Our Parish Pastoral Goal for the Year and Pastoral Care to Keep in Mind

Another important thing I would pray for and encourage us to keep in mind is our pastoral approach and focus for this year. We are keeping the pace of continuing with our goal of doing more to bring people back to God by any good means. This approach will also extend towards Faith Formation for both youth and adult --- and leadership based on demonstration of faith and good example for new evangelization.  

In last year’s closing meeting for all catechists, both for Star of the Sea and St. Charles, our discussion drew more attention to the spiritual future of our children. We need to be thinking about our children and our youth with regard to knowing and participating actively at Mass before their reception of the Sacraments. The reason is that there is a tendency for attending classes, receiving the Sacrament at the end of study, but not coming to Mass afterwards. It is much like someone graduating from school. We want to begin building to make the spiritual foundation solid. Below is what we are considering to try beginning August 7, 2019, and I would please beg us to sacrifice and just watch how that would go:

 

In Brookings:

From Wednesday, August 7, 2019: Mass at 5:15 p.m. followed by snacks and formation class

Thursdays and Fridays and First Saturdays of the month: Rosary at 8:30 a.m. and Mass at 9 a.m., (instead of an 8 a.m. Mass)

For any reason when there is no daily Mass: Rosary at 8:30 a.m. and Divine Office at 9 a.m.

For Gold Beach:

From Thursday, August 8, 2019 (and other Thursdays): Mass at 4:15 p.m. followed by snacks and faith formation.

Please, let’s just give a trial to the above. Heaven will rejoice when more come back to God. Like I said, help me and let’s see how that goes. My goal is to do my best to lead all of us to the joy of knowing the Sacred Heart of Jesus the Savior well. Also, we are planning something for an all-parish breakfast. We will discuss that with you after we have deeper discussion in the parish council.

There is also a “PASTORAL ASSEMBLY,” a big event in November (called by the Archbishop). I will share that with you soon, and we will have two representatives from our pastoral council (possibly one from Brookings and one from Gold Beach) to attend with me to represent our parish. The pastoral council will be talking to us more and helping us understand what we are doing.

I love you all, and may Christ always be with you!

Father Justus Alaeto