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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.

The Church has a prophetic mission to tell the truth to the world. This mission is not an easy one because it means pointing out the faults and errors of both individuals and social systems. In the ancient world of Israel, prophets were often scorned by the community because they said things people didn’t want to hear. Today when the Church points out violations of human rights, or violations of individual conscience, she can receive scornful rejection. Yet, the point of the prophetic role is not to condemn others, but to call for a change of heart – a conversion or renewal of the heart and soul! Ultimately it is a call to love! Thus, as St. Paul tells us in today’s Second Reading, “the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” St. Peter also tells us that “love covers a multitude of sins.” The Church’s goal in her prophetic mission is not to condemn, but to move individuals and the world to the love of God and neighbor. Call to action: Many people have stayed away from Church because they fear condemnation or rejection. They may be in an irregular marriage, or have been through a painful divorce, or are dealing with some other personal issue. Take this Sunday as an opportunity to invite people to meet with you pastorally. Very often there are both formal and informal pastoral solutions they don’t know about. There is a place for everyone in the Church whose heart is open to the love of God – even if conversion comes about slowly. Think about offering a parish workshop on annulments and marriage reconciliation. Use your GC Smart Tools to announce it by text, email, or direct mail. This weekend is also Grandparents’ Day weekend for those who deferred it from the feast of Sts. Ann and Joachim. Recognize and bless the grandparents who are present. Use your GC Smart Tools to send a quick email or text to remind your parishioners of this celebration. GC has templates for Grandparents’ Day you can find them under the communications portal. Pastoral Action Points Be sure to refresh your pew cards and have your QR codes available for your parishioners and visitors. Parishioners can update their information very quickly (in seconds, literally) using our GC Smart Tools. If you need assistance getting your pew cards ready please email teresa@givecentral.org Fall is the best time to invite parishioners to greater engagement with the parish community. Invite your seniors to be “telephone evangelists” by asking them to make a quick call to other parishioners. You can use your GC Smart Tools to make smaller phone lists that can be delegated to your senior volunteers. Provide a short phone script for them saying they are calling on behalf of the parish to thank them for being part of the community, and to see if they have a need with which the parish can help. Later, have a thank you party for your volunteers. Many of us in pastoral ministry are not “techies.” We don’t use many of the tools available to us because we don’t know how to use them. Join GiveCentral’s Bridget Daly for a great webinar on this topic on September 14 at 1PM Central Time. Claim your seat here! Stay up-to-date with news & information - follow us on social! Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org

August 11, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 25

Speaking Truth in Love: The Church’s Role in Guiding Hearts

The Church has a prophetic mission, to tell the truth to the world. This mission is not an easy one because it means pointing out the...

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Both our first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, and the Responsorial Psalm text from Psalm 63 speak in visceral terms, terms felt at the gut level of the body. The Word of God burns within Jeremiah, and he can contain it no more. The Psalmist is longing and pining for God, like a dry weary land without water. The human conditions of both Jeremiah and the Psalmist speak to the modern person, as well. In our time there is a great spiritual longing and a search for God and life’s meaning. Searching people are often referred to as seekers, because they are looking. Jesus will make clear that the fulfillment the human person seeks will be found in the embrace of the cross. This is not an embrace of suffering for suffering’s sake, however. Rather, it is the embrace of the cause of divine love in a world so much in need of healing, forgiveness, and peace. Call to action: This is also Labor Day weekend, the traditional end of the summer season. Take some time to recognize the value of the labor your people do, whether it is the work of children doing their chores around the house or apartment, the labor of students dedicated to their studies, and the labor of adults who work manually or in an office. All are contributing to the good of their own families, as well as the good of the world. St. Thomas says the human person is a co-creator along with God in making our world! Laet us be, as the Second Vatican Council called us to be “artisans of a new humanity” in Christ. You can use your GC Smart Tools to send an email or text to your families recognizing their labors and honoring them. Pastoral Action Points With families returning to school this is a great time to reach out using your GC SmartTools and inviting your families to greater participation in your parish. There are families you haven’t seen since Covid – invite them back now! Do you have a fall festival or parish event coming up? At GiveCentral, we remove the donor friction by allowing you to create an event with these features: • Raffles, auction, paddle raise, and ticket sales • Able to recognize your donors and user-friendly for them • Bidding within seconds • Guest preregistration • Easy check out • Capable of adding dynamic photos and content • Advanced reporting post event To learn more or to get ready for your BIG event email teresa@givecentral.org. Keep up the work of your evangelization through developing the spirit of welcome in your parish! Have a welcoming committee or ask your Pastoral Council members to serve as special ministers of welcome. Use your GC Smart Text or QR codes to help visitors and new parishioners get connected. 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: 16

