‘Flourishing’ Langley parish needs its new hall: Archbishop Miller

This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily Dec. 1 during a visit to St. Joseph’s Parish in Langley. More information about parish visits, including photos, here.

The experience of meeting with so many people who are actively engaged in the life of your parish family has provided me with first-hand evidence that your community is flourishing under the shepherding guidance of your pastor, Father Patrick, with the devoted help of Father Lawrence, your wonderful staff, and your army of dedicated volunteers.

During these days I have spent most of the time visiting with nearly every parish committee, association, group or ministry. During our meetings, I heard of their contributions to building up the community, often over many years of service, and I offered my own observations on certain questions that came up in our discussion.

Within a couple of months – even though I wish it were sooner! – I will send Father Chisholm a report, but let me share with you this morning just a few things that stood out during the visit.

First of all, you are blessed to have St. Catherine’s School as an integral part of your parish, even though it is not located beside this church. Your school is flourishing because of the extraordinary way in which it is carrying out its mission, under the outstanding leadership of your principal who is supported by an first-class staff, teachers and Parish Education Committee. The school Mass on Friday morning in the gym, as well as my visit to several classrooms was a highlight of my visit, which I shall long remember.

Secondly, I remain impressed by how proud you are of your parish family, and how frequently you mentioned its welcoming spirit and sense of community. It is my hope, as I know it is yours, that you will continue to find new ways to welcome more and more people who are hungry for God into your community.

Thirdly, I have been inspired by the many opportunities and initiatives available so that each parishioner can be personally engaged in the life of the parish. Countless spiritual gifts and talents are present here among you, and for this you should give the Lord thanks for such abundance. But allow me one word of encouragement to everyone who comes to Mass here at St. Joseph’s but is not yet involved or only occasionally so. I urge you to become more engaged – or engaged for the first time – in making your contribution to building up the Body of Christ through your active involvement in one or more of the parish ministries, activities, associations, and organizations. If you have remained a little on the sidelines, give serious thought to finding a ministry where the Lord can use your gifts and talents for his service and the service of your brothers and sisters.

Lastly, I cannot help mentioning – and this I heard from many of you – that the parish really does need better facilities so that adequate meeting and gathering spaces are available for community activities. I know that you have recently purchased a property so that planning can go ahead. Such projects take many years to complete, but I do urge you to begin this process as soon as possible. A dynamic parish such as St. Joseph’s, with so many missionary disciples, deserves a parish hall which meets its needs.

Pope Francis has described the 21st-century parish in a way which stresses its role as a community of disciples who live the Gospel and as a community of missionaries who share this Good News with others: In all its activities the parish encourages and trains its members to be evangelizers. It is a centre of constant missionary outreach.”

It is the Holy Father’s hope, as it is mine, that St. Joseph’s will ever more be such a community of disciples and friends of Jesus whose Christian witness leads others to experience the love and mercy of God revealed in the ministry, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.