Download and Read Archbishop Smith’s Pastoral Letter (PDF)
Worship, Witness, and Service – these are the foundational pillars for our diocese, as identified by Archbishop Richard Smith in his 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.
The Pastoral Priorities will inform and permeate all initiatives and events in the Archdiocese and our Catholic community over the next three years from 2024 to 2027. The Pastoral Priorities were officially launched at the parish level on September 14-15, 2024.
Our Lady of Perpetual Helpparish in Sherwood Park hosted an Archdiocesan Eucharistic Mission October 7-9.
Dr. Troy Davies, CEO of Catholic Social Services spoke about The Eucharist in Our Lives
Deacon Gem Mella, the diaconate formation lead for the Archdiocese, spoke about Formation for Eucharistic Worship.
Archbishop Smith spoke about the Holy Eucharist as the Source and Summit of Our Faith
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)