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Pastoral Notes

Explore insightful pastoral notes to inspire church leaders and nonprofits. Discover spiritual guidance, fundraising ideas, and community-building tips.

Palm Sunday

April 9, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Religious Giving • Views: 5

Palm Sunday to Easter: Church Engagement with GC

Pastoral Notes for Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, April 13, 2025, Year C N.B. The liturgy of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion...

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5th Sunday Lent

April 4, 2025 • Best Practices • Pastoral Notes • Views: 11

5th Sunday of Lent 2025: Forgiveness, Hope & Renewal

Pastoral Notes for the 5th Sunday of Lent, April 6, 2025, Year C N.B. Many parishes may be using the Year A readings for the OCIA, focusing...

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3rd Sunday of Lent

March 19, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 15

Pastoral Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, March 23, 2025, Year C

Pastoral Reflection for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, March 23, 2025, Year C Many parishes engaged in the OCIA (formerly the RCIA) may use the...

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GC Pastoral

March 12, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 4

GC Pastoral Notes with Important Call to Action, 2nd Sunday of Lent

“Our citizenship is in heaven.” Pastoral Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, March 16, 2025, Year C Sunday’s readings are about...

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1st Sunday of Lent

March 6, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 74

Pastoral Notes for the 1st Sunday of Lent, March 5, 2025

Pastoral Notes for the 1st Sunday of Lent, March 5, 2025, Year C Participating in the liturgy and the liturgical seasons helps to form us...

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1st Sunday of Lent

March 5, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 18

Strengthening Faith Through Lent: Prayer, Fasting & Alms-Giving

Pastoral Notes for the 1st Sunday of Lent, March 2, 2025, Year C Participating in the liturgy and the liturgical seasons helps to form us...

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Shine Like Lights in the World

February 26, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 2

Pastoral Notes 8th Sunday and Ash Wednesday, Year C

Pastoral Reflection for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, And March 5th, Ash Wednesday Shine like lights in the world.” This...

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Sunday pastrol reflection

February 20, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 5

Pastoral Reflection for the 7th Sunday

Pastoral Reflection for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C God’s mercy is at the heart of the gospel message. Too often, we are...

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Lent giving

February 12, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 24

Pastoral Reflection for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C

Pastoral Reflection for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C This Holy Year is the Holy Year of Hope! The first reading from the Prophet...

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When we are baptized, we are baptized into the threefold ministry of Jesus himself (the munera Christi), as priest, prophet, and king. Today we hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah who, speaking on God’s behalf, defines what the mission of the prophet is! The prophet proclaims liberty to captives, healing to the brokenhearted, glad tidings to the poor, and a time of favor from the Lord! Insofar as the Church continues the munera Christi -- the very ministry of Jesus in the world today by virtue of baptism, it is our duty to continue to proclaim this good news. A recent Gallup study indicated that 70% of Americans say they are spiritual, but only about 15 to 20% attend a church, temple, or synagogue. This indicates the hunger within people for a sense of connection with God and their brothers and sisters. Let our churches be places of welcome where we continue the prophetic work of Christ as Isaiah has described it. Call to action: Many people come to church in Advent, and especially at Christmas who we otherwise don’t see. Don’t let them slip through your fingers without trying to reach out to them! Have your GiveCentral GC Smart Tools ready! Pew cards, QR codes, texting number, bulletin inserts, posters, and greeters – have them ready for these important days. If you need more information or guidance on how to use these tools contact Teresa at teresa@givecentral.org, or Edgar at ebarroso@givecentral.com. Pastoral Action Points Stay ready (like the wise virgins in the parable) throughout this holiday season with your pew cards, texting numbers, emails, and direct mails. This busy season presents wonderful opportunities for welcoming and inviting people into your parish. Use your GC Smart Tools to stay on top of things! Have some of your parishioners ready as greeters or “information booth” volunteers. Visitors need to feel welcome, and sometimes they just need to know where the restrooms and drinking fountains are! (Be sure to keep them clean and presentable throughout all the liturgies and concerts of this busy time.) Many of your confirmation students are off from school during these weeks. They may need service hours as a part of their formation for confirmation. Don’t be afraid to ask them to help as greeters and welcomers during Christmas and New Years. Sunday, December 31st is the Feast of the Holy Family. Start asking your families now to attend mass together that Sunday. Offer some family friendly activities. (Studies show that families who attend mass together, pray at meals together, and spiritually support each other are more likely to remain active in the faith than those that don’t!) Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org

February 8, 2025 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 12

Answering the Call: Continuing the Prophetic Mission of Christ in Today’s World

When we are baptized, we are baptized into the threefold ministry of Jesus—priest, prophet, and king. Today, the Prophet Isaiah speaks on...

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