Beacons of Light Family S-4

As we are about one month into our new Parish Family arrangement, I believe now is a good time to step back and look at where we are, where we’re going, and what we’ve learned so far. The stated goal of Beacons of Light is to unify Families of Parishes into one parish and one pastor, even if multiple campuses are kept open. We are in the early stages now of learning the differences between how our parishes do things like sacramental prep, handling intake for different things when people call the office, and even administrative responsibilities. It’s a lot to process, for sure, but we will get there. As we continue this process, we will also start moving the parish councils toward a unified body that can deliberate and discern together on issues that impact all of us and our shared future. Click on title for full column.

There are few worse feelings in the world than being caught unprepared for something important: showing up underdressed, or forgetting to do an assignment and not realizing it until class starts, or the family you’re house sitting for coming back early and you haven’t cleaned yet, etc. It makes one feel helpless, and I’ve spent much time kicking myself in these and other awkward situations. Yet none of them are on the level of what Jesus warns us about in the Gospel today when He speaks of the Kingdom of God being at hand and what we must do to be prepared. The thought of not being ready for the Lord’s second coming is the ultimate example of being caught off guard. Jesus speaks about the need for the master of the house to be watchful and the consequences for the faithless servant who did not follow his master’s wishes, but we all hear a call to prepare our own hearts.  Click on title for full column.