The Mission of Holy Spirit Parish

MISSION STATEMENT

Holy Spirit Church

Holy Spirit Parish initiates believers into Christ's life by teaching Christ's saving doctrine, by its sacramental life, by practicing the charity of the Lord in good works and love, and by promoting social justice. Furthermore, the parish makes every effort to bring the gospel to those who do not believe or have ceased to practice the Catholic faith.

REFLECTION UPON OUR MISSION

The mission of this parish is one and the same with that of the universal family of faith established by Jesus Christ. The Church has but one mission: to proclaim the Good News that the Father has reconciled all men to Himself in Jesus. There are three important dynamics to this mission to spread the Gospel: to teach Christ’s saving doctrine; to prepare our people and to sustain them for a full participation in the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church; and to practice the charity of the Lord in good works and brotherly love [cf. CCC 2179]. By God’s grace, this is accomplished through sound preaching and formational instruction programs; through well planned liturgies and active faith; and through a willingness as individuals and as groups to utilize our God-given gifts and goods for others.

Despite definite boundaries, today, it must be admitted that people in the area attend the Church which seems to best suit them. There are several other Catholic churches in the immediate area and so our numbers remain small. However, our faith is strong, our hearts are loving, and our hands are ready for service.

Within the life of every Catholic Parish there comes a time when it achieves maturity. Out of the richness of our past, with its joys and sorrows, we must step forward into a new age (Acts 2:42,47b). This process brings with it the duty and privilege to share with others the richness of its visions. "For without a vision the people will perish" (Hos. 4:6). Guided by our vision, we, a pilgrim people on the way to the fullness of the risen life, must witness to Christ here in our everyday lives and here in Prince George's County.

Nurtured by the Spirit, we gather together in celebration so that we may know Christ, and in knowing Him we may bring life to the world we touch. Our faith must be a living faith. It is the driving force of our whole life as "Church".

We can only celebrate that which we know and understand, and to do this we must be educated in our faith. Through our continued education, we must learn who we are and what we are to become in God's plan. In our outreach (evangelization) we are to be the eyes, hands, feet, and heart of Jesus, loving the world. Ours is a shared responsibility of discipleship in that all parishioners share the responsibility of parish life, support, and renewal.

Finally, our union in prayer and service reflects the Spirit that unites us. Because we share that Spirit through baptism, we are the BODY OF CHRIST, a temple to the glory of God. "You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is fitted together and takes shape as a holy temple in the Lord; in him you are being built into this temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20-22).

WEEKLY PARISH SUPPORT

As an expression of our stewardship and obligation to support the Church, we invite each person or every family in the parish to make a confidential pledge of a weekly sacrificial gift. This weekly offering to the Lord is a tangible challenge to our discipleship. It is a sacrifice which says, "Thank you, Lord," for the many blessings you have bestowed. We give back to God a share of what our Father in heaven has generously given to us. Usually brought up with the Eucharistic gifts at Sunday Mass, it is a sign of our self-donation and personal surrender. Just as the bread and wine shall become the living presence of our Lord, body and soul, humanity and divinity, so too are we asking for ourselves to be transformed into more perfect likenesses of Christ.

Practically speaking, the amount given will vary from person to person. We realize that an amount given by one might be an impossible sum for another. But, remember the widow’s mite in the Gospel, it was more significant to the Lord than a larger sum from others because she gave of her substance. Note Deuteronomy 14 and Malachi 3. Some tithe 5% of their income to the parish and another 5% to other charitable causes, like the Cardinal’s Appeal, Red Cross, foreign missions, and various diocesan (second) collections.

When new parishioners register they are asked to take envelopes. The parish can budget ahead, knowing that a certain income will be coming in. We respect the feelings of parishioners who would feel anxious about obliging themselves to a definite figure. A statement is available at the end of the year summarizing your giving. It can be used for tax purposes. Each year, parishioners are asked to consider renewing or revising their commitment. The support of one's parish is a Christian work and a fulfillment of a precept of the Church.

"Stop worrying, then, over questions like, What are we to eat, or what are we to drink, or what are we to wear? The unbelievers are always running after these things. Your heavenly Father knows all that you need. Seek first his kingship over you, his way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides" (Matthew 6:31-33).

DECREE

We hereby decree the canonical erection of a new Parish, and by virtue of this Decree, erect, and declare erected, a new Parish which shall belong to the category of "paroeciae amovibiles," and the Pastor of which shall be a "parochus amovibilis." This parish shall be known as Holy Spirit Parish. The prospective offerings of the faithful will constitute the support of the parish.

The boundary lines of Holy Spirit Parish effective as of noon on May 28, 1966, are as follows:

Beginning at the intersection of Ritchie Road and Walker Mill Road; north on Ritchie Road to Central Avenue; East on Central Avenue to the Capital Beltway; South on the Captal Beltway to the Ritchie-Marlboro Road to White House Road; East on White House Road to the dirt road running south to Brown Road; thence along this dirt road to Brown Road; West on Brown Road to Ritchie Road (Route 221); South on Ritchie Road to Ritchie Road to Westphalia Road, Southwest on Westphalia Road to Marlboro Road; West on Marlboro Road to Forestville-Ritchie Road; North on the Forestville-Ritchie Road to Marbury Drive; Northwest on Marbury Drive and its extension to Walker Mill Road; Northeast on Walker Mill Road to Ritchie Road, the point of beginning.

Given at Washington, D.C. from the Chancery on the sixteenth day of May in the year of Our Lord 1966.

sighned
Patrick A. O'Boyle
Archbishop of Washington, D.C.

SEAL

signed
John B. Roeder
Chancellor