Dear Parishioners,

Every two years In the Diocese of Joliet, each priest who serves in a parish is required to attend a convocation that begins on a Monday evening and concludes at noon on the Thursday of that week. These are conducted at nearby convention centers capable of accommodating large gatherings such as this with overnight accommodations, food and ample spaces for daily meetings and public prayer. For the past several years, these convocations have been hosted at the Hyatt Lodge in Oakbrook which is comfortably conducive for this time of learning, refreshment and conviviality.

Each convocation focuses on a particular theme or topic that is pastorally pertinent. These have ranged from subjects such as the Eucharist, technology, the problem of pornography, priests' morale etc ... This past convocation that occurred from September 15 - 18, had as its topic, parish renewal. Its title was From Go to Make: Making Disciples in the Apostolic Age. Its foundation and springboard for action was Bishop's Hicks' first pastoral letter on evangelization - MAKE. In what I believe is a succinct and practical presentation, that in no way sacrifices a poetic flavor, Bishop Hicks addresses a universal need at this current moment in the church's history - the need to make (hence the letter's name) disciples for Jesus Christ. So simple yet so utterly profound!

Following the threefold path that have become hallmarks of the bishop's approach to ministry, i.e., Catechesis, Evangelization and Faith in Action, this pastoral letter puts before us the challenge of proceeding from baptism to shaping Christian disciples in a concrete manner that is both, respectful of our rich Catholic tradition and still relevant to the people of this day and age. The letter recognizes that our common bond is Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of the world. It highlights 5 shared elements that provide the road map for this renewal endeavor: Conversion, Confession, Communion, Commission and Prayer - 4 Cs and a P. The significance of each of these stages is defined and described so that they can be readily appropriated by every individual and parish community because, in Bishop Hicks' own words, We cannot make disciples unless we first become disciples.

To insure the success of this sacred yet daunting challenge that the pastoral letter lays before us, Bishop Hicks has provided a logical timeline.

1. Mon, Sep 15 - Thu, Sep 18 -- Launch MAKE to the priests of the diocese
2. Tue Sep 30 -- Make MAKE available on the diocesan website
3. Sat & Sun Oct 4/5 -- Each pastor to preach on MAKE
4. Require each parish to form a committee for the implementation of MAKE
5. Send each implementation committee to attend a diocesan information sharing session
6. Sat May 30, 2026 -- Celebrate a diocesan-wide liturgy at the Cathedral to pray for the success of MAKE.

I am personally invigorated and enthused by the prospect of unpacking and applying this pastoral letter with all of you here at St. Joan of Arc Parish. As requested by the bishop, I intend to preach on MAKE during the liturgies of Oct 4/5, and have selected the members to comprise our implementation committee. I am confident that the people of our parish will discover a freshness and excitement to what MAKE is calling all of us to embrace, namely the command of Jesus to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28: 19). With the support of one another and with the heavenly intercession of our diocesan patron, St. Francis Xavier and the most holy Mother of God, I am convinced that we will be successful in this ongoing effort to be renewed as persons and as a faith community. The following is the official prayer for MAKE which I invite us all to pray privately and in our domestic gatherings.

Ever-loving God, maker of all good things, you made us in your image and called us through baptism. Give us now the grace to be made into your disciples, and grant that in being so made, we will do as you commanded - to go and make other disciples as we catechize, evangelize and put our faith into action. Through the intercession of our patron, St. Francis Xavier, St. Joseph, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints, we humbly make our prayer. Amen.

Blessings to all,

Fr. Gabriel O.S.B.

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