Lenten Exercise of Parish Mission

When St. Eugene called together the Missionaries of Provence he saw that popular missions would be the principle responsibility of his new missionary community. It was a direct response to Pope Pius VII’s words to Fr. Charles de Forbin Janson that in that particular time of history: “France needs especially missions for the people and retreats for the clergy.” Eugene clearly pointed this out to Fr. Tempier as he invited him to join the community, “Only missions can bring people back to the faith.”

Knowing that, I really appreciated the invitation to do the Parish Mission this Lent in Labrador West along with Fr. Tony O’Dell, OMI. Since my current primary ministry is in the Oblate parish and Mission With Youth, it was an opportunity to step out of my ministerial comfort zone. During the time of preparation I was just studying about the Oblate spirit of early years’ mission activities, as I’m taking classes in Oblate spirituality. It helped me to better understand the Oblate uniqueness of the mission. The methods might have changed and the social-demographic realities are different then 200 years ago. Nevertheless the fundamental principles of Oblate ministry remain the same.

So in the middle of Lent, Fr. Tony and I traveled to the parishes where we ministered for 14 and 11 years respectively, before coming to Hamilton. We led people of Labrador West in reflection of the Parish Mission with the theme “You Belong”. During the Mission we reflected on the good news of belonging. We belong to the community, to God and to the Church! We are never alone because our identity is based on the fact of being beloved child of God.

Although Labrador welcomed us with “tons” of snow and frigid temperatures (wind-chill reaching -37 degrees), we experienced a very warm welcome and hospitality from the old and new friends, which is so natural in the hearts of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. It felt like a homecoming…

I’m always especially been inspired by the call to be close to the people. We might not have been able to visit every single household, but we certainly made an effort to get to know the realities of people’s lives, their joys and struggles in their personal and community lives. This helped to make our reflections more relevant and to address the heartaches that they are experiencing at the moment. I see the Parish Mission as a journey of faith, meeting people where they are and accompanying them on life transforming journey with Christ. It’s all in the spirit “to lead people to act as creatures of reason, then as Christians, and finally to help them become saints.” (Constitutions and Rules 1826 §7)

Eugene and his companions grasped the importance of the “follow up” concept setting up the structures for ongoing formation. I always keep in mind, that the Parish Mission is not just an entertainment for a few days. It is supposed to set people up for success. It’s more like a send-off rather than one time event.

During the Mission in Labrador West we felt people’s sincere desire and enthusiasm for the renewal of their parish life. We encouraged them to keep this fire burning! We left the tools and resources, based on our experience at St. Patrick, to help them to take the next steps; as the Parish Mission is only the beginning. We invited them to be a part of the Amazing Parish movement, just as we took this opportunity a few years ago. To be the Church that the people, who don’t like the Church, like!

I’m grateful for the experience of the Parish Mission in Labrador West. It confirmed for me that this form of ministry is still powerful and inspiring for the participants but as well for the preacher. After all we are on the journey of faith together. In the current Oblate Constitutions and Rules the ministry of preaching the Gospel remains as one of the most important, “Our principal service in the Church is to proclaim Christ and his Kingdom to the most abandoned. We preach the Gospel…” (C.5).

By Jarek Pachocki, OMI