Lent is an important time for renewal. As we welcome new Catholics during the Easter Vigil, we are invited to renew our commitment to Christ and share our faith with others through words and actions. Many of those actions draw us to serve in our parishes as leaders, by using our spiritual gifts. These gifts, or charisms, are given to us by the Holy Spirit through the grace of Baptism. They are deeply connected with our faith and, perhaps most importantly, they empower us to be models of Christ’s love as we invite others to share that love and step into leadership as missionary disciples. Which charisms did God give you? Learn more about charisms here.
Be open to what the Lord is asking of you. There will be a lot of joy that will come from it. - Claire Kitz, Saint Clement Parish
This year during the Easter Vigil, 383 Elect will be fully initiated into the Catholic Church (Baptized, Confirmed and receive the Eucharist) and welcomed into parish communities all across our Archdiocese. In addition, 201 baptized non-Catholics will be received into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church, and more than 600 baptized Catholics will complete their initiation with Confirmation and the Eucharist.
This gives us the opportunity to renew our sense of missionary discipleship by joyfully welcoming the newly initiated. Introduce yourself, congratulate them and let them know we’re genuinely happy for them. May the zeal of the newly initiated light a spark in all of us!
One way to grow as disciples on mission, and as leaders, is to learn more about renewal. The Archdiocese of Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake (School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization) are partnering to offer training to support spiritual renewal within our parishes. These online courses include:
