Final Prayer Card Summary
July 17, 2019
Dear Parishioners,
As many of you will recall, we held a number of healing events as a parish in the wake of the last round of the Church sex abuse scandal last fall.
Part of that was to have parishioners write out confidential prayer cards in response to the crisis which were put into a wicker basket on our altar and burned in a ceremony before the Easter Vigil.
As noted below, before they were burned a few parishioners went through these anonymous prayer cards to pick out themes contained in them.
We thought parishioners would be interested in knowing the themes in their fellow parishioners' prayers, hopes, desires, and concerns expressed at this time. They are listed below and on our website. We shared a copy with Archbishop Hebda.
If you have anything you'd like to share in response, feel free to share them with Pastoral Council Chair Steve Thomas, Pastoral Associate Carol Arend, or me.
Christ's peace,
Fr. Warren, Pastor
VIEW SUMMARY
Discernment on Incorporating More Perspectives
March 31, 2019
In an attempt to incorporate more voices and perspectives, St. Thomas More Parish leadership is moving ahead with a trial to have qualified lay people – particularly women – offer reflections on the readings for weekend Masses after the opening prayer, before the readings on an occasional basis. The priest would then offer a brief homily at the prescribed time after the gospel. This would be in compliance with Church Regulations on lay preaching (Canon 766). This would be done four times per year during months when there are five Sundays. The parish leadership included in this process were the Pastoral Council, Executive Committee, Worship Commission, and Parish Staff.
The first of these reflections will be given by parishioner Susan Stabile at Masses this weekend. Susan is trained in Ignatian spirituality and has significant experience in giving retreats and other programs of spiritual formation as well as offering individual spiritual direction. She was director of the spirituality center at the University of St. Thomas and was on the ministerial staff of St. Ignatius Retreat House in New York. She designed our small group Ignatian retreats for Advent and Lent this year and last. We are happy to have Susan give our first reflection next weekend!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Warren Sazama, S.J., Pastor