The La Salette Bulletin for April 2nd – April 8th
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La Salette Shrine of Enfield, NH
Facebook page dedicated to sharing the message of Our Lady of La Salette, and information about the shrine located in Enfield, NH.
#Synod on Synodality Sessions at La Salette Shrine of Enfield, NHThe desire and eagerness to tell the story of our journey under the guidance of the Holy Spirit was truly evident at all three listening sessions. The sessions began with a short welcome and explanation followed by a gathering hymn and the prayer to the Holy Spirit for the Synod. Participants then separated into smaller groups and answered questions derived from the suggested synod focus questions. We ended with a closing prayer and short evaluation.
Summary
Our relationship with the Church has changed from one based on obedience to one encouraging personal spirituality. While still finding joy in attending Mass and in the sacramental Church, we now also participate in ministries and function as ministers at Mass and in the community. There are opportunities to learn about the faith and live it more fully outside of Mass which gives our faith journey more meaning. The ability to fully experience our faith depends on Church leadership, and specifically our local priest. This results in a confusing relationship between the People of God and the Institutional Church.
It is an unfortunate result of this variety in Catholic Church leadership that people who do wish to continue as part of a faith community move to other faith communities in which they feel welcome. In this way we are failing the young, the marginalized who long to be accepted, and the lost and disillusioned Catholics.
The ability to listen is not apparent in all clergy. Rather than encourage us to use our gifts, some clergy separate themselves from the people by refusing to listen to what the community needs. However, the Holy Spirit has inspired the laity in small groups, ecumenical efforts, youth groups and other interpersonal relationships to do the work of the Church. Priests who engage with and listen to the members of the church increase the positive feeling in the church community.
Conclusion
The message and practice of Church leadership must be unified in order to guide us on our way to fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. By doing this we will be encouraged to evangelize and use the gifts God has given us to help each other on our way and achieve a deeper understanding of the message of the Gospel.
Planning Committee
Father John Sullivan, MS, Father Joseph Gosselin, MS, Associates Sharon Markowitz, June Partridge, and Francine Lozeau, and lay synod leader Christina Haidari
Thanks to Holy Family Parish in Nazareth, PA in the Diocese of Allentown, for sharing questions asked and information on how sessions were held.
A wake for Father Donald Jeffrey, MS, who ministered in both Lebanon, NH and at the La Salette Shrine in Enfield, NH, will be at the La Salette Shrine in Enfield on Friday, July 1 from 6 to 8 pm.The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 2 at 10 am in the Chapel of Our Lady and burial will be at the La Salette Cemetery. A gathering will follow in the cafeteria.
