Archdiocesan Pastoral Conference 2021
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If you want the resources mentioned in the livestream, you can still text PC21 to 84576 to join our Flocknote.
Pastoral Conference 2021 Prep Work
The Pastoral Conference 2021 is focused on the role of the laity and will include a broader audience than in the past. These prep work videos and conference guide include essential context on the Pastoral Vision, the Big Goal, and a preview of the upcoming conference. Please share them in advance with anyone from your parish who plans to attend.
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A MESSAGE
No one expects you to remember 2016. Here’s a friendly reminder: Archbishop Lucas asked the Christian faithful in the Archdiocese of Omaha to participate in a process that would result in a pastoral vision for our local church. There was wide participation. If you recall, you prayed with others about what you heard and what you believed the Lord was telling us. The Holy Spirit was present.
The Holy Spirit-inspired vision is now well-known: One Church, Encountering Jesus, Equipping Disciples, Living Mercy.
Jump ahead to 2020. A lot happened. And a lot didn’t happen. What did happen was the Archdiocese Pastoral Conference. It was a virtual event, in keeping with the restrictions of the strange times.
“Vision doesn't just come into being,” Archbishop Lucas said. So, to help move the vision forward and better realize what the Lord desires for our local church, Archbishop Lucas used last October’s pastoral conference to draw the curtain on his Big Goal – that each parish in the Archdiocese of Omaha will be a missional community by 2026.
By missional community, he means an outward-looking group of disciples, under the care of the pastor, sent by Jesus to make disciples (Matthew 28:18). All this by 2026.
Yep, that’s Big. Aspirational. But you have to dream big if you’re going to do big things for the Lord. “The Lord is calling all of us to be His disciples and his friends,” Archbishop Lucas said. “He wants to equip us to share the light and the joy of the gospel with others.”
Following last year’s conference, parishes got busy strategizing, dreaming, executing, and experimenting with the three characteristics of a missional community:
- Collaborative Leadership – A way of exercising authority in which the pastors invite and equip a certain portion of the Christian faithful to use their gifts in the service of leadership.
- Clear Path to Discipleship – A simple, step-by-step strategy for a parish to make disciples and lead people toward full maturity in Christ.
- Culture of Generosity – A way of Christian living where we come to know that all we have is a gift from God and are invited to return to those gifts with love to our Lord, our parish, and our community.
Now it’s the year of the sequel – Pastoral Conference ’21 (PC21), and the lay faithful is our red carpet special guest.
PC20 was about the three characteristics of a missional community. PC21 will equip you with the essential habits necessary to be a missionary disciple. In other words, PC21 is a continuation of the journey you are on to renew your parish.
This is our year. It’s our year to do something big for the Lord.
FAQs
We will gather virtually on Thursday, October 7 from 12:00-4:00 p.m. Please plan accordingly for lunch.
The Pastoral Conference is an opportunity to come together and be equipped to assist our parishes in becoming the missional communities the Lord is calling us to be.
This year, we will focus our attention on a few essential habits which typify the life of a follower of Jesus Christ.
Similar to last year, the general structure of the day will be a multi-media presentation followed by a small group exercise.
Pastors are highly encouraged to invite their leadership teams, parish staff, and clergy along with laypeople in the parish community who desire to evangelize - whether or not they are already recognized parish leaders.
No, there is not an Archdiocesan registration for the conference. Pastors are encouraged to work with their point person to keep track of attendees for logistical & hospitality purposes.
The livestream will be right here at the top of this webpage.
Yes, you will have access to the livestream video post-conference right here on this webpage.
St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us!
Feast Day: October 1
We ask St. Therese to pray that we would have the same passion for proclaiming Christ that led her to be named a patron saint of missionaries.