All of us have been called to the vocation of holiness, to become instruments of God’s boundless love and abundant mercy in the world. It is not an insignificant call; it is a profound affirmation that we truly matter. Each one of us, in our uniqueness, contributes to the beauty and unfolding of God’s gift of salvation through Christ in the world. This Pastoral Renewal will allow us to see that we belong to the Body of Christ, a community of missionary disciples united in the one mission and committed together to walking and inviting others to know the love of our Lord.
Year 2 of our Diocesan Pastoral Renewal Journey
We have begun the second year of our Pastoral Renewal journey. On this occasion, Bishop McGrattan encourages us with these words: “No matter who you are, where you are, or what you have experienced… cast your nets into the deep, and believe in the work that the Lord is entrusting to us in the renewal of our parishes and the Diocese.”
CATHOLICS IN THE DIOCESE OF CALGARY ARE CALLED TO
FORM MISSIONARY DISCIPLES IN CHRIST
Invite others to know Christ
Teach the great story of Jesus and His Church
Practice the Faith
BE A CHURCH OF ENCOUNTER AND WITNESS
Listen to others' lived experience
Witness to Christ in word and deed
Lead with Christian mercy and passion
STRENGTHEN FAMILY LIFE
Welcome families to a sacramental life
Engage families and youth meaningfully
Accompany people at all stages of life
YOU ARE CALLED. YOU MATTER. YOU BELONG. These simple yet profound words capture the essence of the Pastoral Renewal. Pastoral Renewal involves the commitment of the clergy, religious, and the faithful in the Diocese of Calgary to authentically grow closer to Jesus who calls us to follow Him and live His mission in this particular moment in time.
Similar to the early Church, the synodal renewal of our faith communities depends on the primacy of grace, the witness of prayer and worship, communion, faith formation, outreach and leadership. These are the foundations of every parish faith community.
In our parishes the Word, the celebration of the Sacraments, the teaching and pastoral Tradition of the Church become our lived experiences, and through this renewal, we seek to invite others to join us in this journey. The Pastoral Renewal is not a pastoral planning process that comes equipped with GPS technology that is intended to provide turn-by-turn directions or predetermined pastoral programs and/or initiatives. Instead, it serves as a compass to strengthen our synodal experience of communion, mission, and participation. The three areas of pastoral priority and nine actions presented in the Pastoral Renewal are meant to orient us towards Jesus Christ and His kingdom. They serve as coordinates, indicating the path of discernment and the direction we will embark upon with the Holy Spirit as our guide.
