Is your parish on the road to Renewal?

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:14–16 

An improved parish is a good thing, and through our Parish Renewal Plans, we are indeed seeing wonderful improvements. Yet I do not believe that is the ultimate goal. Rather, through Renewal, we are praying for and actively seeking transformed parishes that shine so brilliantly that every soul through our doors cannot but experience the Saviour who illumines, heals, and transforms them.  ​

​Every aspect of our parish life should be reframed towards this end. Renewal is something you can almost taste: in preaching that opens the Word of God and leads people more deeply to Christ; in a beautiful sacred space and prayerful music for worship; in a community where each person is welcomed and accompanied; in generous service to those within and beyond the parish; and in the faithful stewardship of the gifts God has entrusted to us. The light must not remain inside the basket, but shine out to the entire neighbourhood, drawing souls into it and leading them to Him. 
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Through Renewal, we all become missionaries. 

As we approach a full year since our Renewal Plans were initially launched, we should consider our progress against this mission Christ gave us.  Every parish is in a different place, and that’s okay. Let us consider the next big leap.   
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To help guide the way, here are five scriptures to reflect on, each based on one of the established keys to successful parish renewal: 

Are we becoming missionary? 

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”
​– Mark 16:15 

Renewal means placing a primacy on evangelization and mission.

​To fulfill our Lord’s command, we can adopt both organic one-on-one evangelization and intentional parish-based programs, such as Alpha or Christ Life. More deeply, it means creating a parish culture where we are ready to invite, accompany, and share our faith with others. 

​For reflection: Who are we currently not reaching, and what could we do differently to reach them? 

Are we forming leaders for the mission?  ​

Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counsellors there is safety." – Proverbs 11:14 

We can have the best laid plans but without well–formed and visionary parish leadership and teams we will not be able to execute on them as well as we should. Renewal means placing an emphasis on leadership training for our pastors and parish leaders, recognizing and forming others who can share responsibility for the mission, so that they are equipped to face the many challenges along the way together. 
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For reflection: Who are we forming and empowering to help carry out the parish's mission? 

Are we becoming a community where people belong? ​

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” – Matthew 25:35-36 

To succeed in Renewal, we must see in each person a son or daughter of God, whom He wishes to love through us. A renewed parish is strong in community and hospitality.  It is a place where people care for each other through meal trains, helping each other with big tasks like moving, and by visiting those in the community who are sick.   

Also when a new person arrives at mass, parishioners in a renewed parish reach out to them, welcoming them home, and helping them into the life of the parish.  They walk with them. 

For reflection: What happens to someone from the moment they first walk through our doors, and what helps them know they belong? ​

Is everything rooted in prayer and Christ?  ​

Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendour." – Psalm 29:2 ​

A parish that is transformed by Renewal places high priority on the power of prayer and the sacramental life. This means that its parishioners take personal prayer seriously, setting aside time each day to soak in the presence of the Lord, allowing Him to invigorate and inspire their mission.   

The prayer of the whole parish should also be one of complete surrender to the Lord, begging the Holy Spirit for guidance. We do not want our best ideas, but rather His Holy will for us.   ​

For reflection: Are our ministries and decisions flowing from prayer and leading people into a deeper encounter with Christ? 

Are we turning discernment into action? ​

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.” – Proverbs 21:5 ​

Finally, the path to Renewal requires concrete plans and accountability. Without a real specific plan plus the means to follow up on each action within it, our hopes for a transformed parish will remain largely a wish. 

​For reflection: What is our next concrete step, who will take responsibility for it, and when will we review its fruit? ​

If each of us is meant to be light to the world, our parish is meant to be lights in our neighbourhoods, towns, and reserves. May they become so brilliant that all may give glory to our Father in heaven. ​

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 Written by Ryan Schmidt, Director of Renewal.