Mission Matters: December 20, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”:  Archbishop Pierre’s message on Young Adults; Myths about your deaf parishioners; Breaking Down Racial Barriers in Detroit: inspiring VIDEO; Liturgy resource: Great is the Mystery; Transitions: New Director of the Office of Respect Life; plus this Thursday’s blog post.

Watch for this Thursday’s Post:

” I Know Him!” by Sue Gudenkauf, Coordinator of Deaf Ministry

•  A space for young adults: Within our ministries, are we creating a space for a young person to have an encounter with Jesus Christ? Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, addressed this question and many more when he spoke to the USCCB Fall General Assembly about the upcoming Synod on Youth, Faith, and Vocational Discernment. As this Synod process begins, let us remember that the international ages for “youth” are between 18 and 35 while here in the U.S., people in that bracket are considered “young adults.”

•   Know your congregation: The first step to ensuring a culture of encounter with our parishioners with disabilities is to clear up some common misconceptions about their disability. This article by the Kennedy Krieger Institute will help you better understand the needs of your deaf congregation during catechesis, worship, and fellowship.

•  Inspiring VIDEO: Check out this video and dream: how could this inspire our local Catholic efforts to do the same, the break down all racial and ethnic barriers to unity of mind and heart in the Body of Christ in Baltimore and beyond?

•  The formative power of Liturgy: Great Is the Mystery is an invaluable resource for catechetical and liturgical leaders. Using reflections, quotes from the Scripture and Church documents, this book opens conversations and draws readers into a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding of the liturgy.

Transitions

New Director for the Office of Respect Life: Johanna Coughlin, former Coordinator of Outreach and Education in the Office of Respect Life and the Project Rachel consultant, will continue the legacy of Linda Brenegan as the new Director of the Office of Respect Life. Congratulations, Johanna!

Questions? Feedback? Please leave a comment below.