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Beacons of Light Pastoral Planning Pathway
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June 5, 2023It has nearly been a year (11 months) since the Archdiocese began to implement the Beacons of Light (BOL). Going through this transition has not been easy for anyone; priests, staffs, and the People of God. None of us wants to admit, let alone accept the reality that we find ourselves in as a Church at this present time. Our world certainly needs the Gospel yet, fear and selfishness continue to keep many away from the Faith.
No plan will ever be viewed as good enough when it involves tough decisions with something as personal as our parishes. People love their faith and have grown accustomed to their churches. And it is a bit unfair to go through such changes with a shepherd whom the sheep see view as new and unfamiliar. Trust is huge, and I understand trust takes time.
In his recent letter to pastors, Archbishop Schnurr noted that Beacons of Light is a 5-year process, some situations like ours will happen sooner than other families who were just joined together 11 months ago. But within 5 years this process will be completed throughout the Archdiocese. In this letter to the pastors, Archbishop Schnurr says, "the stated goal of Beacons of Light is the canonical unification of each Family of Parishes, creating vital, mission-focused communities of faith...no one should think that if they procrastinate long enough that the goalposts will be moved and canonical unification will no longer be required."
The Archbishop is reminding the pastors and in turn the people that the BOL will be the new reality in the coming years. For our part we must work together to seek unity as a family, knowing we will be a single parish at some point. Prayer is essential for our success in whatever we do. So, I ask you to pray for our Archdiocese, our parish family, for one another, and for me. Our mission is to serve Christ, and this involves dying to self and picking up our crosses, and BOL is certainly a cross. But we should always stay focused that the ultimate goal is above. For as good as is it to be a member of the Church on earth and parishioners of parishes, what’s far better and most glorious is to be Saints in the Church in Heaven.
