in new and creative ways to promote a “training in holiness”—to offer opportunities to grow in the art of prayer, both personal and communal. We must respond in new and bold ways to the growing demand for spirituality among our young people, and ensure that our parishes become genuine “schools” of prayer, where we meet Christ in thanksgiving, praise, petition, contemplation, listening to His Word, and in Eucharistic devotion, until our hearts find rest in Him. This can be achieved by giving proper attention to the liturgy—especially the Sunday Eucharist, which is the privileged place where our communion in Christ is nourished, and we are strengthened with our brothers and sisters for missionary outreach.

Pastoral planning at the parish level will most likely focus on action items and goals to sustain parish life; however, it must also remain open to the guidance of the Spirit in envisioning new and concrete actions of renewal. In the Christian life, every step of renewal—whether personal or communal—must acknowledge the primacy of grace. All efforts in renewal and planning will fall short if we fail to recognize that “without Christ we can do nothing” (cf. Jn 15:5).

As we enter this next phase of Diocesan Renewal, let us humbly remember what Scripture tells us: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.” Our parish pastoral renewal plans will bear lasting fruit if those developing them embrace these insights and principles in the important work they undertake. Thus we pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit in the ongoing renewal of our Diocese.