By: Fr. John Jasica
A POWERFUL WEEKEND OF GRACE & HOPE
The St. Agnes Choir was amazing at the Final Mass. Former and current members came together to thank God for the 68 years of faith at the parish.
As I write this article, I am feeling extremely overwhelmed with gratitude, faith, hope, love, generosity, humility and unity. I am in awe of the events that took place this past weekend as we celebrated 68 years of faithfulness at St. Agnes Parish and the closure of the church.
It was a weekend filled with many different emotions. It is never joyful to close a church, but I have to say, the events of the weekend brought all of us closer together as a family of parishes united in the one mission of forming disciples who reach out to all. This was a joyful surprise and grace in the midst of a very challenging time. It was a miraculous event to witness!!!
SHARING GRACES & MEMORIES
It was a full church with people from across the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes including former pastors and associate pastors. A sign of unity & faith.
Over the weekend I encountered many current and past parishioners who shared memories and experiences at St. Agnes Parish. People were positive and encouraging despite the challenge and sadness of closure—looking to the future full of hope. Not only was there acceptance of the difficult reality, but at the same time a zeal and energy to move forward in faith, seeking to embrace more and more our IGNITE THE MISSION pastoral plan.
A small crowd gathered on Friday evening for our night of “Praise, Prayer & Memories”. It was a moving time as people shared their memories and described the spirit of St. Agnes Parish as a welcoming, faithful and active faith community seeking to serve others. They shared how important the parish has been in their lives and thankful for the opportunity to remember knowing that the legacy of St. Agnes will continue to bear fruit in our family of parishes.
SUPER FAITH SUNDAY—A CATALYST FOR UNITY
There were nearly 300 people gathered from across our family of parishes celebrating St. Agnes Parish and the journey forward to form disciples who reach out to all. Thanks to Brian Machado and his amazing team from Churrascaria Steakhouse for the great meal and generous service.
In a few weeks we will be hosting our annual SUPER BOWL party at the Spirit & Life Centre. Despite the fact that Detroit and Pittsburgh will not be playing—it is always a fun night and usually a good game.
This past Sunday was a SUPER FAITH SUNDAY greater than any Super Bowl. I experienced a powerful grace of unity and mission with joyful hope for the future. I was so impressed and grateful to all those who attended the Final Mass with Bishop Fabbro and the dinner following at the Spirit & Life Centre.
I heard countless words of gratitude and support from parishioners from across our family of parishes who were thankful for the celebrations and thankful for our IGNITE THE MISSION pastoral plan as we move forward. I also heard from many people commenting on the fact that these celebrations are uniting us as one faith community. They also mentioned that we should be gathering as one community for events more and more!!
I truly believe that we are on the right path, following Christ on mission to transform Chatham with the light of faith that fills every heart. This past weekend showed this to me in abundance. Despite the immense sacrifice and sadness of closing a church in our family, we are all embracing the bigger mission that is before us—going forward with enthusiasm, hope, gratitude and grace. I see the experiences of this past weekend as a clear powerful sign of unity, mission and family…and so we journey together.
