In a previous article, we discussed what it might mean for us as catechists to step outside our comfort zones. Now, let’s ask a more challenging question: What would happen if our parishes decided to step outside their comfort zones?
Pope Francis doesn’t just want you and me to go out, to venture to the outskirts, to take risks for the sake of the gospel. He wants our parish communities to go forth:
The Church which “goes forth” is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice. An evangelizing community knows that the Lord has taken the initiative, he has loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19), and therefore we can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others…. (Joy of the Gospel, 24)
But I wonder: Is Pope Francis being more aspirational than practical here? I’ve been involved at leadership levels — either on staff or as a volunteer — at about 7 or 8 parishes in my life. Honestly, I would say that as a parish, none of them are fully prepared to “move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others.” Many have ministries within the parish that reach out, but the parish as a whole tends to be inward-facing, ministering primarily to those within its walls.
How do I know that? Or more importantly, how can you tell if your parish is ready to go out more than stay in?
Take the first step
The pope lists some characteristics of a parish that “goes out.” Such communities, he says, have:
- An endless desire to show mercy
- A willingness to try harder to take the first step and become involved
- A readiness to imitate Jesus by kneeling and washing feet
- An ability to bridge distances
- A willingness to abase itself if necessary
- A desire to touch the suffering flesh of Christ in others
- A commitment to standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy
- Familiarity with patient expectation and apostolic endurance
- A readiness to put their whole life on the line, even to accepting martyrdom (see Joy of the Gospel, 24)
But I fear this is not what happens in most of our parishes. Let me give you a small example. In every parish I’ve been in, I’ve encouraged parishioners and staff to find and welcome newcomers on Sunday. Inevitably, almost no one is able to overcome the norms of not talking in church, not “interrupting” someone, or not risking some social embarrassment.
Even inside the walls, we struggle to take the first step, bridge distances, or humble ourselves for the sake of the other. You can imagine how challenging it would be for most of us to do any of those things outside the walls.
For all or most or even a significant minority of parishes — will we ever become truly missionary?
Mission-oriented
Yet, what if we could? What if we could try a little harder to take that first step? If, as a parish, we could just take that small, initial step outward instead of inward, Pope Francis says our parish would be capable of:
- Transforming everything
- Changing our customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures
- Channeling all our resources and energy for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for our self-preservation
- Renewing our structures as demanded by pastoral conversion
- Becoming more mission-oriented
- Making ordinary pastoral activity on every level more inclusive and open
- Inspiring in each other a constant desire to go forth
- Eliciting a positive response from all those whom Jesus summons to friendship with himself (see Joy of the Gospel, 27)
Seriously, though, is this even possible? Maybe your parish is capable of this kind of change. Or perhaps you know of a parish that is. But for all or most or even a significant minority of parishes — will we ever become truly missionary?
Pope Francis says it is definitely possible, but he also recognizes “that the call to review and renew our parishes has not yet sufficed to bring them nearer to people, to make them environments of living communion and participation, and to make them completely mission-oriented” (Joy of the Gospel, 28).
The journey may be challenging, but the potential for transformation is immense.
Daring to dream
We cannot let the scope and seeming impossibility of this task stop us. As the pope warns, “One of the more serious temptations which stifles boldness and zeal is a defeatism which turns us into querulous and disillusioned pessimists, ‘sourpusses.’ Nobody can go off to battle unless he is fully convinced of victory beforehand” (Joy of the Gospel, 85).
This is where you and I have to put on the armor of faith. We either believe in the power of Christ to bring about this kind of momentous change, or we don’t. And if we do believe, the pope reminds us:
An authentic faith—which is never comfortable or completely personal—always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better than we found it. We love this magnificent planet on which God has put us, and we love the human family which dwells here, with all its tragedies and struggles. (Joy of the Gospel, 183)
So, I ask you: Are we ready to take that first step towards becoming a truly missionary parish? The journey may be challenging, but the potential for transformation is immense. Let’s dare to dream and act on that dream, one small step at a time.
If you would like to explore more deeply the dream of going to the outskirts as a parish, join us for our next training webinar: Become an Evangelizing Parish: The First Stage of the Catechumenate Process on Thursday, Sept. 26, 11am PDT.
