Condition of this Website – We are sorry to say that this website is not working properly due to several circumstances. This page is the only one we can partially update. Some links on other pages are broken and cannot be fixed. We are looking at other avenues, so we are staying here for now and are ready to make the migration as soon as it is possible. We do not know how long of a process this will be, so we are grateful for your patience!
News
A New Year – New Opportunities!
As we begin a new calendar year, may it be a year filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a willingness to go where God leads us!
Annual Meetings
If you did not recently have your annual Parish Meeting, you may be planning to have it soon. This will give your parish an opportunity to make plans for activities and services, all for the Glory of God.
Also please remember that our Church will have a General Synod this year September 28 – 30, so please provide for the election of lay delegates.
Outreach Tip for January (From our Outreach Team)
Make Sundays Visibly Joyful – Why It Matters and How to Do It
People decide how they feel about a parish within the first few minutes of arriving. Before they hear the homily, before the music begins, before a word is spoken – they read the room. If the atmosphere feels cold, tense, distracted, or joyless, visitors assume the faith itself is heavy and burdensome. But when joy is visible, people ins..nc..vely think: Something living is happening here. Joy does not mean fake cheerfulness. It means peace, warmth, welcome, and life that is rooted in Christ.
- Teach That Joy Is Evangelical
Joy is not decoration – it is proclamation. A joyful congregation silently preaches:
God is real; Grace is at work; Hope is alive here.
A gloomy church may be orthodox, but it will rarely be inviting. - Encourage Facial Hospitality
Many people unknowingly look guarded, tired, or closed off at Mass. Gentle formation can help: Make eye contact; Use natural smiles; Acknowledge others with a nod or quiet greeting; Avoid rushing in and out without noticing people. Visitors often decide whether or not they will return based on one face that made them feel seen. - Elevate the Energy of Participation
Joy increases when people participate instead of spectate:
Singing with intention; Strong, confident responses; Receptive posture during prayer;
Active listening during the homily.
When people engage outwardly, their hearts often follow inwardly. - Preach With Hope, Not Just Precision
Truth must always be preached, but it should be hope-filled truth. People today are overwhelmed by: Anxiety; Family struggles; Moral confusion; Fear of the future.
A joyful homily does not deny suffering – it shows people where God is inside it. - Celebrate Small Moments of Grace
Joy grows when the parish notices God’s quiet movements:
Baptisms; Reconciliations; Returning parishioners; Healing stories; Vocations;
Service projects. Even brief recognitions remind people: God is acting among us. - Make After-Mass Encounters Warm
The liturgy ends, but the impact continues in:
Friendly conversations; Relaxed fellowship; Coffee and donuts; Parish courtyard greetings. A joyful dismissal means people linger – not rush away. - Teach That Joy Is a Choice, Not a Mood
Many come to Mass burdened. Joy does not mean ignoring pain – it means choosing to place that pain in God’s hands. Help parishioners understand:
You can be grieving and still joyful; You can be struggling and still hopeful; You can be uncertain and still at peace. That kind of joy is magnetic.
Core Message to the Parish
If people cannot see joy in us, they will struggle to believe that Christ truly heals. But when joy is visible – quietly, consistently, authentically – people will come not because they were marketed to, but because they were drawn.
All glory to the Lamb of God Who is the foundation of our joy!
Need Guidance or Assistance?
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions about administrative, parish, or outreach matters. We are happy to help any way we can!
Wishing You and Your Loved Ones Health and Happiness in the New Year 2026!
Upcoming Events
National Mission and Evangelism Workshop – May 29 to 31
National Youth Convocation – August 3 to 7
General Synod – September 28 to 30
Thank You for all you do for our Church!