Hear ye, Hear ye

Dear Friends of St. Mary,

It was TOWN MEETING TIME AT ST. MARY’S on Sunday evening June 8, 2003. Some weeks prior to that date the Parish Council initiated a survey to determine the needs of our people. I was somewhat disappointed with the initial response in terms of numbers but after a little prodding a representative number of parishioners replied.

If the Parish Council, which we would like to rename into a Pastoral Council and a Council of Ministries, is to truly plan well and respond to the real needs of Catholics in Shrewsbury it was necessary to obtain their input. Otherwise we would create programs and projects that would get no response and we would wonder why!

Our beloved parish came into existence over 75 years ago and has grown tremendously since the days of Father Edward Lynch and the small wooden church which was located in the present area of the parking lot.

Life has become complex and historical circumstances have forced us to reflect on what Church really is and the role that every baptized person has to fulfill in this Church.

With the unveiling of pastoral procedures and decisions that in retrospect failed, it became evident to many that the challenges presented by Vatican Council II had not been met. People all over the country spoke about the need for lay involvement in the decision-making of the Church.

Here at St. Mary’s the Parish Council became the forum as well as parish meetings which dialogued on the issues confronting the Church. I was delighted that so many spoke about the need of lay involvement as it only pointed out the themes of Vatican II which now was over 40 years old!

The TOWN MEETING provided the forum to discuss the feelings and thoughts of the parish survey. In coming months the Pastoral Council will develop 3-5 year goals. These goals are in the areas of worship and liturgy, education and faith-formation, parish facilities, community outreach, parishioner involvement and all that goes along with stewardship and living our Christian faith.

It is only with an openness to the Holy Spirit that we will be able to continue on the road of developing our community of faith. It is only with God’s grace that we will touch the needs of all our people and truly become the People of God that Church is meant to be.

I have no doubt that our people will grow with the Spirit and bring to fruition the goals developed in these next months.

With a prayer that each one of us will be strong in our commitments, I am

Devotedly Yours in Christ Jesus,

FATHER PAUL