ROAD TO RENEWAL BEGINS

Last Sunday, at Our Lady of Fatima shrine, parish representatives met to begin the Road To Renewal in our diocese. A special Mass served to request of Our Lady Undoer of Knots to help renew our local church.

The Diocese is embarking on a journey to optimize more fully parish and diocesan resources, and, importantly, increase the reach and impact of our varied ministries throughout Western New York. Much like the disciples rediscovered the Lord and had their hope renewed while breaking bread together after walking with him on the road to Emmaus, we are traveling together, supporting one another, facing our challenges and opportunities together, and seek a renewed spirit of purpose and solidarity, united by our common faith in Jesus who makes all things new.

Faithful to the guidance provided by the “Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelization Mission of the Church,” issued in the summer of 220 by the Congregation of Clergy, we seek to reawaken in all of us as a Family of Faith, the zeal to proclaim boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ in keeping with our baptismal commitment and to serve those most vulnerable with renewed vigor and uncompromised devotion.

Throughout this journey, our guiding principles will be to listen and to learn; to be open and transparent about the challenges we face and collaborate in devising solutions that must ultimately lead us to greater dependence on and support for one another.