Bishop Chris celebrated Mass and led the adults’ sessions at the first retreat on July 25.
As Viatorians strive to serve the holy altar, St. Patrick Parish in Kankakee, IL, is helping its liturgical ministers with formation and renewal through a pair of retreats.
St. Patrick established weekly Mass in Spanish last year and has expanded its Hispanic ministry, so this retreat was offered on July 25 for Spanish-speaking ministers and will be offered again on August 15 for English-speaking ministers.
At this first Spanish-language offering, Pastor Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, took the lead on working with the adult participants and celebrated Mass for the group. “We did a reflection on God’s calling us by our gifts, through 1 Corinthians 12 and the many gifts of the Spirit. Then, I shared a bit more on prayer – encouraging them to take time to dedicate to it and practicing different models for prayer,” Bishop Chris said. “In between, they had some time to walk and reflect, and then we took time to share together.”
The large group shared Mass together, and then the young people had their own slate of activities with Sr. Amy.
And this retreat was also for young people who take part in liturgical ministries, including many altar servers. Sr. Amy Mejia, SSCM, has been ministering with St. Patrick and our parish Sacred Heart Church in Pembroke Township, IL. She led the kids’ activities, with help from a pre-novice in her community, the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. This community runs the One Heart, One Soul Spirituality Center in Kankakee, IL, which is hosting the retreats.
These retreats are meant to recharge these generous parishioners as well as to formally recognize the importance of these ministries in our liturgy.
Bishop Chris commissioned the liturgical ministers as part of the retreat.
“We did a commissioning service for everyone – lectors, Eucharistic ministers, hospitality ministers, and catechists as well as kids who are altar servers,” Bishop Chris said. “Taking the time to do this for everyone was important. And as I talked to folks afterwards, they were asking, ‘When are you going to do the next one?’”