Diocesan Spirituality: Called to Holiness and Mission
By Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G.
 

Pope John Paul II, speaking to the bishops from the Detroit and Cincinnati Provinces on their Ad Limina visit, encouraged “the development of a diocesan spirituality grounded in the particular gifts and charisms bestowed by the Holy Spirit for the up building of each local Church… At the same time, an authentic ‘diocesan spirit’ will also inspire and motivate the whole Christian community to a greater sense of responsibility for the fruitful carrying out of the Church's mission through its rich network of communities, institutions and apostolates (cf. Apostolicam Actuositatem, 10).”

Bishop Martino continues to promote a “diocesan spirituality” and an “authentic diocesan spirit,” as encouraged by Pope John Paul II. Bishop Martino began by focusing our attention on Acts 2:42 and published a Diocesan Mission Statement, inspired by this passage, at the start of the formation of Parish Finance and Pastoral Councils; he ordered the development of Parish Mission Statements, and our diocesan pastoral planning process.

In his June 19, 2008 Pastoral Letter, he directs our attention to the Year of Saint Paul and Called to Holiness and Mission: “Perhaps even more to the point is that as we observe our first full year of Called to Holiness and Mission, we will do Saint Paul great honor if we recall God’s graces in our lives, if we take advantage of the Church’s teachings and Sacraments to convert to even greater holiness, and if we bring our precious Catholic faith to others, in direct imitation of this great Apostle and missionary.

The title Called to Holiness and Mission is what I like to call a mini-gospel, a miniature statement of the Good News of salvation. Though in this first year of Called to Holiness and Mission we must prepare our parishes and institutions for the New Evangelization, we nevertheless will be reflecting upon the phrase Called to Holiness and Mission for many years to come. In fact, in the year 2018, which is less than ten years away, the Diocese of Scranton will celebrate the 150th anniversary of its founding. If in the years to come we truly plumb the depths, always with God’s help, of what it means to be Called to Holiness and Mission, then our 150th anniversary celebration will be beautiful indeed.”

Elements of Diocesan Spirituality

The Eucharist and evangelization, the four characteristics of the Church – unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity – as gifts and responsibilities; and the spirituality of vocation, communion, mission, and stewardship serve as the foundation of our diocesan mission statement and the Called to Holiness and Mission process.

Both our diocesan mission statement and the pastoral planning process are enriched by the spirituality of the paschal mystery, the discernment of various gifts to be used for the common good, the building up of community and unity, cultivation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, “love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control” as well as other aspects of the teaching of Saint Paul. These are some of the principal components of our diocesan spirituality which will help us to develop an “authentic diocesan spirit.” And these themes will help us to integrate the various activities and apostolates of the diocese in a comprehensive pastoral plan based on the various gifts and resources that can be shared for our diocesan mission.

Through prayer, ongoing faith formation and a variety of activities we can grow in the understanding and implications of diocesan spirituality as we live and put into practice our diocesan mission in the 21st century. We can grow in the understanding of the parish as mission and communion, and move beyond a mentality of maintenance of structures as we deepen our understanding of Church.

Through prayer and pastoral planning we can discover the “gifts and charisms bestowed by the Holy Spirit for the up building of each local Church,” i.e. in the Diocese of Scranton at this time. What are our strengths and weaknesses, our resources? Looking at the models of Called to Holiness and Mission and to various ways of partnership, we can express an important practical aspect of “catholicity” and foster “an authentic ‘diocesan spirit’” which “will also inspire and motivate the whole Christian community to a greater sense of responsibility for the fruitful carrying out of the Church's mission through its rich network of communities, institutions and apostolates.” We can move beyond any temptation to parochialism or congregationalism as parishes cooperate and collaborate as partners in the diocesan mission. We can promote “communion” and “subsidiarity.”

Pope Benedict and Acts 2:42

Since both our diocesan mission statement and Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton are inspired by Acts 2:42, it will be helpful to reflect on this passage and its implications for our Diocese and our parishes.

Pope Benedict XVI, in Pilgrim Fellowship of Faith: The Church as Communion, reflects on Acts 2:42. He set the context for his talk and noted that when he was invited to speak “about the connection between the Eucharist, Church fellowship, and the mission of the ‘congregation,’ the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles (v. 42) at once came to mind. Luke says there that the primitive church persisted in ‘the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers...’ He notes that Luke “portrays what the Church is by showing the dynamics of her path in history. This path begins with the sending of the Holy spirit, who gives himself to a community that is united in prayer and centered on Mary and the apostles (Acts 1:12 14; 2:1).”

He then reflects on the emergence of the four marks of the church by referring again to Acts 42: “If we reflect for a moment on what is said here, we may note that three of the basic characteristics of the Church to which tradition strongly holds unmistakably make their appearance: the Church is apostolic; she is a praying Church and, thus turned toward the Lord – ‘holy’; and she is one… The first sign by which the Holy Spirit manifests himself adds a fourth characteristic to these: the presence of the Spirit is displayed in the gift of tongues… and thus from the first moment of its existence it is portrayed as ‘catholic’.”

