MOVING THE FAITH FORWARD

 Introduction

This report has been submitted on behalf of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish.

In keeping with the Archbishop’s direction to continue the conversation begun at last November’s diocesan meeting, we conducted consultations with our parishioners. A workshop was organized and was attended by representatives from each parish committee. All parishioners were invited to participate by completing a questionnaire sent out by E-mail and handed out at weekend Masses and a promotion campaign using posters and the parish bulletin. A special questionnaire was developed for the children enrolled in the parish’s catechetical program and discussed by each class. Participants were asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 for each category their overall level of satisfaction with progress to date and to respond to two questions: “What were the positive things that have happened in our parish in each of the areas of Liturgy & Worship, Evangelization and Justice & Charity”, and “What can we do to improve and move forward”.  From the responses received, it is clear that parishioners feel that there are many good things happening in our parish and are pleased with our pastor’s pastoral leadership. The average rating of satisfaction in each of the areas of ministry were high: Liturgy & Worship - 8 out of 10, Evangelization - 7 out of 10, Justice & Charity - 8 out of 10. The responses to the questionnaires have been used to prepare this report, which will also be presented to our parish community on June 3^rd and will be used as a part of our annual review process to adjust our goals and priorities for future years. 

 In order to place our conclusions in their proper context, we believe it is necessary to describe our journey of discovery, renewal and successes, in response to “Forward in Faith”.

Our Response to Forward in Faith

Forward in Faith invited the people of the Archdiocese of Halifax to embark on a journey of faith, in order to “build an active Archdiocesan community made up of parishes, each one possessing the personnel, physical and financial resources to enable it to flourish, while ministering to the pastoral needs of its people and the world”. When the document was published in 2004, there were two parishes in the north-end of Halifax – St. Stephen’s and St. Joseph’s. The report recommended that these two parishes come together to form one unit to minister to the faithful in this area. Our communities immediately responded to this challenge and began a process of reviewing the document and consultation with parishioners.

Though there were some misgivings among the people of both parishes, it was soon recognized that the status quo was not an option and that an amalgamation was inevitable. And so, further discussions and attempts to collaborate in pastoral activities began. The people of the respective communities were consulted and recommendations were made to Archbishop Prendergast, SJ that the two parishes should merge. These recommendations were accepted and a steering committee was put in place to provide direction in the transition process and to reach consensus on the site for the place of worship. This proved to be a time consuming and emotionally draining process.

On January 1^st, 2006, the parish of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta was formally established, bringing together the two founding communities; and the process of building up our new community, in keeping with the vision outlined in Forward in Faith, began. After several months of intense prayerful discernment, facilitated by Fr. George Leach, S.J., together with a careful assessment of the pros and cons of the two church buildings, aided by a reserve fund study of both buildings, the St. Stephen’s church site was chosen as the place of worship and St. Joseph’s church was closed.  We were aware that the decision on the place of worship had been very difficult. For some, the decision was unfair and unacceptable and they chose to worship elsewhere. Our pastor, Fr. Gilbert Bertrand, O.M.I., has worked hard to bring our two founding communities together and has been supportive of the efforts of the various councils, committees and organizations within the parish. He has had the foresight to call on the strengths and gifts of others to assist him in ministering to the people of the community and has been a positive force in our efforts to move the faith forward in our parish.

 On-going Achievements

Early on in our journey, we recognized that proper leadership was essential, and so, a pastoral council and a financial council were put in place and several parish committees were established or confirmed. A sincere effort was made to integrate the various parish ministries and committees so that both founding communities were properly represented. We also recognized that we needed to do whatever we could to make everyone feel comfortable in this new relationship.

To assist in the long range planning for the parish, a pastoral planning committee was established to look into the needs of the new community and to bring forth pastoral recommendations to the council. After consultations with the parish community, this resulted in the development of a Parish Mission Statement, which  was proclaimed on March 1^st, 2008. Later in the year after careful review by the council, a pastoral plan was completed. The plan, which includes a number of parish goals for the next three to five years, was introduced to the various parish committees and organizations at a special meeting of parish leaders on January 28^th, 2009. These goals together with specific priorities for this year were assigned to the individual committees and organizations to guide them in carrying out their respective mandates. While these organizational and planning activities were going on, the parish committees and organizations, with the able direction & assistance of parish staff, worked on building up the community.

