Pastoral Priorities

Download and Read Archbishop Smith’s Pastoral Letter (PDF)

Worship, Witness, and Service – these are the foundational pillars for our archdiocese, as identified by Archbishop Richard Smith in his 2024 pastoral letter Living in the Word.

Growing as a synodal and pastoral Church, we are translating these pillars into action through our 2024-2027 Pastoral Priorities. “Be It Done: Living in the Word” is the theme.

What are the Pastoral Priorities?

Over the next three years, we will draw inspiration from Mary, our patroness, whose life exemplifies Worship, Witness, and Service. Guided by the Blessed Mother’s life and vocation, our pastoral priorities are:

• Formation for Eucharistic Worship: We are a faith community that joyfully celebrates and better understands the Eucharist.
• Formation for Confident Witness: We are a faith community that is confident in proclaiming the Great Commission to spread the Good News of the Gospel within our respective vocations, professions, and communities.
• Formation for Service to Families and Marriage: We are a faith community that accompanies families, fully recognizing the centrality of marriage and family in God’s plan.

Pastoral Priorities Year 2

Getting Started

This workshop will guide parishes in reflecting on Year One of the Parish Pastoral Plan. Together, we will prayerfully consider:

1. Where have we been? — reviewing parish experiences and highlights from the past year,
2. Where are we now? — identifying current strengths, challenges, and opportunities,
3. Where are we going? — setting a direction that prepares the parish community for year two.

Participants will be encouraged to share insights, listen to the Spirit, and begin discerning how the parish can continue to grow in alignment with the Archdiocesan Pastoral Priorities.

The workshop will also provide a simple process for gathering parish input and fostering constructive dialogue within parish leadership teams.
(Via Zoom)

• Thurs., Oct. 9 | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register
• Friday, Oct.10 | 9 – 10 a.m. Register
• Saturday, Oct. 11 | 9 – 10 a.m. Register

On Our Way

This workshop is designed to support parishes as they begin Year Two of the Parish Pastoral Plan. The focus will be on identifying and discerning the three concrete goals that will guide parish life and ministry for the coming year.

Participants will be invited to:

1. Reflect on the fruits and learnings of Year One,
2. Discern priorities in light of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Priorities and parish realities, and
3. Draft goals that are clear, realistic, and spiritually grounded.

The workshop will also introduce practical tools to help Pastoral Priorities Leadership Teams to move from broad vision to actionable steps for implementation and follow-up.
(Via Zoom)

• Thurs., Nov. 13 | 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register
• Friday, Nov. 14 | 9 – 10 a.m. Register
• Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9 – 10 a.m. Register

Pastoral Priorities Toolkit for Parishes

• A Guide To Launching Your Parish Plans
• How To Use Your Tools
• Pastoral Priorities – Powerpoint Template (PPTX)
• Background and Process (PPTX)
• Prayers of the Faithful (PNG)
• Postcard (.DOCX)
• Postcard (PDF)
• Pastoral Priorities Poster (PDF)
• Horizontal Bookmark (PDF)
• Icons (.ZIP)

Videos

• The Eucharist in Our Lives  – Dr. Troy Davies
• Formation for Eucharistic Worship – Deacon Gem Mella
• The Holy Eucharist as the Source and Summit of Our Faith – Archbishop Richard Smith