Fr. Erik’s Letter

State of the Parish

1/20/2022

In this first month of 2022, I would like to share with you my thoughts about the state of Christ the King Parish at this point in our history.

These are certainly not ordinary times. Living through an ongoing pandemic has affected every aspect of life and will no doubt be a touchstone in history for generations in the future. Each of us could identify various challenges we have faced and losses we have endured.

Father Erik’s Letter

1/27/2022

Synod on Synodality

This email is a follow up to my email of January 21. In that message I spoke of the state of our parish and asked for volunteers for various needs. I mentioned at the end about an effort of Pope Francis called the Synod on Synodality. While the name is odd the purpose is much needed in our time. A synod is a gathering in Rome of various Church leaders to discuss topics of faith at a deeper level. In 2023 Pope Francis intends to gather Church leaders to discuss the process for hearing the voices of Catholics around the world. He has spoken many times of wanting to reach the peripheries of the global Catholic Church. He has a desire to hear from those who have been marginalized for various reasons.

I am asking you to take the questions attached HERE and invite someone into a conversation. Find a time and place conducive to a real conversation. Point out that Pope Francis and Christ the King parish want to hear real stories of faith with all the ups and downs. In the questions you will see a desire for honest experiences, even if painful. But, the goal is also to find a path to return, or to a deeper faith. While this effort depends on individuals starting the conversation, it doesn’t have to end there. Your invitation needs to be the starting point, but the parish may have to help continue the journey. Your priests and others in the parish are ready to help as we can.