Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure – Saint Pope John Paul II
We are blessed as a Parish Family to have already achieved the core goal of our Capital Campaign: Build Our Future, Serve Our Past – to have pledged enough money to construct our new Life Center and take care of many of the urgent needs we have described over the past few weeks. We should not miss the main purpose of these efforts, however. Some individuals have asked how does this new facility called a Life Center fit into the Mission of Saint John and the Catholic Church. Many of you will recognize a theme that Pope Francis and Father John have both asked our Catholic Community to focus on: New Wine in New Wineskins
In the Christian life, even in the life of the Church, there are old structures, passing structures: it is necessary to renew them! And the Church has always been attentive to this, with dialogue with cultures . . . It always allows itself to be renewed according to places, times, and persons. The Church has always done this! From the very first moment, we remember the first theological battle: was it necessary to carry out all of the Jewish practices in order to be Christian? No! They said no! The gentiles could enter as they are: gentiles . . . Entering into the Church and receiving Baptism. A first renewal of the structures. . . . And so the Church always goes forward, giving space to the Holy Spirit that renews these structures, structures of the churches. Don’t be afraid of that! Don’t be afraid of the newness of the Gospel! Don’t be afraid of the newness that the Holy Spirit works in us! Don’t be afraid of the renewal of structures! – Pope Francis7/6/2013
Our church is a constantly evolving and engaging community, meant to seek out and assist every single one of us, and all those that have not yet heard and accepted Catholicism as the loving, healing, joyous faith it truly is. The Life Center and the programs that will come from our Mission will engage the current Saint John Parish Family with events and activities for all ages. Just as importantly, it will also provide exposure for the local community to our Catholic ideals and our active, faithful programs. We will be able to evangelize through our actions, and I know that just a little exposure to our positive environment at Saint John will bring those that have fallen away back to our doors.
However, we need our entire Parish Family to give in order to reach our additional goals. If you haven’t turned in your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible. If you did not receive your Campaign Packet or if you have any questions, please contact Joe Lichwalla, the Campaign Coordinator at 239-495-2001 or email: [email protected].