From ‘Here’ to ‘There’ – Seeing with the Eyes of Faith

In parish life, the word vision can sometimes feel abstract – something reserved for plans, documents, or leadership meetings. But in its truest sense, vision is deeply practical and profoundly spiritual. It is about seeing clearly: seeing where we are, where God is calling us, and why that journey matters.

To understand vision, we must begin with honesty about ‘here’. ‘Here’ is our current reality – who we are as a parish right now. It includes our strengths: the faithfulness of parishioners, the generosity of volunteers, the reverence of our liturgies, the quiet acts of service that often go unnoticed. But ‘here’ also includes our limitations: the areas where we feel stretched, the ministries that need renewal, the people we are not yet reaching, and the habits that may no longer serve the mission entrusted to us.

Naming ‘here’ requires humility and courage. Without it, vision becomes disconnected from reality – something imagined but never lived. When we honestly recognise where we are, we create a solid foundation from which God can lead us forward. This is not about criticism; it is about clarity. It is about seeing with the eyes of faith, trusting that God is already at work in our present moment.

From this place, we begin to speak of ‘there’. ‘There’ is not simply a better version of what we already have. It is the future God is inviting us into – a future shaped by deeper intimacy with Jesus, greater unity as a parish, and a renewed missionary energy. ‘There’ is a parish where every person, from the youngest child to the oldest member, knows they are loved by Jesus and called to share that love with others. It is a parish alive with purpose, where faith is not only celebrated on Sundays but lived boldly throughout the week.

Vision, then, is the bridge between ‘here’ and ‘there’. It is not a map with every detail filled in, but a clear and compelling picture of the destination. It gives direction and meaning to our efforts. Without vision, even good activity can become scattered or routine. With vision, everything begins to align – our ministries, our decisions, our use of time and resources – all oriented toward the same horizon. But an important question remains: why should we leave ‘here’ and go to ‘there’? After all, ‘here’ can feel comfortable. It is familiar. It is known. The call to move can feel unsettling.

This is where a compelling vision becomes essential. A vision worth following awakens desire. It stirs something within us. It helps us to see that ‘there’ is not about abandoning what we love, but about becoming more fully who we are called to be. It reveals that the journey is not driven by dissatisfaction, but by invitation – God’s invitation into greater life, deeper joy, and more fruitful mission.

When vision is cast clearly and consistently – over and over again – it begins to take root in the hearts of the community. It opens up new horizons. People start to imagine what could be, not just what is. They begin to see their own place within the larger story. The journey from ‘here’ to ‘there’ becomes something we undertake together, not as individuals, but as one parish family.

In this way, vision is not a one-time statement; it is a living reality that must be proclaimed, revisited, and embodied. It shapes our culture. It influences our choices. It calls us forward, even when the path requires trust. Yet an essential step in this journey is the movement from my vision as parish priest to our vision as a parish community. This happens through consistent invitation, listening, discernment, and shared ownership. As the vision is prayerfully received, tested, and embraced by the people, it begins to take root in hearts and is expressed in the life of the community. In this way, it becomes something we carry together.

Ultimately, a parish’s vision is grounded in Christ Himself. He is both the source and the destination. As we recognise ‘here’, and respond to the call toward ‘there’, we do so with confidence that He walks with us. And it is in following Him – step by step – that our vision becomes not just something we speak about, but something we live.

With peace and vision – Fr Josh