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Pastoral Reflection In this liturgical year our gospel passages come from St. Mark and St. John. In today’s gospel proclamation from St. Mark, we encounter Jesus initiating his public ministry after the arrest of his cousin, John the Baptist. He proclaims good news: “the Kingdom of God is at hand!” He wants a change of heart: “repent and believe the good news!” To repent is not about feeling bad or feeling sad, rather, it is about the redirecting or re-orienting of the heart, mind, and soul toward God and the ways of God. Next, we encounter Jesus calling his first disciples, Simon (later to be renamed Peter), and his brother, John (the youngest of the apostles and the author of the Gospel of John). Please notice that they literally drop everything and follow the Lord! When the Lord calls us, he does not want us lingering in old places and old ways. Rather, the Lord wants us to follow where he leads. The immediacy of discipleship is most pronounced in St. Mark’s Gospel. There will be no waiting around in St. Mark’s telling of the Christ story, and those called to discipleship had best respond quickly! Call to action: When our parishioners, old or new, show an interest in engagement with the parish community we should act on it as quickly as prudence allows! One fast way to lose volunteers is to wait many days or weeks before getting back to them when they offer their services. Whether it’s the offer to volunteer, or to make a donation, getting back to the parishioner within 24 to 48 hours is critical! Use your GC Smart Tools to make lists of your volunteers and ministry groups. Use your Smart Texting to get back to them, even if just to acknowledge their interest! Finally, thanking your people for their service or offers of service helps in making your people feel wanted, known, and engaged in the community. Pastoral Action Points Lent is coming quickly this year! Have you planned your Lenten activities? If your parish is participating in the Rites of Christian Initiation, take the opportunity to help the candidates and catechumens to be known by the greater parish community. Trying to create a welcoming ministry can be hard (Catholics are so shy!). If it’s not possible to have a full welcoming ministry, try having a welcome desk or kiosk in your foyer or gathering space. Invite some of the teens who need service hours to be at the desk to welcome visitors and answer questions. Likewise, some of our more senior members may be willing to do it if they can sit instead of stand! Think creatively about welcoming visitors, guests, and seekers to your parish! GiveCentral has some big announcements coming soon that will make using our platform faster, easier, and more fun! Be ready for some good news! Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 9

Answering the Call: The Urgency of Discipleship in St. Mark’s Gospel

Call to action: When our parishioners, old or new, show an interest in engagement with the parish community we should act on it as quickly...

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Guided by the Light: Preparing Our Hearts for the Journey of Faith

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 9

Guided by the Light: Preparing Our Hearts for the Journey of FaithPastoral Reflection

These few short weeks after the Epiphany and before Lent are a time of recognizing Christ as the light of the world. The light not only...

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John the Baptist is in the desert, near to Jerusalem, proclaiming a baptism of forgiveness and announcing the coming of the Lord with great anticipation. Yet, he feels unworthy of the Lord, his own cousin, Jesus. Even so, Jesus will come to him! How many of us feel unworthy? How many stay away from Christ because they feel unworthy or unwelcome? The good news is that the Lord wants to come to them, just as he came to his cousin, John. Jesus is the very embodiment of the proclamation we heard from the Prophet Isaiah in today’s 1st reading. He is the one who will bring God’s comfort to His people! In Christ, their oppression is at an end. If Advent is about the coming of the Lord, let us take this time to invite Him to come into our hearts and souls now! Call to action: St. Bernard referred to the coming of Christ (Advent) in three ways. The first was the coming of Jesus at Christmas as a matter of history (past). The second is the Advent of the Lord in the form of the Holy Spirit, who is here with us now guiding the Church (present). And the third is the Advent regarding the coming of Christ at the end of all time to unveil the new creation (future). In modern times we have tended to focus only on the first of St. Bernard’s meanings of Advent. This has, no doubt, been exacerbated by the commercialization of Christmas and the entire holiday season. However, if we are responsible pastors, we need to help our people have the fuller understanding of what Advent means for us as Christians. When we decorate our homes and churches, we are not merely mimicking our neighbors but making a statement about the future! All things shall be made new in Christ, and in Christ we shall dwell in the light! Let’s educate our people about why we decorate and what it means from a Christian point of view! You can use your GC Smart Tools to send short messages to your people that will educate them and remind them of who they are, children of the light! Pastoral Action Points The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will bring lots of parishioners and visitors to your parish, making this celebration the perfect opportunity to welcome all, grow engagement and donations in support of your mission and ministries. Join Edgar Barroso for a very special webinar to learn more about ways to boost your parish engagement and giving for the Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day. Friday December 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. CLICK HERE to Register! Pastors, have you asked your parishioners to consider their Christmas or end of the year gift to the parish? Join us for an upcoming webinar where you will learn all of the marketing materials and tools GiveCentral has available to assist you with engagement and giving for Christmas and year-end giving. DEC 11 Webinar Registration DEC 15 Webinar Registration DEC 18 Webinar Registration Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube Instagram

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 9

Advent Reflections: Inviting Christ into Our Lives Today and Beyond

Preparing for the Coming of Christ: Advent’s Full Meaning and Parish Engagement As Advent approaches, we must remember its full...

