September 6th Pastor's Message
Dear friends,
Archbishop Smith is very intent on a large-scale renewal of the archdiocese, a renewal involving our parishes, schools, priests, worship and facilities. Over the coming years this renewal is expected to bring about significant change in all of these areas. It is a big undertaking for which much prayer will be needed.
This week the archbishop sent a letter to all pastors announcing a special Renewal Prayer Initiative…
As we continue the Archdiocesan Renewal Process, I ask for your assistance in fostering a common spirit of prayer across the Archdiocese through the regular use of the Prayer for Renewal in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. This prayer invites a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit and asks the Lord to renew our parishes, clergy, schools, stewardship, liturgical life, and missionary discipleship.
Renewal is ultimately the work of the Lord. Plans, consultations, and pastoral initiatives have their place, but lasting renewal begins with prayerful openness to the Holy Spirit. Sunday Mass gathers the largest portion of the faithful and therefore offers a natural occasion for Catholics across the Archdiocese to pray together for this intention.
Accordingly, I ask that the Renewal Prayer be prayed at all Sunday Masses at least twice each month, …. By praying the Renewal Prayer regularly, parishioners will be reminded that renewal is not simply an administrative process but a spiritual journey that calls each of us to deeper holiness, discipleship, and mission…. Through our common prayer, may we remain attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, grateful for the grace already at work among us, and open to where the Lord desires to lead our local Church.
Here is the text of the Prayer for Archdiocesan Renewal…
O God, who make all things new in your Son, Jesus Christ, grant us, we pray, a new and mighty outpouring of your Holy Spirit and renew your Church in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Open our hearts to the cry of your poor and enliven our pastoral charity. Make our celebrations of the Sacred Liturgy fitting offerings of praise to your great glory. Sanctify our Archbishop and priests and send them anew as compassionate shepherds of your people. Revitalize our schools as communities of Catholic faith and authentic humanity.
Grant us new wisdom to steward our resources well in service of the Church’s mission. Infuse our parish families with apostolic boldness to announce the joy of the Gospel. Thoroughly renew us all, Heavenly Father, by your love and mercy. Inspire us to embrace once again our baptismal call to holiness and mission.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We will soon begin to use this prayer regularly at Sunday mass.
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