So much to do! So little time! According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Americans are running faster, feeling less connected to each other, and wearing themselves out. Fifty years ago, we were supported by extended families and a Christian culture. That is no longer the case. Families move all over the globe. Our culture is no longer Christian. Things of the Spirit get lost. What are we to do about it? In love, how can the Church put the message of the gospel into the words of the harried people of 2004? How can we help?

The Generations of Faith project has arisen as a response to those needs. In the Cleveland diocese, sixty-three parishes will begin this new model of faith formation for the fall of 2004. Sacred Heart is one of those parishes. Why? A parish should be a place to slow down, to connect families and friends, and to find refreshment and strength in the Lord. That is our goal. Our entire staff has been working shoulder-to-shoulder with the development team to build lifelong formation for all of our parishioners in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

The season will kick off with the "Lighten Up" mission in October and will move into full swing in November. In preparation for the beginning of the Church year in Advent, we will open wide the doors to proclaim our theme for 2004-2005, "Come to the Carpenter Shop!"

How will this work? Once a month, all generations will come together at the same time to pray, learn our faith, share a meal, sing and celebrate in monthly "faith festivals" that prepare for an event in Church life. You will have your pick of Wednesday evening, Saturday morning or Saturday evening. Choose what’s best for your household. Bring everybody. Grandpas and grandmas, preschoolers and high schoolers, moms and dads — all ages will learn at the same time. The three-hour sessions begin with an opening assembly and a common meal, next break out into age-group sessions and then reunite to share what each has learned — a rich banquet of faith formation for all. Each household in the parish will receive materials to take home to keep the faith growing throughout the next month.

How can you help? To make our monthly faith festivals as rich as possible, we will need the whole parish to take a part. Everyone is invited to throw in their talents — school parents, young adults, maiden aunts, high school kids, grandparents and more and more. There is a place for everybody. We will need woodworkers, painters, actors, musicians, teachers, cake bakers, table setters, sound people, seamstresses, recording artists — whatever your talents, bring them to the carpenter shop and spread them out on the table. This is a big undertaking and we can use all the help we can get! But because you all have such busy lives, don’t volunteer for all eight monthly faith festivals — just pick one or two. The rest of the time, come and enjoy what others bring into the carpenter shop. As we spread the work with many hands to the tools, the masterpiece will take shape. We will trust the Holy Spirit to gloriously build our faith and our parish together.

More information on the Generations of Faith project will unfold throughout the summer. This is an exciting time for our parish. Let us pray for each other and be open to the beautiful things that God can do among us.

Life may not slow down. Our culture may not grow more Christian. But we at Sacred Heart will find a time and a place to grow in strength and solidarity. We need each other — all generations together. Storm the heavens! Beseech the saints! Holy Spirit make it so!

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