Parish Leadership Regional Gathering - Portland

In early July, a USCCB Convocation of 3,500 Catholic bishops, clergy and lay leaders gathered in Orlando to prayerfully explore themes of renewal and evangelization, utilizing Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel” as a roadmap. Our Archdiocesan delegation returned to Oregon with four key areas to focus on: mission, witness, unity and renewal throughout the Church. The question on everyone’s mind after the convocation was…“what’s next?”

These “Parish Leadership Regional Gatherings” are intended to respond to this call of the convocation to renewal through missionary discipleship. Parishes are invited to join Pastoral Center staff in continuing the dialogue and vision of the convocation in three regions in Western Oregon: Central Point on August 22nd, Springfield on August 23rd and Portland on August 24th.  

 This is a great working opportunity for all parish leadership to gather together ahead of the new school year, to share ideas in breakouts with peers, pray together, and to discuss the latest pastoral initiatives. In particular, we encourage Faith Formation leaders and Youth Ministers to attend, since this event expands on the in-services and gatherings that have been offered in past years.  An agenda is available HERE. Twelve members of the Pastoral Center Staff will be present and available for one-on-one discussion.

 In addition to Faith Formation leaders and Youth Ministers, we invite clergy, pastoral council members, committee chairs, volunteer coordinators – and others who are involved in the leadership of your parish.  Help us ensure that your time together is successful by taking ten minutes to complete this brief planning survey. 

We look forward to seeing you on the road at the end of this summer! 

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

Schedule

August 24 - St. Pius X, Portland: Mass at 8:15am

9am: Welcome, prayer and introductions

9:15am: Foundation, Motivation and Context of the Gathering 

9:30am: Pastoral Center staff updates

10:30am: Break

10:45am: Break-out Session I - Gathering in specific ministry groups

12pm: Lunch and Networking

1pm: Break-out Session II - Gathering in specific ministry groups

2pm: Time to share Parish ideas, initiatives, questions

2:30pm: Closing Prayer

Pastoral Center Staff Attending:

Rolando Moreno: Catechesis & Faith Formation

Jason Kidd: Marriage & Family Life / Youth & Young Adult  

Deacon Felix Garcia: Hispanic Ministry

Kelsey Rea: People with Disabilities

Matt Cato: Life, Justice and Peace

Miriam Marston: Institute for Catholic Life & Leadership

Patrick Clark: Stewardship & Development

Todd Cooper: Divine Worship; Oregon Catholic Conference; Pastoral Councils

David Renshaw: Communications

Fr. Jeff Eirvin: Vocations

Sarah Kresse: Vocations

Deacon Kevin Welch: Director, Pastoral Ministries