Mission Matters: Nov. 8, 2016

This week’s “Parish Table Talk”:  Prayer for election day; Post-election unity; Disagreeing elegantly; Young adult ministry grants; plus this Thursday’s blog post.

Watch for this Thursday’s Post:

Leading Through Change by Michael Downes, Director of the Monsignor O’Dwyer Retreat House

 Prayer  for Election Day

God our Father,
Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to Your loving care.

You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Reclaim this land for Your glory and dwell among Your people.

Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation´s leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life
and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in seeking
and doing Your will.

Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
Patroness of our land,
grant us the courage to reject the “culture of death.”
Lead us into a new millennium of life.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

Amen.

– Source: catholiconline.com

• Catholics called to be a source of post-election unity: Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, challenges Catholics to be a source of unity following the election results. How? He offers six areas where we can promote unity. How can your parish promote growth in these areas? These points were shared at Catholic Distance University Founder’s Award Dinner, where he and Archbishop Lori were the recipients of the Founder’s Awards.

• Four steps to expressing disagreement elegantly: We are a very polarized country in many issues – sex, religion, politics- so, why not show our leadership among our congregation by inviting people to charitable, honest conversations to overpower the mistrust and intolerance that come too quickly?  You might find this quick guide to  expressing disagreement elegantly useful in many areas, not only during this post-election season.

• Funding available for Catholic young adult ministry projects: The non-profit Friends of Young Adult Ministry Foundation is now providing grants nationwide ranging from $500 to $5,000 for creative programs and innovative approaches for outreach to young adults. For more information, visit the foundation’s website or e-mail grantrequest@foyam.org.

Transitions

Welcome, Sarah Jarzembowski! Coordinator of Young Adult and College Campus Ministry

Sarah  has been working in pastoral ministry for more than fifteen years starting out as a parish youth minister in the suburbs of Chicago and then moving to college campus and young adult ministries in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois.

In 2013, Sarah and her husband moved to the D.C. area where she worked in national retreat ministry and, most recently, with the Catholic Apostolate Center. She has spoken across the country at youth rallies, young adult Theology-on-Tap nights, and offered workshops on health and spirituality for young church professionals.

When she is not talking about young adult ministry, Sarah and her husband enjoy exploring the National Park System and planning their next Disney getaway. You can reach her at the Division of Youth, Young Adult, and College Campus Ministry by calling (410) 547-5318 or e-mailing her at sarah.jarzembowski@archbalt.org. 

 Questions? Feedback? Please leave a comment below