I’d love to hear from you
In the comments section below, share one concrete step your parish could take to become more missionary. What’s holding it back, and how could that obstacle be overcome? Your insights could inspire others and help us all move closer to realizing Pope Francis’s dream of a truly missionary church.
Missing a link to “Become an Evangelizing Parish: The First Stage of the Catechumenate Process on Thursday, Sept. 26, 11am PDT.” Also no under “Next Webinar” page.
Hi Robert. Sorry about that. Here you go: https://teaminitiation.com/presents/trwebinar/
Nick,
So Pope Francis says we should be willing to transform everything but gives no clue as to how or what should be changed. The Holy Spirit has been feeding me ideas for a long time. Consider these.
1) A staffed Welcome/Hospitality table directs new attendees to visit after mass. Folks are greeted; Asked what did you like or dislike about the service (not that we’d change anything but it’s a caring conversation starter); Given a pocket card with mass times; Invited to return; and most importantly Asked if there’s anything about which we can PRAY WITH THEM.
If they say yes we step to the side and pray an unscripted intercessory freelance prayer about their specific need. Non-parishioners come to church because they need healing, comfort, peace. They need Jesus. This is a simple way to find out their needs a MINISTER to them right then and there. I believe if we do that, they will come back, especially if after the prayer we say: “If you come back next week, don’t be shy and think you can’t stop over for prayer again.”
2) Similarly, we find the space and time to do the same thing in all our ministry work, whether it ministers to parishioners but especially if it ministers to non-Christians/Catholics. If we reach out to the poor and downtrodden but never mention Jesus we’re just social workers!
What’s the worst that can happen … we pray too much? … and Gods says, Stop I’m busy?
I have done this kind of unscripted intercessory pray with another lay minister in her Adult Confirmation classes. It’s powerful. We are trying to offer it to all after at least one mass a week.
Joe Sterbinsky
St Monica’s, Santa Monica, CA … Oh! cia
Hi Joe. Thank you for sharing these thoughtful ideas. I like the ideas of a hospitality table and unscripted intercessory prayer. I appreciate how you’re integrating prayer into your ministry—it’s a powerful way to connect people to the presence of Christ in their everyday needs. Keep up the good work!
Nick – truly do enjoy and love your articles simply because they “poke” or “tug” at the heart of personal evangelization and/or discipleship.
Your comment, – “Honestly, I would say that as a parish, none of them are fully prepared to “move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others.” Many have ministries within the parish that reach out, but the parish as a whole tends to be inward-facing, ministering primarily to those within its walls.
How do I know that? Or more importantly, how can you tell if your parish is ready to go out more than stay in?” I couldn’t agree more.
In many parishes that I’ve been a part of, this is what I immediately take notice and it’s very sad. I have made many attempts to infuse a change of direction only to be stifled with “This is how we have been doing it.” (very heavy sigh.)
Even speaking with some pastors, I get the reply, “Great and good ideas George, but I’m only one priest who is also the CEO, COO, school administrator, facility manager, CFO, etc., along with offering Mass and Sacraments year round.” Or in my last parish who has a missionary priest, “I’m just here to say Mass.”
Without the spiritual leadership and guidance of our pastors, not too many Catholics today will ever learn what it means to b an evangelist, disciple or close to fulfilling what Pope Francis envisions as mentioned in your article. And even if the pastor has ample energetic, enthusiastic, vibrant and active intentional disciples to help him turn things around for the parish, only a small percentage will truly take note and embrace it.
I pray that one day, one day, every Catholic and Parish will be truly missionary in all that it does and not just programmatic and check the box.
Thank you for your thoughtful and heartfelt comment, George. I hear your frustration with the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality. I feel the same way.
It is true that without strong spiritual leadership, it can be challenging for a parish to embrace a truly missionary spirit.
Yet, as you’ve pointed out, there are many “energetic, enthusiastic, vibrant, and active intentional disciples” within our parishes. Perhaps if more of us would claim and act on our gifts as members of the baptized priesthood, we could start to change things in our parishes. I think it would be better and more impactful if the ordained priests led the way. But if that’s not possible for some of them at this time, I don’t think we can wait.
I, too, pray that every parish becomes truly missionary and that more Catholics embrace the call to be evangelists and disciples. Keep of the great work. I am grateful for your dedication.