Due to changing demographics, a more secularized society, and fewer future priests, the Archdiocese of St. Louis has launched ALL THINGS NEW to reallocate its resources to enhance the formation of our Catholic faithful and better serve the Church’s evangelization efforts, resulting in changes in parishes and schools. By renewing the Church in St. Louis, we will strengthen our faith, enhance the way we minister and serve, and reach more hearts with the Good News of the Gospel.
During Lent, 465 St. Margaret parishioners participated in an online survey, The Disciple Maker Index. In the spring, an Archdiocesan school survey was launched, and in the summer our young adults were surveyed. Fr. John appointed a Parish All Things New Team – Deborah Elliott, Julie Bradshaw, Julie Hesed, Bob Herleth, Greg Rohde, and Luke Ruszkowski – who met this summer to review the parish findings of the Disciple Maker Index. New models for the structure of the Archdiocese are being prepared and will be presented to parishioners this fall. Archbishop Rozanski will announce the new plan for the Archdiocese on Pentecost Sunday 2023.
More than just a consolidation of parishes, ALL THINGS NEW is first and foremost a process of spiritual transformation! We are called to be renewed in our faith and strengthened in our vocation as Missionary Disciples, so that our parishes become centers for evangelization, more and more focused on going out to share the good news of Jesus in our community, especially with those most in need. May all the good we have done in the past prepare us for a future full of hope!