 In the area of Liturgy and Worship, our liturgical celebrations are well planned and meaningful. We have been working to improve participation by the assembly in congregational singing. The pastor’s homilies are seen as relevant and they relate to the community. We are providing opportunities for parishioners to participate in special celebrations such as anointing of the Sick, annual retreats or missions, penitential services during Advent and Lent, as well as Evening Prayer services and Marian devotions. We are working to promote an atmosphere of hospitality at our Lord’s Day liturgies, by having hospitality ministers greet parishioners as they enter the church. Youth participation as ushers, altar servers and taking up the gifts at the Sunday morning Mass is considered a positive step but some feel that we need to be careful not to exclude other parishioners from taking part.

 In the area of Evangelization & Catechesis, we provide a weekly catechetical program, which includes sacramental preparation for the children. There is a general feeling that more needs to be done to provide training and ongoing formation for those involved in Religious Education. We provide the RCIA program whenever candidates express an interest in learning about our faith and provide opportunities during the day for participation in bible study courses. We also are active participants in the annual youth rally at Steubenville by providing support to those who wish to attend.

 In the area of Justice and Charity, there is appreciation for the work that is being done to provide support on a regular basis to persons and families in need, through the various parish organizations particularly the St. Vincent de Paul Society. They, together with the Knights of Columbus, also provide Christmas baskets of gifts and food to selected individuals and families each year. The Knights of Columbus conduct a year-long bottle drive and donate the proceeds to Birthright. The Catholic Womens’ League conducts drives to provide personal articles for Phoenix Centre and financial support to Birthright. The parish co-ordinates the monthly collection of food supplies for Hope Cottage and the annual collection of gifts for the NS Hospital patients at Christmas time. The parish also participated, with other denominations in our area, in sponsoring a refugee family who emigrated to Canada and we are providing support to Sr. Yvonne Pothier in her work with refugees. The generosity of the people of the community in responding to the various collections and drives in support of the less fortunate is very evident. In order to place greater emphasis on the parish’s involvement in this area of ministry, our pastoral council has recently struck a Justice and Charity committee.

 We are providing opportunities for social gatherings such as teas, luncheons, suppers, receptions, etc. in order to continue building up a sense of belonging within our community. We have developed a Seniors’ Day Program where seniors come together each month to socialize and to pray. We co-ordinate visits to hospitals and take communion to those confined to home. Our parish leadership team participates in the local community ministerial association. The Knights of Columbus hold weekly card games primarily for seniors and conduct an annual yard sale and clothing drive for men and women. The parish provides the premises for weekly AA, Guides and Brownies meetings, and weekly crafts get-togethers. Our pastor is very faithful in reaching out to the terminally ill and to the families of those who have died. He is especially gifted in this area of ministry and has been a source of consolation and hope to many in our parish. He also sends personal letters to the bereaved and to parishioners, as a sacramental follow-up on various anniversaries, to assure them of our continued concern. And we are faithful in responding to archdiocesan initiatives, including the various diocesan collections.

Additional Steps to Move the Faith Forward

The following are the additional steps identified to help us to continue to move the faith forward in our parish and within the archdiocese: 

 

1. Promote active participation by all members of the congregation in the Liturgy and offer celebrations at times when families and working people can attend (perhaps one Mass in the evening each week, especially during Lent).  – Priest and Parish Responsibility – Short Term.

2. Introduce more variety in liturgical celebrations, i.e. evening prayer, stations-of-the- cross, adoration and benediction, etc. We should not be afraid to try what may not have worked in the past, recognizing that participation may take time to develop. -  Priest and Parish Responsibility – Medium Term.

3. Provide more opportunities for the training and formation of liturgical ministers and for the education of the faithful in liturgical matters. -  Diocese and Parish Responsibility – Medium Term.

  Evangelization & Catechesis