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John the Baptist is in the desert, near to Jerusalem, proclaiming a baptism of forgiveness and announcing the coming of the Lord with great anticipation. Yet, he feels unworthy of the Lord, his own cousin, Jesus. Even so, Jesus will come to him! How many of us feel unworthy? How many stay away from Christ because they feel unworthy or unwelcome? The good news is that the Lord wants to come to them, just as he came to his cousin, John. Jesus is the very embodiment of the proclamation we heard from the Prophet Isaiah in today’s 1st reading. He is the one who will bring God’s comfort to His people! In Christ, their oppression is at an end. If Advent is about the coming of the Lord, let us take this time to invite Him to come into our hearts and souls now! Call to action: St. Bernard referred to the coming of Christ (Advent) in three ways. The first was the coming of Jesus at Christmas as a matter of history (past). The second is the Advent of the Lord in the form of the Holy Spirit, who is here with us now guiding the Church (present). And the third is the Advent regarding the coming of Christ at the end of all time to unveil the new creation (future). In modern times we have tended to focus only on the first of St. Bernard’s meanings of Advent. This has, no doubt, been exacerbated by the commercialization of Christmas and the entire holiday season. However, if we are responsible pastors, we need to help our people have the fuller understanding of what Advent means for us as Christians. When we decorate our homes and churches, we are not merely mimicking our neighbors but making a statement about the future! All things shall be made new in Christ, and in Christ we shall dwell in the light! Let’s educate our people about why we decorate and what it means from a Christian point of view! You can use your GC Smart Tools to send short messages to your people that will educate them and remind them of who they are, children of the light! Pastoral Action Points ● The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe will bring lots of parishioners and visitors to your parish, making this celebration the perfect opportunity to welcome all, grow engagement and donations in support of your mission and ministries. Join Edgar Barroso for a very special webinar to learn more about ways to boost your parish engagement and giving for the Our Lady of Guadalupe feast day. Friday December 8, 2023 at 10 a.m. CLICK HERE to Register! ● Pastors, have you asked your parishioners to consider their Christmas or end of the year gift to the parish? Join us for an upcoming webinar where you will learn all of the marketing materials and tools GiveCentral has available to assist you with engagement and giving for Christmas and year-end giving. ● DEC 11 Webinar Registration ● DEC 15 Webinar Registration ● DEC 18 Webinar Registration Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org No longer want to receive these emails? You can unsubscribe here.

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 9

Rediscovering the True Meaning of Advent: Welcoming Christ in Every Moment

John the Baptist is in the desert, near to Jerusalem, proclaiming a baptism of forgiveness and announcing the coming of the Lord with great...

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A Call to Hope and Connection

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 9

A Call to Hope and Connection

This Sunday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year (Happy New Year) and the start of Year “B” in the Sunday Lectionary cycle....

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GIVE CENTRAL Vs DONORBOX WHY IS GIVE CENTRAL THE BEST CHOICE?

August 6, 2024 • Alumini Giving • Views: 79

GIVECENTRAL VS DONORBOX

WHY IS GIVECENTRAL THE BEST CHOICE?     Donation and fundraising are the most important pillars of any nonprofit organization. In...

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Giving Tuesday

July 26, 2024 • Smart News • Views: 30

Update Login Credentials / Giving Tuesday is Coming!

FEATURED IN THIS WEEK’S EMAIL: Giving Tuesday GiveCentral Platform Update Patrick’s Corner Updating your GiveCentral Login...

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Fathers Day Fundraising: 9 Ideas That Will Encourage Donations 2024

July 21, 2024 • Easy Fundraising • Nonprofit Fundraising • Views: 42

Fathers Day Fundraising: 9 Ideas That Will Encourage Donations 2024

A fantastic day to organize a fun fundraising effort to celebrate the dads in our community is Father’s Day. Offering your supporters a...

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July 21, 2024 • Donor Management • Views: 70

The Best Online Donation Platform | GC Smart Tool

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any nonprofit; they typically have a deep love for the work they perform. Their generosity in devoting...

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10 unique fundraising ideas:

July 21, 2024 • Easy Fundraising • Ideas • Unique fundraising ideas • Views: 101

10 unique fundraising ideas in 2024

Silent dinners and simple auctions are old-school methods. Today’s donors want to feel the excitement alongside their philanthropic...

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