Synod Implementation

2025-2026

Reclaiming the Lord’s Day

As we give focus to “Reclaiming Sundays,” we start with the importance of participating in Sunday Mass. Jesus Christ died so that we may have eternal life; God asks us to worship Him every Sunday (and Holy Day of Obligation) so that we can become the saints that He wants us to be. As Dr. Naughton of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas likes to state, “If we don’t get Sundays right, we won’t get Mondays right.”

January – Invitation and Prayer
“The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus.” Pope Francis
Pope Francis reminds all Christians in “The Joy of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium) that the joy that transforms our lives when we encounter the living Jesus is a joy that must be shared. Faith needs to be shared with others, especially the young, so that they can make it their own. The sacrament of Baptism is our entryway into the life of grace. Recall your own baptism and the baptisms of your family members, by celebrating the Baptism of the Lord (January 11th) in your family. Find your baptismal candles and light them, look at photos and videos from your celebrations, bless your children with holy water, pray for your godparents, pray for the clergyman who baptized you, etc. While you have out all the momentos, document your family’s baptism dates and mark them on your calendar to celebrate in future years (note: the parish may have this info if it is difficult to find). The January 5-minute video on “Invitation and Prayer” is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY-tONOKBvA.

To see more about Reclaiming Sundays, click here.