by Joshua Ruoff
The special-needs ministry of the archdiocese, in partnership with the deaf ministry of the archdiocese, will be starting the new year by trying to get to know you better.
We will be conducting a census of sorts to learn who you are, how well you are being served by your parishes and how we can better support your parishes in serving you.
We don’t yet have a timeline of when this census will be “live” nor do we have all the details of what it will collect. We wanted to take the opportunity of the new year, however, to make you aware that it is coming and to explain to you why it is so important.
In Chapter 10, Verse 14 of the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us a small, simple — yet powerful — definition of what it means to be a good shepherd: “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”
The ministries of the archdiocese and their leaders exist to assist the archbishop, our shepherd, in serving you. To allow us to serve you the best we can, we need to get to know you better.
That is why it is so important that you participate in our upcoming census. You won’t simply be a number on a sheet. Although numbers help us to determine how to best allocate our resources, this census will allow us to build more effective and personalized ministries rather than a one-size- fits-all approach.
Another reason to participate in this census is to tear down walls and fight against anonymity and loneliness. Far too often people with disabilities, mental health challenges and other special needs go unnoticed. This can especially happen in our larger parishes.
By participating in our census, we hope to be able to build on your relationship with your parish community and with Christ. The Good Shepherd knows you and wants you to know him.
So, stay alert for more information in the future. If you know someone who would or already does benefit by being served through either the deaf ministry or the special-needs ministry of the archdiocese, make sure they stay alert as well.
Reach out to us if you want to be a part of our newsletters and other ministry updates.
