Open Forum

There is no way around it. This year will present numerous adjustments in parish life for us. Of course this isn’t just our parishes: the entire Archdiocese of Cincinnati is experiencing transitions. Even while in Seattle, the priest at the parish we stayed wanted to discuss how the plan was going in Cincinnati because the Archdiocese of Seattle is gearing up for a similar process. He really admired the Cincinnati plan because their Archdiocese had some recent negative experiences with parish realignment.

Just because change is happening all over, doesn’t make it easy. One of the most challenging aspects of it is the confusion that change brings; not everyone is on the same page with what is happening and why it is happening. This confusion can lead to despair, negativity, and resentment.

Over the next few months, we’ll be doing our best to communicate the whys, the whats, and the hows. Even though we say something multiple times, someone inevitably misses the memo.

To help alleviate some of the confusion, we have scheduled four “Open Forums” throughout the next few months. Each campus will host one of the forums. They will take place on Thursdays: August 25th at St. Lawrence, October 27th at St. John, January 26th at Immaculate Conception, and March 30th at St. Joseph. You can come to any or all of the Open Forums. They will each be different based on what is happening at that point in time and based on what questions people have.

These open forums won’t be limited to the Beacons of Light; they will be open to whatever topic or question that you may have. For example, you can ask about youth programs, how to volunteer with the sick, or what our current financial situation is. We are trying to anticipate any questions that you may have, so here are the questions that we have received on multiple occasions:

What is the difference between a single merged parish and a pastoral region?
Why are we changing names?
Why will finances be joined when we are a single parish?
How will budgeting work when we are a single parish?
What happens if people leave?
How are we reaching fallen away Catholics?
Why are our high schoolers participating in formation programs together?
Are other parishes doing this?
How are decisions being made?
And many, many more.

Please come to our open forums. It will be an opportunity to discuss the future. Looking towards the future will give us an opportunity to prayerfully reflect on God’s plan for our parishes. As Jesus says in the Gospel this weekend, He wants to set the world ablaze with love. May we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit so that the fire of His love may dwell in our souls.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Sean Wilson