Many of our parishes find themselves directing increasing portions of their resources on facilities. The unintended consequence is that facilities are making decisions for us, and we find ourselves having less means to direct towards staffing pastoral needs. Meeting the needs of today’s congregations may require more, different, and/or less space than yesterday. New ministry models going forward may require new structures and collaboration we have not previously enjoyed.

Ultimately, we must ensure our space supports, rather than distract from, pastoral ministry and evangelization

The Archdiocese of Baltimore has a rich history of different cultural expressions of Catholicism. At the same time, we know all have not experienced the same sense of welcome, in fact, sadly some been marginalized and have faced exclusion even from the very church they love.

If we truly hope to evangelize, that is, to extend the Gospel message to every person within our parishes, then we must cleanse our communities of every vestige of racism. This is something we must do, not because it is in vogue or because there has been unrest in our streets, but rather, because Jesus Christ has revealed the inviolable dignity of each person and he calls us to foster the common good both in our Church and in the wider society.

We need to pay close attention to the young people who still frequent our parishes. As Pope Francis said, “A Church always on the defensive, which loses her humility and stops listening to others, which leaves no room for questions, loses her youth and turns into a museum (2).” We need to build up bonds of trust and offer faith-formation opportunities, coupled with outlets to serve the poor and vulnerable. We also need to equip young adults to bear witness to other young people to Christ, “the power and wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24) and to the truth and goodness of the faith.

2 Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, No. 41.

The US Bishops in their pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, reminds us that being “a disciple of Jesus Christ leads naturally to the practice of stewardship.” As good stewards, we are called to not only receive the gifts God generously give us, but to cultivate and share them in justice with those in need. Seek the City to Come invites us to be good stewards of our archdiocesan resources, and just as we are called to use the gifts we have been given personally, we have a similar responsibility to properly steward our collective resources.

Today, now, is the time for us to carry out the Lord’s mandate to spread the Gospel as widely and deeply as possible. While we rightly speak of the Kingdom of God as “already” inaugurated but “not yet” fulfilled, nowhere does the Church’s Tradition speak of a “not now!” Rather, “This is the acceptable time; this is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2).