As we open up this new year of 2017, it seems appropriate to celebrate the feast of Mary, the Mother of God. Mary becomes the model of trusting even when we can’t figure out what God wants from us. A new year always brings a sense of hope. It helps us let go of what was tough in the past year and embrace a new beginning. It seems a good time for us to look at ourselves, as Nativity, and see where we’ve come from and where we may want to go. First, I know this transition has not been easy for anyone. You have gone from a full time (in residence) pastor and associate pastoral minister for close to 50 years. Most have known nothing but the leadership of Fr. Singer and Sr. Jolene. I also know that Anne was the other important link. The three were able to handle and organize workers for every event that came to Nativity. I understand you have built relationships with each other that are deep and wonderful. I realize there was a way that you related and communicated with one another that was very comfortable and easy. It was like family. I also realize that now you have a part time pastor who is running between three jobs and who you rarely see outside the Sunday Mass. You have a new Music Minister, a new DRE (Director of Religious Education) and 2 Pastoral Associates who have taken on many responsibilities that Sr. Jolene performed. None of us are in residence at Nativity and all of us are part-time ministers. I’m sure it gives many parishioners a sense of frustration and confusion. I understand that and I appreciate all of those who have been a support to myself and the staff even when it wasn’t easy. The difficulty I’m having is knowing how to ease the negativity of some parishioners. I have heard statements like “That’s not how we do it at Nativity” or “you’re trying to make us look like St. Charles, and taking away our identity.” There seems to a faction in the parish who are quite bitter about the changes. I don’t know how to heal that suffering. I do know that if Nativity is just OUR community of friends, OUR family, where we “help” the poor but really don’t want them sitting next to us, we will die. I’ve said this often but it’s becoming clearer after 2 years. In the last two years, I believe there has been only one family who joined our parish and no one seems too upset about it. Something is wrong.
My question is: are we really a suburban parish with ties to Nativity and to one another or are we a city parish called to be converted by the people who live in our area? That’s the million dollar question for 2017. If we choose the later, it will call us to stretch and see church in a new way. It will call us to compromise more and to see liturgy in new ways. We may have to choose music or new practices that will be more accommodating to others rather than ourselves. Let’s pray deeply for Nativity in 2017 and have the courage to let go and allow God to lead us.
My question is: are we really a suburban parish with ties to Nativity and to one another or are we a city parish called to be converted by the people who live in our area? That’s the million dollar question for 2017. If we choose the later, it will call us to stretch and see church in a new way. It will call us to compromise more and to see liturgy in new ways. We may have to choose music or new practices that will be more accommodating to others rather than ourselves. Let’s pray deeply for Nativity in 2017 and have the courage to let go and allow God to lead us.