Eucharistic Adoration takes place at Sacred Heart Parish in Russellville on July 1, 2024, during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s visit to the Diocese of Owensboro. RILEY GREIF | WKC
The local parish
BY DR. JEFF ANDRINI, OFFICE OF EVANGELIZATION AND DISCIPLESHIP
“The community of faith is a place of invitation, welcome and hospitality, especially for those who are inquiring or returning. Fellowship and solidarity with one another in the community of faith is a reflection of the Trinity” (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Living as Missionary Disciples,” pg. 16).
The Trinity is not a word found in the bible; rather it developed as the Early Church began to understand the revelation of God through the Son, followed by the descent of the Holy Spirit. This communion of love between the three persons in one God is the model, image and desired reality for the local parish.
How have you experienced communion in your parish faith community both today and throughout your life as a Catholic? In the Eucharist we receive what we are called to be, the very Body of Christ living in and through us. While as individuals, our journeys of faith are indeed our own, for many people, the closest we have felt to God or have grown deeply in our walk with the Lord has been because we were participating in vibrant parish opportunities and growing with others.
Our Acts 2:42 small groups meeting this January will talk about the importance of the local parish. It is here where people experience the Catholic Church in the gathered community and in all its parishioners as we begin the week. The challenge is that while we go to Church to receive Jesus, we are sent on mission to be Jesus to others. Our parish needs our involvement, creativity, and engagement to be a place of invitation, welcome, and hospitality. Go to our diocesan YouTube channel @dioceseofowensboro and look up Session 5, The Local Church, and listen to this beautiful witness.
It takes all of us growing in our communion with the Trinity and with our local brothers and sisters in our parishes to engage in the renewal that our Church is striving to live. The scriptures exhort us to tithe 10% of our income. What if we took this further to say 10% of our time should be in service to the Church and God’s people? While this is not found in the bible, it might be a good place to start. What if we took the 16 hours a day that we are awake, over seven days a week, and tried to spend 10% of these hours growing in our relationship with God and serving others? That is a total of 112 hours, so, 11.2 hours each week. Options include Adoration, personal prayer, being active in a small group, serving on a parish committee, and countless other ways to grow and serve.
It will take all baptized Catholics living and serving in our local parishes to be the face of Jesus to the world. Watch next month for information on “Walk With One!”
Happy New Year!
Jeff
Dr. Jeff Andrini is the director of the Office of Evangelization and Discipleship, and can be reached at [email protected].
Originally printed in the January 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
