Pillars and Plan

Pillar Members, updated February 2026

If you would like to submit a survery, you can download the file below and turn it into your parish office. Or go to https://shorturl.at/3t2Qj to submit it online. 

February 23, 2026

• The initial results from the parish metrics project was reviewed for the purpose of determining appropriate staffing levels for the Family of Parishes. Not every parish has reported yet, and we need further clarification on some of the numbers.  Additional fine-tuning is forthcoming.
• The Pillar is planning to facilitate Family staff "lunch meetings" to share ideas and best practices amongst the six parish administrative functions, and allow staff to get better acquainted.

Still to Come

May 13, 2026

• Planning to launch new procedures for the Grief and Loss Ministry in September - Grief Companions and Funeral Companions will support families planning planning funeral of deceased as well as outreach to families of deceased at wake, funeral, and afterwards. We have devised prototypes of cards to use to reach out to families. This ministry is also developing role descriptions of what responsibilities there are for those working in this ministry. Seminars are planned for the Fall on "Faith and Grief", "Grief through the Holidays" and "Planning your Funeral"
• We continue to investigate how to better serve all of the facilities within our canonical boundaries to distribute Eucharist to hospitals, nursing homes, the homebound, etc.
• We are planning to offer an evangelization program in Fall 2026.

April 8, 2026 - 6:00 PM

• A new Pillar member was added from St. Leo's
• Grief and Loss Ministry - training session for grief supporters will be on April 18 to train those who will plan funerals, do outreach to families afterwards
• Family Service Day scheduled for Saturday, May 30
• Subgroup compiled list of all six parishes in our Family indicating outreach ministries to homebound, nursing homes and contact people. Deacon Bob Warner will meet with this subgroup in the future
• Evangelization Update - 12 individuals received rites of initiation and sacraments at the Easter Vigil.  There are already 12 candidates for this upcoming year.  Deacon John Coughlin is recruiting sponsors for them. Ideas for repeating Alpha in the Fall were discussed.

March 11, 2026 - 6:00 PM

• Volunteers enlisted for Bread of Life Catholic Community's St. Joseph’s Table, to be hosted by Infant of Prague at 5:30 PM, March 19, 2026
•  Info given out about Infant of Prague’s refurbished bowling alleys - Open Bowling and private party reservations available
• Grief Support Ministry will be holding an orientation for Grief Ministry volunteers from all our parishes at Christ the King on Saturday, April 18 from 9:30 - 11:30 AM
•  Grief Companions and Wake & Funeral Companions will be trained and then available to help at any parish
• All parishes in our Family continue to host Hospitality Sundays regularly
• A Family Day of Service is planned to help Our Lady of Hope parish and the St. Vincent de Paul dining room - after Easter
• Subgroup formed to formalize procedures for Home Visits and distribution of Eucharist to homebound and those in senior living centers
• new Care & Wellness Ministry forming to investigate how to provide support for those with health needs
• Evangelization goal for 2026: generate ideas on how to support those who come into the Church through OCIA - what could be the next steps?

March 11, 2026

What’s Happening at Mass?

• Discussed the possibility of a teaching mass- once a month-at each church, with the theme being one chapter from our book study. A handout will provide key points. And possibly copies of the book available at the parishes.

Triduum

• Discussed the Triduum (April 2-4) as one continuous liturgy, and the idea of multi-parish liturgies to involve members from all parishes.
• Maintenance of sacred silence- possibly posters reminding the congregation, friendly reminders at the end of the service, notice in the bulletin, have hospitality representatives remind the people as they enter church, messages on screens for St. Leo’s & St. Ben’s
• Easter Vigil at St. Benedict’s - Fr. David agreed there will be 4 readings #1,2,3,5,

New Business

• Confirmation – April 23 at SSPP,  call for music ministries from all parishes to participate
• Pentecost Vigil - May 23, Possible option for 4 readings-further discussion needed
• This year has been declared as the Year of St. Francis- discussed ways to recognize St. Francis
• Funeral Booklet- there is a meeting at CTK April 18 for In Reach / Outreach group concerning the funerals. The booklet itself is awaiting Fr. David’s approval.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6:30 P.M.

• With absentees, decided to postpone selecting the new leader of the Spiritual Life Pillar.
• Book Club:  Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley, 6:30 P.M., Wednesdays:  May 20, 27, June 3 and 10 at Christ the King Church.  Kathy reserved the dates.
• The books will be ordered: $9.62 each.  Team member volunteered to contribute to the cost, allowing us to only ask for $5 to be payable when the book is received at a session.  Will suggest “a $5 donation for the book would be appreciated, payable the first night”.  Suggested, not required, as we do not want to exclude anyone from attending because of cost.
• The following pages for each session was suggested:

  May 20: Page   1 – 63   

  May 27: Page   63-93

  June 3: Page   93-140

  June 10 Page 140-195

• Assigned who will send info. to be in all our Family Church Bulletins and ask that it be announced at Masses, and send an email to previous book club participants. 
• Assigned/Signed up for who will: prepare a flyer and bookmark, bring water, bring Candy, bring the sign-in sheet, markers and paper for name tags.
• We will arrive at the book club session for set-up at 6 p.m. on Wed., May 20, for the 6:30 p.m. start.  

Monday, March 16, 2026, 6:30 P.M.

• We will focus on Consecration to the Sacred Heart:  Book club using Fr. Michael Gaitley’s Consoling the Heart of Jesus, at Christ the King Church:  Wednesdays, May 20, May 27, June 3 and June 10, pending Fr. David’s approval and confirmation of room reservations (Kathy will inquire about reservations).  Rick will get pricing info. for the book.
• Marian Retreat and Lewiston Fatima Shrine visit:  October 2026
• This is Deacon Bill’s final meeting.  Leader will be selected at our next meeting.

February 4, 2026, 6:30 P.M.

• Positive reviews of The Chosen.
• Deacon Bill presented Goals and Strategies:

2026 – Increase opportunities for spiritual growth in our Family.  Offer three or four substantial events every year.  Also, Consecration of our Nation to the Sacred Heart per the USCCB recommendation for the 250th Anniversary of U.S.A.  

2027 – Do more book clubs and bible studies. Suggestion to focus on Peace as a family.   

2028 –  Broaden the Spiritual and Devotional Life of our Family,  Devotions:  The Jesus Prayer, Lectio Divina.  Encourage asking for blessings and spiritual guidance from clergy.

• We will plan to go to Fatima Shrine possibly Fri., May 1, Sun., May 3rd or Sun., May 17th.
• For June: Consecration to the Sacred Heart ideas were a book club, a procession and/or Mass for Veterans.  Prayer Card for Consecration to Sacred Heart was also discussed.  A special family event is possible.  Juliet will check on books - Fr. Michael Gaitley’s Consoling the Heart of Jesus.  

Still to Come.