This weekend I am preaching the fourth and final homily that concludes the current message series called “ALL IN—Becoming Faithful Disciples in Our World Today”. This series has been a chance to reflect on our IGNITE THE MISSION PASTORAL PLAN and how we as the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes seek to form disciples who reach out to all. If you missed any of the homilies you can go to our family website (www.chathamcatholic.ca) and catch up.
September 6/7 – MAINTAINING THE TOP PRIORITY
September 13/14 – APPOINTED FOR GREATNESS
September 20/21 – JUMPING INTO THE DEEP END
October 4/5 – THE PERFECT PLACE TO GROW
“INCREASE OUR FAITH”
The life of the Apostles must have been amazing as they listened to Jesus teach and preach while also humbled at the many who were healed and forgiven of their sins. They could not completely understand what was happening but at the same time knew that they were part of something special and powerful.
Eventually they came to understand Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. Which I think made them quite confused and afraid—not understanding why they were called to help build the kingdom. I am sure they felt inadequate and not up to the task of sharing the Good News like Jesus. This is why they turned to the Lord in the gospel this weekend asking—”INCREASE OUR FAITH!” They wanted to find out how they could become stronger, wiser and more like Christ.
I think we are like the Apostles—in awe of the grace, love and hope Jesus brings us while feeling totally unworthy to be a disciple. Yet the Lord does choose us and invites us to trust Him so that we can be instruments of grace in a world that needs to encounter Jesus through us.
This is why our family of parishes is so important. We do not live our Catholic faith in isolation. We are one family and we need each other. Our faith community is the perfect place to grow our faith, becoming faithful disciples courageously sharing the Gospel in everything we do. Our pastoral plan is designed to help us increase our faith and respond to Christ’s call to be messengers of the Gospel.
INVESTING IN FAITH
For us to increase our faith and to grow as disciples, we need to invest who we are and what we have into our family of parishes. All our ministries, programs and outreach offers us opportunities to deepen our relationship with Christ and one another while growing our gifts and talents for the sake of the gospel.
We have clearly identified 6 Qualities of a Faithful Disciple (Prayer & Sacraments, Invest, Share & Invite, Serve, Formation, Small Groups) in our pastoral plan that are essential for us to increase our faith and continue the mission of salvation.
Here are a few suggestions on how we can start investing and increasing our faith in the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes.
(1) FIND TIME & PRAY!
We are all too busy and never have enough time to reflect, evaluate and assess what we are doing and where we are going. We need to slow down and stop so that we can see where we have been and what is ahead of us asking—What does the Lord want me to do? We need to carve out time to stop and pray—opening our hearts to the Lord and listening to His voice. When we push aside all the noise, distractions and our own busyness—we can find the time to reorganize and re-prioritize our lives, making room for God, faith and service!
(2) SERVING IS KEY—GO BEYOND YOURSELF
Growing in faith requires us to go beyond ourselves. There are countless outreach ministries in our family of parishes that need your presence and support. This includes the St. Agnes Soup Kitchen, Interfaith Caring Kitchen, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Carlo’s Place and so much more. Contact Colleen Keane, our Outreach Lead—she can help find a place for you.
Another amazing place to serve is within our liturgical ministries. This includes altar servers, lectors, Mass hosts, choirs, PowerPoint, video team, Sunday Friends and Eucharistic Ministers. Contact Maureen MacDonald, our Weekend Experience Lead—she can help find a place for you.
(3) CONNECT WITH OTHERS
There are many different social opportunities in our family of parishes that helps us connect with others. We are not in this journey alone. We have our Catholic Women’s League, Knights of Columbus, THE CHOSEN series, Couples Small Group Series (other small group opportunities coming Lent 2026), family movie nights, family special events, parish breakfasts, Disciple’s Road, pickleball and so much more. Getting to know others brings joy and hope.