The Spiritual Hunger of Our Time: Finding Fulfillment in Christ’s Embrace

Both our first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, and the Responsorial Psalm text from Psalm 63 speak in visceral terms, terms felt at the...

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Who Do You Say I Am? Understanding Jesus in Today’s World

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 10

Understanding Jesus in Today’s World

Jesus asks this question of his apostles in today’s reading from St. Matthew’s Gospel. If the question was relevant in Jesus’ own...

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Breaking Barriers: God’s Invitation to All Peoples

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 14

Breaking Barriers: God’s Invitation to All Peoples

God’s intent, throughout the sacred story of the scriptures, was that the One True God should be known to all the nations of the earth!...

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In our search for faith, we often enough look for God in grand and large things. We look for signs “of biblical proportions,” like earthquakes or great winds. However, we can learn from the Prophet Elijah that God is more often found in the still, small things. The quiet voice in the heart. The soul that has stilled its anxieties and listens in peace. It was in the quiet that Elijah “hid his face,” because he knew he was in the presence of the Almighty. Life has its storms and other upsetting experiences. Jesus never said we would not have these problems. But as with Peter, Jesus bids us to trust Him to bring us peace and to still the storms. Church should be a place where, in the presence of the Holy Eucharist, we may find peace. Yes, it's also a place of community and encounter! However, in our Catholic faith we also have a long tradition of respecting people’s sense of quiet within the sanctuary. It is from the quiet of the heart that our fears and anxieties can be released to the Lord, and from Him that we may find our peace. Call to action: As we welcome new parishioners, visitors, and even skeptics to come into our parish and to join our community, let us also invite them into a deeper spiritual life. We don’t need to be slavish in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, but we can convey the traditions of quiet respect, both for the Holy Eucharist itself, and for those who engage in quiet prayer in Our Lord’s presence. As we spend these next months educating our people about the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, let us also teach our people to commune with Christ, heart to heart, in peaceful contemplation. Pastoral Action Points The celebration of the Assumption of Our Lady is celebrated this Tuesday. You can use your GC Smart Tools to inform your parishioners about mass times and any special events you may be having. GiveCentral also offers free templates you can adapt and use in your emails, texts, and direct mail. You can find them under global templates. School is starting! Use your GC Smart Tools to connect with your school aged families. This is a great time to reach out and help them to reconnect with the parish! GC Smart Tools make it a snap to reach hundreds of people in seconds! Last call to get into GiveCentral’s 20 for 20 Campaign! We are using the last 20 weeks of the year to help you increase your parish members’ levels of participation and giving by at least 20%. Find more information about 20 for 20 here: https://www.givecentral.org/20-for-20-campaign Connect with GiveCentral Toll-free: 833.716.2612 | Email us at: support@givecentral.org

August 9, 2024 • Pastoral Notes • Views: 14

Finding God in Quiet Faith and Evangelization

In our search for faith, we often enough look for God in grand and large things. We look for signs “of biblical proportions,” like...

