Having a Mission Statement helps to define our Christian goals and guide the actions of the Eparchy on a path that would please the Lord.
Looking ahead and attempting to guess what the future may bring is a daunting and perhaps impossible challenge. We may have our sights on an ultimate goal and hope that our choice of actions will lead us there.
Underlying a mission statement are our BELIEFS, VALUES AND GOALS. As I think about this issue the following are thoughts that I am sure most people involved in this project have dealt with in some fashion.
Belief Statements:
I Believe:
--that God exists,
--that His Spirit is always present among us,
--that He has promised us salvation,
--that He has promised us abundance on earth,
--that He has come to earth to SERVE us through his Word and His Son,
--that by believing and living the Word through Jesus we will find salvation.
--that the writings in the Bible were inspired by God,
--that the Holy Bible is our source and our guiding light,
--that our bodies are the temple of the Lord,
--that God works through each of us,
--that the Lord loves us always and forever.
Value Statemens:
I value:
--the teachings of the Saints
--the guidance of the Catholic Church
--the Church (people)
--the ordained ministry and all serving the church
--church community
--the symbols of our church, and of our rite
Goals:
Ultimate Goal: To live forever with our Lord.
Short term goals:
--To live the Word of God.
In so doing, we would create peace and harmony. We would achieve God's promise of abundance on earth. We would create a fertile ground on which the seeds of vocations would flourish. We would each help to strengthen our faith. The Church within our Rite would strengthen and grow.
--to provide opportunities to grow in our understanding of Scripture,
--to support our clergy,
--to show compassion and support of our parishioners
--to reach out to people in need outside---- our parish--our city--our province--our country
--to encourage and invite people to celebrate and worship along with us
--to welcome and include all to join our faith , (others come to mind)
The draft mission statement that was thought out and written is indeed inspired. A wonderful job done to lead us on our Christian future.
The leading portion of the mission statement directing us to live the word of God with joy and zeal is in keeping with the concensus as outlined in the Pastoral Plan of the Vocations Congress held in Montreal in 2004. Among many other marvelous benefits, the object is to create a fertile ground on which the seeds of vocations may grow and flourish. Wonderful!
I do have a small amendment to the mission statement for consideration.
The life of our Church and our rite depends largely on membership. As we travelled through several parts of Europe this year, we came upon many, large and magnificent churches. Sadly, many of the churches were no more than a monument or museum rather than a building housing a living, active, thriving Christian community. Congregations give life to the buildings. Membership in churches in our Eparchy is absolutely vital. Out reach programs - charitable, educational, spiritual -- are important means of bringing people to worship in our beautiful churches and give reason for attendance. The mission statement should clearly emphasize our intention of reaching out to others in an inclusive manner.
Based on the book of St. James, "faith without action is dead." Service to others is a way of witnessing our faith. Service to others is a way of encouraging others to join with us and possibly becoming active members of our church community. Allowing for all parishioners, young and old, to be involved in service to others, provides a opportunity for growth in personal spirituality.
Consider:
reaching out to all people in service with love and in proclaiming His word - “reaching out to all people” implies inclusive, charitable, spititual, physical, and financial help to groups or individuals within and outside a parish. The word “service” implies an overt action that definitely goes beyond mere “lip service” and would be in keeping with the readings from the book of St. James.
Major ideas imbedded in this mission statement: VOCATION CULTURE--OUT REACH --SERVICE--EVANGELIZATION
"The faithful of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton are called to joyfully lead the life taught by the Risen Christ, reaching out to all people, in serving with love and in proclaiming His word, for the glory of God."
The image of Christ knocking at a door and reaching out to serve others, reflects well on the mission statement.
Parishioners at Saint Basil the Great Parish, Edmonton, Alberta |
