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Front-Page Reflection Jan 31, 2025

The Presentation of the Lord
Fr Josh Photo
Fr Josh Photo

Understanding Our Catholic Identity

How do you understand your identity as a Catholic? If you knew the answer, how would you articulate it to someone who asked? Given the opportunity, you or I might choose to reply, “I am a beloved child of God.” This may very well be something we believe in faith, but how would you expand on that if someone asked, “What do you mean?” How do I know—with utter conviction—that I am a beloved child of God?

The Importance of Reflection 
Understanding our identity as Catholic Christians is essential. I know that I was baptized on March 29, 1981. I know that I am confirmed because I remember the celebration when I was 12 years old. I know that every time I receive the Eucharist, Jesus enters my body, and I hopefully become a little bit more like Him. While these three sacraments are powerful channels of God’s grace, they still don’t fully help me articulate how I know that Jesus loves me and has chosen me as His son or daughter. Sacraments are visible signs of the invisible Presence, and while they can be powerful channels of the supernatural, they are certainly not the only channels of God’s presence.

The Missing Component: A Deeper Encounter with Jesus
Many Catholics have faithfully practiced their faith for a lifetime, yet may not be familiar with the idea of a deeply personal relationship with Jesus—perhaps because it wasn’t often spoken about in the past. But the heart of our faith is this: Jesus is risen and present among us. The Church teaches that He desires to be close to each of us, not just as a belief we hold, but as a living presence in our daily lives. Sometimes, we come to know this in a special way—through a moment of grace, prayer, or deep peace—where His love becomes something we truly feel and recognize. When that happens, our faith is no longer just something we practice; it becomes a source of joy, renewal, and deeper trust in God’s love for us.

Leadership and the Future of Our Parish 
As we continue to delve into newness of life with our 2025 Mass roster, and as the mission-focused leadership structure of Mass Centres becomes clearer, it will be utterly necessary to have leaders in place who are Faithful, Available, Contagious, and Teachable. These criteria can be remembered through the acronym FACT.

  • Faithful Leaders have, or are open to seeking, a personal relationship with Jesus and strive to live their lives with joy and love for others.
  • Available Leaders have the necessary time to serve their community.
  • Contagious Leaders don’t have COVID-19, but they are infectious in nature—affable and eager to recruit other leaders to approach our mission with intentionality.
  • Teachable Leaders cultivate a prayerful openness to the freshness and movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives and in our communities. They are flexible in their approach to leadership in a Catholic context.

Calling Forth Lay Pastoral Leaders 
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be calling forth lay pastoral leaders in each Mass Centre who fit the above criteria and who will be commissioned to lead. Not everyone is called to lead—indeed, the majority are called to follow—but every person is called to exercise influence by using their unique God-given skills to serve and love others, both outside and inside our Mass Centres.

As we enter this new season, some leadership roles will evolve, with individuals stepping into new opportunities where their gifts can shine. At times, this may mean inviting someone to transition into a different role that aligns more closely with their strengths. This strategy represents a commitment to ensuring that each role is filled by the person best suited for it. A key aspect of leadership in our parish is a shared vision—when a team is united in purpose, the mission flourishes. Our mission remains clear: to make new followers of Jesus (Matthew 28:19), and by working together in harmony, we can pursue it with renewed energy and focus.

Our True Identity: Beloved Children of God 
For those who may experience significant challenges at this time, it will be vital to cultivate a healthy identity as beloved children of God. Our identity does not lie in what we do—such as the ministry we perform when we celebrate Mass. This truth bears repeating because, for some, the opposite feeling may arise when they are asked to step away from ministry. However, our identity as worshipping Catholics who are intimately loved by God is not, in any way, connected with serving in ministry.

Moving Forward with Openness to the Holy Spirit 
As we look ahead, may we remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds, seeking to notice and accept the ways God communicates love, peace, patience, and joy in our lives.

Peace and Blessings, Fr Josh.

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