The Essential Elements of Parish Life
Despite the uniqueness and diversity of the parishes within the Diocese of Brooklyn, there are some foundational similarities, which are true for all faith communities, not only in our Diocese, but for the entire Church. These similarities are known as the essential elements of parish life. These essential elements relate to the basic mission of the parish and will become the foundation of the parish’s dialogue and reflection when creating a pastoral plan for the future.
These essential elements exist in every parish in some way. Without them the parish could not be called a Church. These elements are the bedrock of the faith community. As we move into an unknown future, these elements will guide our journey and ensure that whatever the future brings, it will be a future which is true to our Catholic tradition and an expression of the life-giving mission that we hold sacred.
These elements are not static though. Nor are they segmented or separated from one another. They are constantly in a process of development. A faith community is a living organism that can never be pinned down, but for the sake of reflection and exploration, we must find some way to depict it. Therefore, even as we begin to name these elements and reflect on them, it is important to note that none of these elements exist apart from the others. In fact, one important question for all of us is how these elements nourish one another and how they can be brought into greater communion with one another in the life of the parish.
As Parish Pastoral Council members, you are encouraged to learn about these elements, reflect on them in your own experience as a parishioner, and develop strategies and methods to engage the larger community in a reflection around these elements.