Excerpt from the Sunday, July 24th Bulletin, written by Emily Dalsky (Director Faith Formation & Evangelization)
Greetings in Christ!
What a lovely first month I’ve had at Nativity. Thank you for your gracious welcome! I wish to share a few thoughts on parish life as I begin my time here. With that vision, I hope to provide some ways we can grow together in faith as a community.
We were created to worship God—both now on earth and forever in heaven. So, when we worship, there is a rightness about it; we are giving God what He is due, namely, our praise. The parish is a place of worship that anticipates Heaven, our eternal place of worship.
The etymology of the word “culture” is cult or in Latin cultus. Cultus means to worship. So, when we come together every Sunday in worship, we are forming a culture. Not only are we fashioning our local culture here at Nativity, but we are also participating in the very culture of the universal Church.
I greatly desire to help us grow as a worshipful people who “love the Lord with our whole hearts, minds, souls and strength” (Mt 12:30). I am planning opportunities for us to deepen our relationship with the Lord and continue culture-building at the parish, opportunities such as: retreats, book studies, mission trips, and the like. I warmly encourage you to partake in these future offerings. In terms of youth faith formation, the vision is the same: to create a prayerful culture of discipleship through love and knowledge of Christ and His Church.
From this place of worship, of knowing and loving Jesus, we are sent by the Lord to preach the Good News to the ends of the earth. In other words, the parish is not simply a stagnant hub of believers. It is “right and just” that we come together every Sunday—some of us every day!—for the sacrifice of the Mass. Yet I fear that, for many of us, the scope of our faith stops when we walk outside the church doors. Jesus’ Great Commission did not solely apply to the first Apostles. It applies directly to us, to all Christians, in all times. I want to help us be an evangelistic force. To boldly proclaim Jesus not only to the person in our pew, but to our next-door neighbor, cashier, hair stylist, family members, and friends. Jesus entrusted His entire message to a rag-tag team of men who transformed the world. With the help of grace, we also can do this today.
Every single person is starving to know they are immeasurably loved and that their desire for communion can be satisfied. We, my brothers and sisters, are sent by Christ to reveal this love as Christ was sent to reveal the love of the Father. Being sent on mission is a participation in the very life of the Trinity. The Lord invites, indeed, commissions us into such a noble mission. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to learn how to share Christ with others.
Mindful that our efficacy as evangelists rests on God and not us, I am excited for us to step out in faith as the first Apostles. If we do not go out and share the Good News, the Church will die; the Word will go silent. God is, in some mysterious way, dependent on us to share His salvific message to the world. May we be not afraid, confident the Lord has chosen us “for such a time as this” (Es 4:14).
If, as you read this, something stirs your heart and you’re interested in getting involved—whether attending or leading a small group, starting a ministry, becoming a catechist, desiring to evangelize, etc.—please do not hesitate to reach out. I would love to hear from you.
With prayer and gratitude,
Emily Dalsky