"The Church should always value the transformative power of faith-filled laity who are willing to serve the Gospel, Pope Francis said Friday.
“We need well-formed lay people, animated by a sincere and clear faith, whose life has been touched by the personal and merciful love of Christ Jesus,” the Pope told a plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Laity June 17.
“We need lay people who take risks, who get their hands dirty, who are not afraid of making mistakes, who go forward. We need lay people with a vision of the future, not confined to the little things of life.”
He added that the Church needs lay people who “dare to dream.”
Pope Francis said many lay people would willingly and generously serve the Gospel if they were involved and valued by pastors and church institutions.
This is part of all Christians’ baptismal vocation, he said.
“Baptism makes each one of the lay faithful a missionary disciple of the Lord, salt of the earth, light of the world, and leaven that transforms reality from within,” remarked the Pope.
The Second Vatican Council’s mandate aimed to encourage the laity to be increasingly involved in the evangelizing mission of the Church, Pope Francis said, adding that this is not a “delegation” from the Church's hierarchy.
Rather, the lay apostolate is “participation in the salvific mission of the Church” destined by God himself by virtue of Christians’ baptism and confirmation.
He said the Church must be aware of being “the house of the Father where the doors are always wide open to each person, with his or her weary life.”
The Church must be “permanently outgoing” and “an evangelizing community that knows how to take the initiative without fear, to reach out to others, to seek out those who are distant and to reach out to crossroads, to invite in the excluded.”
Pope Francis encouraged those present to look to the distant parts of the world and to the many families in difficulty and in need of mercy.
He reflected on the lay associations that have had a long history as well as the many movements and new communities that have shown great missionary zeal. He said the Pontifical Council for the Laity has observed and assisted these developments, which include an increased role for women in the Church and the institution of World Youth Days.
For Pope Francis, World Youth Days are a “providential gesture” from St. John Paul II and a tool for evangelization of young generations.
He reflected on the history of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, which was established under Blessed Paul VI more than 50 years ago.
It currently is the subject of curial reform efforts and is set to be suppressed, along with the Pontifical Council for the Family, in September, and replaced with a Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life.
Nevertheless, he encouraged the pontifical council to “look anew with hope for the future.”
“Much remains to be done, broadening horizons and accepting the new challenges that reality presents to us,” the Roman Pontiff said."
2017 - A Year of Transformation
The Seven Pillars of Our Future.
In 2017, the vitality of St Basil's will be nourished by the efforts of the laity and clergy working together to chart the path of the parish into the future.
Six pillars of the "Foundation for the Future" fundraising campaign are addressing the structural repairs needed to the church's fabric. The campaign, with the Finance Council Fundraising Committee at the helm, is working its way towards its goal of $370,000.
The Pastoral Council's "Imagine St. Basil's..." appreciative inquiry planning initiative has set its sights on 2017 to be a transformative year in the life of the parish.
St. Basil's has been for nearly 60 years, a collaboration of the laity and clergy aimed at the "Commissioning of Disciples" set forth by Jesus:
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Matthew, Chapter 28
Together with our new Parochial Administrator Fr. Ross Finlan, we are the lifeblood of St. Basil's Parish under one dome.
The seven pillars speak of our strengths and resolve as parishioners. Pillars one to six of St. Basil's fundraising campaign speak to the bricks and mortar of the church.
Our progress on funding the restoration of the buildings is found at Campaign Status and Goals. Charting the future of St. Basil's - the body of Christ in action - is found at "Image St. Basil's ...".
At St. Basil's - we build community. We invite you to count yourselves amongst us. As parishioners caring for the disadvantaged and the marginalized, concerned for the dignity of the human person, and respectful of the planet over which we have human dominion, we welcome you to St. Basil's Parish.
Provocative Possibility
Inspired by Pope Francis,
we of St. Basil’s are the hands and feet of Christ.
We foster a personal sense of belonging, engagement and ownership.
Our leadership is flexible, open and facilitates dialogue through intentional communication and collaboration among ministries.
We are committed to the formation of servant-leaders who will work together to build our faith community.
Our Pastoral Council will invite all parishioners and constituents to engage in on-going dialogues and emerging possibility themes
as they manifest themselves in the changing
environment of St. Basil's.
Positive Core of St. Basil's
Here at St. Basil's...
We give of ourselves to one another.
We live our faith in each other.
We consecrate our skills, time and talents to one another.
We testify to our faith: in life, in sickness and in death.
We welcome.
We worship.
We form our community.
We are both teachers and learners
and encourage each other to shine.
We open ourselves to suggestions.
We forge strong human connections.
We move words to actions.
From architecture
to liturgy
to community
we are a hub.
We are inclusive.
We care.
Our joyful faith community
accepts and welcomes
people in their diversity,
life conditions,
ages, situations
and backgrounds.
The embracing effect of the round church
builds a sense of belonging
and focus on the altar.
There is a spiritual peacefulness here
and a commitment to foster it.
We are a resilient,
creative community
where our faith is strengthened
and expressed in many different ways.
Our social action initiatives include the managing
of our community food bank,
collecting seeds and stamps
and providing refugee support.
Our commitment to Social Justice leads to awareness
and involvement in a wide range of social justice issues.
Our welcoming and embracing initiatives
include coffee Sundays, parish dinners,
senior’s card afternoons, community brunches,
our prayer shawl ministry,
baptisms, weddings, funerals
and providing support
to those recovering from illness
Our spiritual growth is fostered
through evening prayer and reflection,
meaningful homilies,
beautiful music that enriches our Masses and liturgies,
Lenten missions, and interfaith prayer services.
Our faith development initiatives include
retreats and workshops, children’s liturgies
and family Masses that involve the children in various parts of the Mass,
the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
as well as sacramental preparation
for children and youth.
