The Parish Transformation process, required by the Archdiocese, began at Saint Linus on Tuesday, September 16, 2014. The result of the Parish Transformation process will be a strategic plan that includes specific actions, goals, and timelines that we as a parish want to accomplish. The archdiocese provided a facilitator (at no cost to the parish) to guide us through the process, though Father Mark was at most of the sessions as well. The meetings began on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 7 pm in the Cardiff Center and ran approximately 12 Tuesdays until Tuesday, November 25, 2014.
We put together a leadership team for this process. Parishioners also were invited to the meetings and had the opportunity to take an online survey regarding our parish interests and goals.
Seven building blocks are the focus of the transformation process.
- Evangelization
- Catechesis
- Prayer and Worship
- Communion
- Missionary Spirit
- Call to Holiness
- Spiritual Stewardship
Through examination of these building blocks, we will develop a ministry plan for St. Linus which will (hopefully) be approved by Bishop Wypych.
If you would like information about this transformation process, please let us know by calling Father Mark at 708-422-2400.
This page might also be dedicated to updates and more information related to our process.
You can see more information and resources in the Archdiocese of Chicago / Parish Transformation website.
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UPDATE ON APRIL 5, 2015
Last fall, our parish went through the Parish Transformation Process. The committee which led the process drafted a Mission Narrative. We would like to share this narrative with you today.
‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock…’
Rev 3:20
St. Linus parish represents a strong faith community of committed and engaged parishioners who participate in numerous ministries of service in Oak Lawn and the surrounding communities. Regular attendance at Mass is good and devotion in our Adoration Chapel reflects our passion for the Eucharist. Our commitment to liturgy and prayer, recognition as a Blue Ribbon School, strong religious education and teen COR programs, longstanding Pro-Life committee, on-going scripture study and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are the living fruits of this faith-filled community that embraces Christ as the source of all that is good. Parishioners of St. Linus comprise a diverse group from varied socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds and age ranges who come together to proclaim our belief in salvation through Christ Jesus.
We seek to know and understand what God is calling us to be and to learn how we can serve the Lord in our daily lives. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" is Christ offering Himself as the source of our salvation, to be the center of our lives and to bring a peace to us that the world cannot give.
Our goal at St. Linus is to be a people on fire with the Holy Spirit, celebrating, living, teaching and proclaiming Christ the source of our salvation among our family, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Teach the word with complete patience, not only in church, but everywhere and on all occasions, whenever and wherever the Lord’s work requires it. (2Timothy 4:2). To achieve this goal, we look to deepen our understanding of the Faith and to proclaim that all are loved, healed and saved through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is standing at the door and knocking for those that are returning to the church after years of absence, those to whom Christ is revealing Himself for a greater call to holiness and service, those to whom the Gospel is yet unknown and those who are in need of healing. Come to me, all you who are weary and overburdened, and I will give you rest. (Mt 11:28) How great is the mercy of the Lord and his forgiveness for those who return to him. (Sirach 17:29)
Our mission challenge for St. Linus is great and will require that Christ, the source of our salvation, be the center of our lives to undertake these tasks with the grace of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The task is indeed great and the road is long and winding, but we are on the side of the Lord and, in the words of Thomas Merton, “perhaps we are stronger than we think…”
