"Modern Evangelization methods and parish 'mission and vision statements' seem almost exclusively focused on staying 'positive.' Keywords include: welcoming, inclusion, and diversity. Yes indeed, come to our lovely parishes, we are a welcoming, embracing and joyful faith family! or so the sayings go. Still-shrinking numbers suggest most people aren't buying it and don't find the vision compelling.
"And then comes Ash Wednesday, a wildly popular day
that isn't even a Holy Day of Obligation, and it breaks every rule of
the typically modern parish plan. Numbers aren't just slightly higher on
Ash Wednesday, they are remarkably higher."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the serious message of Ash Wednesday and some of the ways in which this message commands respect and encourages response.
To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:
Community in Mission: Ash Wednesday Breaks All the Rules of Modern Churchthink (24 FEB 23)
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