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Pastoral Reflection There is an irony in the juxtaposition of the first reading and the gospel. Abraham, who thinks he must “give up” his son (after years of having no heir) is able to keep him, whereas God the Father’s Son will be the one sacrificed for human sin. All these events happen on mountain tops, which are spiritual images for peak experiences. However, what stands out in today’s gospel passage from St. Mark are the words of the Father, “this is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” Listening, by which is meant deep listening, is no easy thing. Our minds are ablaze with our thoughts, our “to do” lists, and, let’s be honest, our own prejudices. We tend to filter everything we hear through the thick haze of our own preoccupations. Yet, if we will settle down, calm down, and turn the inner noise down, we might then be able to “listen to Him.” When we listen to God, we are in the act of being obedient. The word obedient comes from the Latin roots meaning “to listen to.” Someone who is disobedient, therefore, is someone who isn’t listening. They are filtering – as we all tend to do. The disciplines of Lent are meant as a gift to help us de-clutter, to cut the “noise,” and to listen to the Lord deeply. Call to action: At Give Central we keep pressing the point about becoming welcoming parishes. Why? Because if we listen to the numbers only 15 to 18% of Catholics are attending mass or being active in some way in their parishes. We must be obedient to the Lord when he told His disciples to out to all the nations and spread the Good News! Our churches must become sanctuaries of welcome where the brokenhearted can find rest and renewal in Christ. As Easter approaches and many “sometime” Catholics will attend our masses please take advantage of your GC Smart Tools, like GC Smart Text and QR Code to “capture” the contact information from your visitors, then follow up by contacting them and making them feel welcome. Once again, form a welcoming ministry, or ask your youth groups and/or senior citizens group to become welcomers. You can also set up a small kiosk in your entry area with information for visitors and guests. Pastoral Action Points Keep your pews equipped with your parish’s pew cards all through Lent to make engaging and giving easy for your donors! GC Guru is launching soon! This your GC AI assistant! You have questions? GC Guru has the answers! You will soon see the GC Guru upon logging into your admin account. If you have not signed up for SmartGive Elite for Lent & Easter - - now is your chance to signup! Time is running out, click here to sign up! 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: 14

The Power of Silence: How Lent Helps Us Hear God’s Voice

Pastoral Reflection There is an irony in the juxtaposition of the first reading and the gospel. Abraham, who thinks he must “give up”...

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Pastoral Reflection The Epiphany of the Lord, and tomorrow’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord bring to a conclusion our Christmas seasonal celebrations. The gifts brought by the Magi signify a transition in the story of Jesus’ birth by pointing to his future as King, his divine nature, and his death for our freedom. And we know that this story marks a transition for Joseph and Mary who will have to go haste, once again, to exile in Egypt to save the life of this child. Our lives are filled with transitions, aren’t they? Some are joyful, like the birth of a child, and some are full of anxiety, like the flight into Egypt and wondering what the future may hold. Whether our transitions are joyful or anxious, we can turn to the one whose name is Emmanuel -- “God is with us.” Jesus has come to accompany us in all our joys and sorrows, hopes and griefs. Jesus accompanies us especially in his Word, the gospels; his living body, the Church; and most especially in the Holy Eucharist, where, in his body and blood, he continues to enter our humanity so that we might share in his divinity. Emmanuel -- “God is with us.” Call to action: In the United States we are in a special year devoted to a deepening of our understanding of the Holy Eucharist. It is a special time of catechesis and an invitation to encounter Our Lord in the mystery of his Sacramental Presence – body and blood, soul and divinity. Use this year as a time of invitation. Let the beauty of the mystery of the Lord’s Eucharistic presence speak to the hearts of his people – especially those who have been away. The Church has understood that there are three important “portals” that open the door of the soul to an encounter with God. They are sometimes referred to as the transcendentals: goodness, truth, and beauty! Through telling the stories of the Eucharistic saints we may demonstrate the power of goodness. Through clear but gentle catechesis we may demonstrate the truth of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. But most especially through beauty will the hearts of believers and non-believers alike be opened to the love of Christ made known in the Holy Eucharist. Pope Benedict XVI, of blessed memory, said that it was beauty, in the end, that would save the Church. Then let your Eucharistic celebrations be beautiful, and Christ will speak for himself! Pastoral Action Points Use your GC Smart Tools as a means for educating your people about the Holy Eucharist through texts, emails, and direct mails. There are many who, for various reasons, may not be able to receive the Eucharist at this time. Yet, they can still attend mass and adore the Lord in the Holy Eucharist. Take advantage of the opportunities for Holy Hours and Benedictions, and even Eucharistic processions as ways to include the many. GiveCentral has some exciting new tools coming your way later this month! Stay tuned for more information. As always, GiveCentral stands ready to assist you in using the full array of GC Smart Tools to make your ministry more effective and easier. If you need some help or just want to know more, contact us at support@givecentral.org. 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: 12

