Stating the Mission

     This month marks the 70th anniversary of the first Mass celebrated at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish. You’ll notice we have a special edition of the bulletin this week to mark the occasion, and it will be a theme for us throughout the year as we give thanks to God for the blessing of our parish, and ask that He continue to renew us and make us a blessing to others. 
     One of the little fruits of this anniversary year has been the formulation of a new Mission Statement: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Parish is a community of the Christian faithful in Southwest Dallas County, within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas, dedicated to the transmission of the Catholic Faith, the sanctification of our members, and all other aspects of the Church’s mission. We desire to bring people to Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ to His people, for God’s greater glory and the salvation of souls. 
     The occasion that prompted the drafting of this Mission Statement was actually a grant application — more on that at a later time — but I think it’s also fitting on this milestone anniversary that we consider anew who we are, what we do, and why. The goal in formulating this Mission Statement was to express these things clearly and concisely. I’ve adopted it for us after having consulted and received the unanimous consent of our Parish Finance Council. You may have seen it posted in various places around the parish, and I hope it may be an instrument of renewal for us as we are reminded of our identity and mission. 
     Another little project I have in mind for this anniversary year is a new Parish Directory. Our most recent Directory was done in 2007, and the time is ripe for a new one. Directories like this are a nice little snapshot of the life of the parish at a given moment, and just like family photos, it’s important to document some of these moments for the future. Moreover, I hope this Parish Directory will draw us closer as a community and help us get to know better the folks who sit next to us in the pews each week. Stay tuned for more information on this in the coming weeks, and I hope everyone will participate. 
     Finally I’d like to thank Deacon Larry Seidemann for leading our Lenten Mission this year on the Penitential Psalms, and the Altar Guild for providing supper for us after each of the sessions. What a blessing y’all are to this community!