- Do you attend all or most council meetings? Do you attend only a few?
- Do you see value in having opening and closing prayers/services/programs at meetings?
- Would you be interested in a yearly retreat? Lent? Advent?
- Are you interested in guest speakers on a spiritual topic? What topics might you suggest?
- Can you name some speakers you would like to hear or have heard?
- Other suggestions for a spiritual program.
Refresh members’ memory on programs offered the year before, by naming the speakers and retreat topics and ask if members found them enjoyable and worthwhile. Seek input from the membership and plan for the year. Members have resources you may wish to use and ideas for spiritual programs and enrichment.
In preparing prayers for meetings, it is a good practice to use those present to participate in the proclaiming of the prayer or program. As chairperson of spiritual development, it is not necessary for you to read the entire presentation—include members in it. One topic I would suggest is for councils to concentrate on Care for Our Common Home, the national theme. It would be good to pray the rosary with this intention.
I hope you have a relationship with your diocesan/provincial counterpart and can ask for resources and advice for spiritual questions and resource ideas. I would like to see diocesan/provincial workshops offered to parish councils when possible. Parish councils should maintain a Book of Life for deceased members and send the names of deceased members to national office. It is important to respect the memory of deceased members and to be accurate in reporting their name and information. Please try to maintain a respectable Book of Life for display at meetings, Eucharistic celebrations and other services.
Dates to remember:
- World Mission Sunday, October 20th
- All Saints Day, November 1st
- All Souls Day, November 2nd
- Advent begins December 1st (first Sunday of Advent)
- National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, December 12th
- Octave of Christmas, begins December 25th
- Feast of the Holy Family, December 29th
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Mass, April 26th
“Vigilant prayer is the wisdom to discern, recognize and hold God as He passes by our side” (A Year With Pope Francis Daily reflections from his writings).
