“The parish is where the Church lives. Parishes are communities of faith, of action, and of hope. They are where the Gospel is proclaimed and celebrated, where believers are formed and sent to renew the earth. Parishes are the home of the Christian community; they are the heart of our Church. Parishes are the place where God’s people meet Jesus in word and sacrament and come in touch with the source of the Church’s life.”
Communities of Salt and Light:
Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
There are four elements that constitute the life of our Parish: Worship, Word, Community, and Service.
Worship– The spiritual life of a parish animates its mission. Personal and communal prayers are essential to the building up of the body of Christ. Worship gives expression to the faith of our communities and our degree of commitment to furthering the Reign of God. Through our worship, we are nourished and strengthened to engage in the work of ministry, which seeks to transform the world. There are many opportunities to worship in our parish; you can click here to find the schedule of our services.
Word- Our spiritual journey is an ongoing lifelong process. As individuals and as a community we are called to deepen our relationship with Christ and pass it on to others. “Word” indicates a number of ways in which we do this, both formally and informally. Through catechesis, sacramental preparation, family formation, Sunday homilies, or the Christian Initiation process, we build communities of faith through preaching, teaching and living the Word of God. You can find out more a bout faith formation at St. Ann Parish by going here.
Community- We do not worship in isolation for Catholics are a communal people. Church life draws people together in mutual support, activity, celebration, and growth. It is the unity that results from members becoming involved with one another in all other elements of the pastoral mission. Community is the human dynamic through which the mission of the church is embodied and embraced. Learn about our parish community here.
Service – The Church is called to serve the needs of others and eliminate the causes of injustice. “Service” therefore includes the elements of both charity and justice. Far from being a burden to parish life, social ministry is part of what keeps a parish alive, making it truly Catholic and reflecting the Gospel mission. St. Ann Parish offers many opportunities to be of service to our neighbors; you can find out more here.