These four marks of the Church universal are expressed in each diocese through its parishes. Canon 369 states: “In this (diocesan) Church, the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of Christ truly exists and functions.” A spirituality of the diocese and parish must include a reflection on and practice of where these four characteristics are expressed.

Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, stated: “... unity is a characteristic element of the Church… unity comes from fellowship with the apostles and from turning to the living God in prayer. But what fellowship with the apostles means is now specified as ‘persistent remaining in the teaching of the apostles.’ Unity thus has a content that is expressed in teaching. The teaching of the apostles is the practical mode of their abiding presence in the Church. Thanks to this teaching, the future generations after the death of the apostles, also remain in unity with them and thus constitute the same one, apostolic Church.”

To protect this tradition and unity with the apostles, there is a teaching authority in the Church. Church teaching is based on the teaching of the apostles, and the development of Church teaching is guarded by the successors of the apostles, the bishops of the Church. The teaching of the Church is not based on opinions, not even majority opinions. As Pope Benedict noted, “unity thus has a content…”

Pope Benedict then reflects on the Eucharist as communion and its implications for community when he notes: “Luke sets out the four concepts we have here in two pairs: ‘teaching and communion,’ ‘breaking of bread and prayers,’ making as it were, a united whole…for him (Luke) too, Church unity is unthinkable without ‘remaining in the teaching of the apostles,’ that is in the apostolic structure of the church…”

The gift of the Eucharist and its grace of unity and communion are explained in these words: “Fellowship in the body of Christ and in receiving the Body of Christ means fellowship with one another. This of its very nature includes mutual acceptance, giving and receiving on both sides, and readiness to share one’s goods. The fact that some people are indulging themselves while others are in want cannot be reconciled with Church fellowship…”

The Holy Father further stresses the importance of justice and compassion when he states: “fellowship with the Word of God who became flesh, who through his death lets us share in his life and intends thereby to lead us toward service to one another, to a visible fellowship in living our lives.” Pope Benedict also stresses: “Receiving the Lord in the Eucharist, accordingly, means entering into a community of existence with Christ, entering into that state in which human existence is opened up to God and which is at the same time the necessary condition for the opening up of the inner being of men for one another. The path toward the communion of men with one another goes by way of communion with God.”

Several criteria of Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton focus our attention in these words: 1. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the life and mission of the parish. 2. Sacramental celebrations and devotional practices reflect the cultural heritage of the people assembled. 3. Disciples are formed by the Eucharist who support and are in communion with parish members, the Diocese and the Church universal. 4. A spirit of communion encourages co-responsibility and a collaborative style of leadership where all are valued and respected.

The parish mission statement in unity with the diocesan mission statement, and motivated by reflecting on Acts 2:42, can provide focus and direction for a parish to clarify its mission and work to accomplish the profound parish renewal of Called to Holiness and Mission.

A parish, its finance and pastoral councils, its core team reflecting on the Acts of the Apostles Chapter 2, verse 42, can begin to see what a parish is and what its mission is.

The Acts of the Apostles interprets the experience of Saint Paul on the road to Damascus as a “Call” or Vocation like the Call of Abraham, Moses and the prophets.

Throughout the year of Saint Paul, through the Called to Holiness and Mission process and in the regular life and mission of the parish, there is a need to come to a deeper understanding of the Church as a mystery of vocation. This highlights the need to pray and support people discerning a vocation, and developing a culture of vocation in each parish. Our diocesan mission statement begins by identifying with the Church as a mystery of vocation: “We the Catholic faithful…are called” – this statement speaks of vocation; it says we are all called. Through parish self study and pastoral planning for the mission of evangelization, we answer the call; we respond to our vocation. Evangelization then becomes our work of calling others to their call from God or, in other words, to their vocation. A document of the Second Vatican Council states: “The duty of fostering vocations falls on the whole Christian community and they should discharge it principally by living full Christian lives.”(Optatam Totius).

In his letters, Saint Paul describes his experience as a “conversion.” A conversion can be experienced on various levels: religious, moral and intellectual, etc. The year of Saint Paul is an occasion to promote ongoing conversion in the life of the parish, to foster a deeper understanding of the teaching of the Church and the formation of attitudes so that the teaching of the Church can become alive and life giving. After the year of Saint Paul is over, the parish will need to continue to promote vocations and ongoing conversion on various levels to promote deeper understanding and a renewed commitment to practice the faith.

We can look at Saint Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus as call, conversion, and commission. We are all called to holiness, ongoing conversion, growing in the understanding and commitment to our faith. And we are commissioned through Baptism and Confirmation to cooperate with others in the mission of the Church.

The diocesan mission statement, Called to Holiness and Mission and the observance of the Year of Saint Paul can all work together for the profound parish renewal and reconfiguration of our parishes for effective mission in the 21st century.