The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. Christ died on the cross for our redemption, and that memory is perpetuated forever through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Eucharist is the real, substantial presence, body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ our Lord and God. When we participate in the Liturgy and receive the Eucharist, we truly celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ. 
Helping the poor stems from a long tradition dating back to when Christ walked the earth, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked. Catholics today embrace this practice in myriad ways as parishes strive to incorporate belief into action. 
The Church is the people of God and the embodiment of Christ’s continued presence on earth. The mission of the Church is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and reveal how much God loves us. Our mission was given to us by Christ Himself after His Resurrection when He told His disciples to “go forth and make disciples of all, teaching them to observe what He had commanded.” As a family, the Church reaches out to those in need both within the family and in the world. 
Understanding that our mission is to share the Good News of Christ, we make preparations to carry out that work. That process is called Pastoral Planning. Pastoral Planning is a critical tool in helping us manage the resources available to meet the needs of the people of God. Needed at all times, it is particularly important as we cope with demographic and other major changes. 
The Lord calls each of us to the Universal Call to Holiness, a life of friendship with God. Additionally, there are specific vocational calls—to marriage, the consecrated life and the ordained priesthood. The priesthood, instituted by Christ Himself at the Last Supper, exists to lead us to the Eucharist and to preach the Gospel, to carry on the saving mystery of the cross in the world. There is a great need in the Church today to increase the numbers responding to this vocational call, and every Catholic has a role to play in this effort. 
The first task Jesus gave to His disciples after His Resurrection was to communicate His message to others. At the Archdiocese of Boston, we use both traditional and new media to announce the Gospel and to present the Catholic perspective on the issues of our day. The Pilot; CatholicTV; Cardinal Seán’s Blog; our email newsletter; and our official web site, BostonCatholic.org, are all vehicles that help us share the Good News.
Our Catholic schools provide both academic excellence and Catholic values, giving our young people the tools to excel and the moral compass to guide how they use those tools. Making sure future generations continue to benefit from a Catholic education is a critical priority. Through the 2010 Initiative, we are drawing upon the collective experience of principals, pastors, education experts, and community leaders to revitalize our schools. 
Spiritual renewal is an ongoing process for each of us as individuals and for the Church as a whole. The Archdiocese of Boston has brought a three-year program to parishes designed to help foster that renewal. It is called Arise: Together in Christ, and has already nurtured a stronger sense of community among parishioners. Through prayer and action, participants have been strengthening their relationship with God and one another. The program will continue through 2011, and parishes are welcome to join at any time.
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Most Read Pastoral Themes
Posted: 7/30/2010
Posted: 7/30/2010
Posted: 7/30/2010
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