Three years ago, at a meeting of parish leaders to discern our future orientations, we viewed a video of Pope Francis’ Pentecost homily. In the ensuing discussion, we were moved to embark upon a three-year journey into the “New Evangelization.” As you may remember, we began with a focus on encountering Jesus, both in the Word and in our daily lives; we continued by deepening that relationship through growth in Prayer and by embracing Sacramental Living; finally, in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we give witness to our faith by living our mission: to live and proclaim God’s mercy in the church and in the world. Jesus, Prayer, Mission: quite the program! So what’s next?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples two questions. The first is generic: “who do the crowds say I am?” Then he makes it personal: “who do YOU say I am?” The world has all different kinds of opinions about the Catholic Church, about the Christian faith, and even about Jesus. But who do WE say Jesus is? Have we met him and formed a deep friendship with him? Do we meet him in his Word, in prayer, in the sacraments, in the joys and challenges of our daily life? Our witness grows in credibility when we embrace and foster this personal, life-changing encounter with Jesus, when we live it out in our daily lives, when we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit of God at work in us and in the world around us. This theme of what it means to be “transformed in the Spirit” will guide our adult faith formation and our pastoral priorities over the coming year.

This weekend, we also celebrate (at all the Masses) the many volunteers who through the year generously share their time and talent, helping to make St. Monica’s the vibrant and welcoming faith community that it is. As St. Paul reminds us, there are indeed many gifts, but there is one guiding and animating Spirit. So whether you serve St. Monica’s in liturgy and music, in catechesis or adult faith formation, in various forms of social outreach, in pastoral home care or on the baptismal team, as members of the pastoral council or wardens – whether you serve regularly or only occasionally – this invitation is for you! We look forward to blessing you, to sharing a simple gift with you as a token of our appreciation, and to celebrate you with cake and coffee in the hall after Mass! So let us celebrate as one community the many gifts of the Spirit present through our volunteers. Thanks and God bless you!