Finding God in Every Transition: Lessons from the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord

Pastoral Reflection As we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord today and the Baptism of the Lord tomorrow, we bring our Christmas season to a...

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Pastoral Reflection The first reading from the Book of Leviticus and the gospel passage from St. Mark’s Gospel stand in sharp contrast to one another. In the first reading, if someone thinks they might have leprosy they are to go to the priest who will confirm the diagnosis. If the priest agrees, the leper is to make himself look disheveled and exclude himself from the rest of the community until he is healed or dies. There were practical reasons for this, of course. The self-exile was intended to protect the rest of the community from infection. But soon enough these self-exiled people were looked down upon, forgotten, and thought to have brought disease upon themselves. No one was to touch them or approach them. By contrast, in the gospel, a leper approaches Jesus (something he should not have done) and asks if it is Jesus’ will that he be healed. Jesus does will this man’s healing and he is healed! No longer is he “on the outside,” but now he is back, restored, renewed! How often do we exclude ourselves from others because of our past or current mistakes, addictions, or problems? Do we “self-exile?” Or, in other cases, do we feel judged and excluded by the community? It is Jesus’ will that we be healed, restored, and renewed! As Ash Wednesday approaches this week, let us take the opportunity to return to the Lord who loves us beyond all measure with all our hearts! Call to action: With the beginning of Lent on Wednesday this is an important time to reach out to your people, especially those we may not have seen in a while. Two full years after the Covid emergency Churches still haven’t returned to previous levels of active participation. Our job, like that of Jesus, is to reach-out to those “self-exiled” and to offer God’s grace of healing love and the renewal of life and spirit. Use your GC Smart Tools to reach out to everyone on your email and direct mail lists! We have email and letter templates you can adapt to your own parish for free. Please use them to renew souls and restore hearts! Call your people home for Lent. Pastoral Action Points GiveCentral has hard evidence that using our GC Smart Tools increases participation and giving. Check out our End of the Year report for more information. Read our Year in Review Report! Save your seat for our upcoming webinar on Monday, February 12, 2024 at 12:00:00?PM Join us to learn the many ways GiveCentral can support you in welcoming and engaging parishioners and visitors throughout the Lenten and on Easter Sunday. Learn the best welcoming and engaging practices. Save your seat now! Use your GC Smart Tools to email, text, or direct mail to your people Lenten messages of renewal and hope. Do this weekly and you will see growth in your participation. Sending a mass email or text literally takes only seconds with GC Smart Tools! 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: 16

Healing and Renewal: Embrace the Season of Lent

Pastoral Reflection A Message of Hope: Healing, Restoration, and Renewal In today’s first reading from the Book of Leviticus, we see a...

