I have many hopes and desires for the future of the Saint Ambrose Parish, and I endeavor to fulfill them through my ministry as pastor. I am highly motivated to work towards creating an even more vibrant community where great things are possible through our mutual collaboration and the grace of God. I imagine a community where all people are welcome to experience the living God. I imagine a place where people experience God's love through our hospitality, where we are supportive of one another in following Jesus (especially in serving the poor), and where we commit ourselves to support the mission of the parish through the stwewardship of our time, talent, and treasure. Much of this vision is a reality, but there is always room for improvement.
As strong as I feel about this vision for us, I realize that it is very incomplete and is continuously evolving. My vision for our parish is incomplete precisely because it is OUR parish. That means that any vision for OUR parish has to include the hopes and desires of everyone in our parish. What are your hopes and desires for Saint Ambrose Parish? The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) is going to be asking you that question in the near future. Just as I did five years ago, I have asked the PPC to conduct a parish survey to get your input. As we did then, we will form goasl based on what you have to say. Survey questions will focus on five categories (worship, education, service, administration, and community) because the Archdiocese will be going through a similar process next year using the same categories.
Next month, you will be given the opportunity to help create a collective vision for the future of our community of faith but start the process now by asking God about this in your prayers.