Parish News
Update from Bishop Brennan
March 26, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Since the onset of the pandemic just a year ago, the Bishops of Ohio have worked together during this
unprecedented time with the assistance of government and health professionals to lead and protect all those
entrusted to our pastoral care. By the grace of God and the painstaking efforts by so many to follow Covid19 protocols, coupled with the expanding availability of vaccines, we are making progress in our fight
against this deadly scourge. What a blessing it will be for us to be in person in our churches this year to
celebrate the Paschal Mystery, culminating in the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
In our shared hope of eradicating this virus and encouraging ongoing return of the faithful to Holy Mass
and the Sacraments each week, you are invited to continue to follow all the essential protocols of hand
sanitizing, wearing masks and social distancing. These efforts are working to the point that we are in a
much more hopeful place than we were even a few months ago.
At the same time, you are encouraged to receive a vaccine. To reiterate the teaching of the Church with
regard to the vaccine options: if you have the opportunity to choose a vaccine, you should choose Pfizer or
Moderna. While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is made from cell lines originating from an aborted human
fetus, it should be taken only if it is the only option available.
As we move toward herd immunity, notwithstanding a spike in the virus, it is our sincere hope that soon
we can return to the regular celebration of Mass with full capacity in our churches, and thus lift the
dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. We are advised that parish festivals likely can take
place this summer, preferably outdoors, following the necessary protocols. Nevertheless, we all need to
remain vigilant.
We look forward with eager longing to when we can all be together around the altar of the Lord without
any restrictions. In the meantime, let us continue to do all that we need to do to overcome the virus, and
rely upon the guidance of government and health officials so that we can return to some sense of normal.
Have a blessed Holy Week!
Sincerely in Christ,
The Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar
Diocese of Youngstown
The Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan
Diocese of Columbus
The Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas
Diocese of Toledo
The Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of
St. Josaphat in Parma
The Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic
Diocese of Cleveland
The Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Diocese of Steubenville
The Most Rev. John Michael Botean
St. George Byzantine Catholic Dioces
Parish Survey Update
We Want Your Feedback!
ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT!
Throughout Lent, parishioners at every parish are being given the opportunity to participate in diocesan-wide survey called the Disciple Maker Index that looks at all aspects of parish life. This 75-question survey is available in hard copy at all parishes and digitally on all parish websites as a survey link between now and March 22. Don’t miss your chance to participate! IT IS CRITCAL THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN THIS SURVEY FOR THE GOOD OF OUR PARISH! REMEMBER EVERY MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD OVER 18 CAN PARTICPATE IN THE SURVEY!
To date we have a total of 255 surveys have been completed. Thank you for your Participation.
The Diocese of Columbus announces Real Presence, Real Future, a strategic initiative aimed at expanding the presence of Christ throughout the Diocese over the next two years and preserving the Faith for future generations. Watch the message from Bishop Brennan:
https://realpresencerealfuture.org/
This initiative aims to re-imagine how the Church serves her people through a process or listening to the needs of the people, hearing their ideas, concerns, and desires. This planning and consultation phase will be held throughout 2021 and the findings will be implemented over the next few years. The full scope of the Real Presence, Real Future initiative will prepare the Diocese to increase its Catholic presence over the next 10 to 20 years and is intended to meet the many needs of the Diocese of Columbus’ diverse areas and ethnicities, emphasizing the utilization of active diocesan priests and deacons, mission-oriented parishes and schools, and all other available resources.
Real Presence, Real Future Priorities:
- Engaging all Catholics to reflect upon the real presence of the Lord in their lives and how they can share that presence with others.
- Articulating a plan for a comprehensive Catholic presence for each county/deanery by integrating missionary outreach, parish and school footprints, and leadership requirements for the next five years.
- Defining and developing the necessary Diocesan resources structures to support priests, deacons, and lay leaders in parishes and schools.
Real Presence, Real Future will be driven by six evangelization subcommittees:
- Forming parish missionary disciples
- Increasing the Catholic presence and outreach to university campuses
- Using digital and social communications for evangelization
- Deploying lay missionaries in parishes and schools
- Forming Catholic school faculty and staff in missionary discipleship
- Creating a soft-entry center focused on outreach to the religiously non-affiliated
Stay informed about Real Presence, Real Future
- Log on to the Real Presence, Real Future website www.realpresencerealfuture.org as the primary source for information about this initiative and will be routinely updated to provide the latest information and opportunities for feedback and consultation.
- Attend parish-level consultations in the fall to hear first-hand how this will impact your parish and grow the presence of the Church throughout the Diocese of Columbus.
- Read information in The Catholic Times, as well as other news sources such as St. Gabriel Radio AM 820/FM 88.3.
- Subscribe to the monthly Real Presence, Real Future e-newsletter. This monthly email will provide updates about this initiative and keep people informed throughout this two-year process. You can sign up here: https://realpresencerealfuture.org/stay-updated/
Important Message from Bishop Brennan
Please click below regarding the important message from Bishop Brennan about Real Presence, Real Future.
Eucharistic Exposition & Adoration
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