WHY DO A PARISH EXAMEN?

• Deepening our Jesuit Charisms 
   
  

  STM is part of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus, which has invited all Jesuit parishes in the Province to engage in an examen process. The Society believes Jesuit parishes can be a light in our hurting church and world. The Parish Examen process is designed to help us claim and foster our parish’s unique Jesuit charisms. At the end of our examen process, we will share the fruit of our prayer with the Province.
  
  

• Discerning a 5-Year Plan
  
  

  We gained valuable insight from the Synod Small Group conversations that occurred at our parish in the fall of 2021. Fr. RJ (as STM’s future pastor) and our Parish Council would like to build upon that insight and take this opportunity to discern the desires and goals we are being called to focus on for the next 5 years.

PROCESS OVERVIEW:

• Reflection
  
  

  This stage is intended to help us notice and become aware of what is actually occurring (or not) in our parish. Foundational documents, articles, and generative questions will be provided to begin prayer and discernment.

• Examen
  
  

  This stage is an opportunity to engage our hearts, notice consolations and desolations, and sense a call from God. Parish leadership, staff, and parishioners will all have opportunities to give input.

• Commitments
  
  

  This stage is where we define our collective call as a parish. Pastoral council will use input from parishioners, staff, and parish leadership to create a document of our discerned calls and commitments and a detailed 5-year plan.