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As we reflect on the year 2023, it's evident that it was a year of significant change and renewal within the Archdiocese. Throughout the year, the community of St. Bridget and neighboring parishes were actively engaged in a profound process of transformation. This blog post will take you through the significant milestones of 2023, highlighting the Archdiocese's "Partners in the Gospel" initiative and the journey towards forming a new parish family.
January 2023: Archdiocese Announces Partners in the Gospel
The year began with an inspiring announcement from the Archdiocese – the launch of the "Partners in the Gospel" initiative. This initiative sought to unite communities in a shared mission, emphasizing collaboration and mutual support. The official press release from the Archdiocese shed light on the goals and expectations for this initiative. The announcement marked the beginning of a year filled with anticipation and hope.
Archdiocese press release LINK.
June 2023: St. Bridget's Synodal Listening Sessions
In June, St. Bridget's parish took a crucial step in its journey towards renewal. The parish conducted initial synodal listening sessions, an opportunity for the community to voice their hopes, concerns, and advice. These sessions allowed the parish to understand the aspirations and anxieties of its members and fostered open communication. The collective wisdom shared during these sessions would lay the foundation for the parish's direction over the next four years.
July 2023: Parish Leadership Retreat
July witnessed a retreat for the parish leadership, which included an invaluable opportunity to share additional hopes, concerns, and advice with the Partners in the Gospel team. This gathering served as a space for the leadership to reflect on the insights gathered during the synodal listening sessions and contribute their own perspectives. The retreat exemplified the spirit of cooperation and unity in working towards a common goal.
September 2023: Archdiocese Announces Proposed Parish Family
The highlight of September was the Archdiocese's announcement of a proposed parish family, bringing together St. Bridget, Assumption, and Our Lady of the Lake parishes. This exciting development signaled a transformative change in the structure of the local faith community. The Archdiocese invited feedback on this proposal, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the decision-making process.
Archdiocese's proposal announcement LINK.
October 2023: Parish Synodal Listening Sessions
In October, each of the parishes within the proposed family began conducting their own synodal listening sessions. These sessions aimed to provide feedback to the Archdiocese, ensuring that the community's voices were heard and considered in planning for the upcoming changes. It also marked a crucial phase in the community's engagement with the transformative journey.
The year 2023 was a year of change, growth, and community engagement within the Archdiocese. The "Partners in the Gospel" initiative, synodal listening sessions, and the formation of a proposed parish family exemplified the commitment of the Archdiocese and its member parishes to strengthen their faith community and foster collaboration among the faithful.
As we look back on 2023 and the years to come, one thing is clear: the past held the promise of a stronger, more united, and spiritually enriched community, driven by the shared values of faith, love, and hope. The journey continued, and we were all part of this exciting transformation.
