Pastor’s Blog Entry #1
This year, Bishop Henry has asked us to “Strengthen Our Parish Communities.” It is an overall initiative which will help us all serve better, and the part that will affect most parishioners is signing a Model Code of Conduct which every volunteer in the diocese must do. The need to serve our brothers and sisters in parish communities goes back to the early church. Near the beginning of Acts we see deacons being appointed to help others. And the early community, reflecting on Jesus’ saving act and the words he spoke to the apostles, realized that serving was all a part of the way of Christ. Throughout the centuries we have countless examples of Christians serving the needs of others both within the community and outreach to the society.
Today, we are part of that work in parishes across our diocese. In serving others, we do so with a common set of values and beliefs. These tenants animate our ministry in its many facets. As evangelizers of our society, we need to show an example of how we approach our service. We are all signing a Model Code of Conduct to affirm our high standard when we serve – whether to our fellow Christians or to others. All the priests and all the staff have looked over this document and signed it. In so doing, we are affirming what we already know: that our good example helps those around us to be better. We are doing this for all those working in the parish, including volunteers, so that we all know the importance of the example we set. To this end, we need your cooperation, so that everything goes smoothly. Our intention is to have all the necessary paperwork signed, filed and reported by the end of September to meet our obligation to the diocese to have this completed.
Next weekend, before or after Mass, I request all available volunteers to make a quick stop in the classroom across from the parish hall to sign the Model Code of Conduct for the diocese. Angela Alexandre will be available with the forms and to answer any questions. If you have any difficulty with signing the form please feel free to contact me at any time.
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