Comprehensive Survey for the Mass October 12th, 2014 Isle Madame has descendants from many backgrounds, and originally the First Nations people inhabited the area. Today the French, Irish, Jersey, and Basque peoples make up the majority of the population of Isle Madame; with the Acadian population accounting for approximately half of all island residents. With the sad closure of two of the islands churches, we have a need to welcome all of our sisters and brothers in our new Stella Maris family. We are hosting a survey to ensure we are meeting the spiritual needs of all those in Isle Madame. As you know, a temporary mass schedule was created for the Island, with the promise of a survey at a later date to hear from the people. We did not rush into a survey right away because we want to take this slowly, so we get this process correct, especially given the magnitude of the consequences of such an endeavour. It is rare that an investigation like this will be done from the bottom up, so the voice of the people can be heard. I want you to know, that the church is truly listening, so that your experience of mass can be most fruitful for your soul. At the end of October, a letter will be sent out to every mailbox in Isle Madame explaining the important survey that will take place in November for our Stella Maris Family. The letter that will be sent out is meant to inform people about the survey, so they can be present to make their point of view known. This bulletin letter is yet another reminder. The liturgy ministry committee is working with me to prepare questions on issues such as: time of mass, language for mass, time for Christmas masses etc. After our first discussions, they voted overwhelmingly to have a vote during mass, as opposed to a door to door survey. This will mean those who attend church, hence those who will be impacted most by the vote will have the greatest voice. We still want other Catholics who do not attend regularly to participate, so the letter at the end of October will provide that notification. Every person on the island with a mailbox will receive this notification and invitation letter, which will also include the questions that will be asked. Offering the questions ahead of time will allow parishioners the opportunity to thoroughly reflect on the questions before they cast their ballot at mass in mid to late November. Discussions on the exact weekend in November are still being examined by Parish Pastoral Council and the Liturgy Ministry Committee. These ministry committees will be meeting to decide on whether they want the results to be implemented in Advent which is the start of the Church New Year or in the civil New Year in 2015. If they choose the Church New Year (Advent) which starts on November 30th, then the votes would need to be cast on Nov. 15th and 16th, so results can be advertised the following week before Advent commences. If they choose to implement the results in the civil New Year, then the vote could be later. The mailbox letter at the end of October will display the exact date once the ministry committees decide. Where the church can change and adapt, we will, so all the voices of the faithful are heard. This is a grassroots opportunity that will set the stage for our encounter with the Lord in our masses in both churches for the future. Peace be with you, Fr. Doug
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 03:09:13 +0000
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