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Pastoral Reflection In the 1st reading for today we see that poor Job, who has suffered so many problems and deprivations, is tempted to despair. How often have the people in our pews been tempted to despair when life takes hard turns, or when the choices we make turn out to be the wrong ones? Yet, God is the God who “heals the brokenhearted,” as the Psalmist reminds us. In the gospel we see that Jesus, once again, confronts the evil and the effects of evil that afflict God’s people. He is there to heal. He is there to save. He is there to restore the goodness His Father intended for the human person. He is the light of the world who drives out the darkness, who converts the shadows into places of light. He lifts us from what oppresses us just as surely as he lifted Peter’s mother-in-law when he took her hand. Call to action: Very often in Church we are admonishing people to avoid sin and evil. They do need to be taught and formed, and they do need the reminder to avoid sin. But the Church must also be a place where they can come to be healed, where they can cast their cares upon Him who cares for them and be lifted up – just like Peter’s mother-in-law. Use this year of Eucharistic education to hold special moments of adoration for the purpose of healing. Acknowledge the pains and hardships, physical, mental, and spiritual, that your people endure. Use your GC Smart Tools to invite and remind people of these Eucharistic events. You can email them, send a broadcast text, or even use direct mail to reach all your parishioners. Pastoral Action Points Plan some Eucharistic events, like Holy Hours or Benedictions where your people can come and venerate the Lord in His sacramental presence. Make them times of healing and hope for people who are carrying burdens in their hearts. Lent is coming in two weeks! We have GiveCentral pew cards, emails, and direct mail templates available for you to customize and use. You can find them in your Communications Portal. If you need assistance with the Communications Portal, or would like some training on these features, please email implementation@givecentral.org Our monthly monitor is a very powerful tool that you can use to help enhance engagement and increase giving for your location. The report can currently be found in your admin dashboard or click the link to check out your Monthly Monitor today! https://www.givecentral.org/admin/report/location-report-card 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: 6

Restoring Light: How the Church Can Lift the Burdened

Pastoral Reflection In the 1st reading for today we see that poor Job, who has suffered so many problems and deprivations, is tempted to...

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Pastoral Reflection Notice that when Jesus encounters the man with the unclean spirit, he does not condemn the man so afflicted. Rather, he has compassion for him, and his wrath is turned toward the unclean spirit afflicting him. Jesus confronts evil and its power directly and immediately throughout the Gospel of Mark. Please notice that Jesus makes a distinction between the person and that which is afflicting the person! His compassion is for the suffering person, but his judgment is upon what afflicts him. Do we sometimes judge others as persons without regard to their circumstances or “what afflicts them?” There is that wonderful saying that goes something like this: “every person you see is fighting silent battles within you know nothing about.” As Christians we need to get beyond making judgments about others based on superficial appearances or circumstances. We don’t know why people are in the situations they are in or why they think or act the way they do. First, we must see them as God’s child, a human being who has dignity before God. Then, we must both pray and work for their wellbeing! Call to action: Are all people welcome in your church? Maybe not everyone is ready for communion, but are they still welcome? Does your congregation foster a welcoming attitude toward others? Or, through sour facial expressions, or an unwillingness to create room in the pew display an attitude of judgment, a spirit of unwelcome? Judgmentalism has been a plague within the church from the earliest days, and it festers and pops up all too easily. It’s time to call it out, and push it out, just like Jesus casting out the unclean spirit! Resolve that as Lent approaches your parish will become more dedicated to developing the spirit of welcome. Pastoral Action Points Resolve that your parish will be a place of welcome, solace, and pastoral love. In this year of Eucharistic education, plan events that allow people to open their hearts to Christ in his sacramental presence. Use your GiveCentral GC Smart Tools to get contact information from new parishioners and visitors, then follow up with an email, a text, or a call within 24 to 48 hours! If you need assistance in setting this up please contact the GC Implementation Team at implementation@givecentral.org Plan for Lent now, if you haven’t already! Ask your teens to be welcomers at masses. Ask your senior citizens to run a “welcome booth” near your main doors! The 2024 GiveCentral Webinar Schedule is now available! Save your seat to attend a webinar, expert insight, parish roundtable discussion, onboarding or reboarding training session! Click here to save your seat. 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: 6

Welcoming All with Grace: A Call to Compassionate Ministry

Pastoral Reflection Notice that when Jesus encounters the man with the unclean spirit, he does not condemn the man so afflicted. Rather, he...

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