The Parish Mission Statement: A Local Lens for a Global Blueprint
As we celebrate World Mission Sunday this year, it is a fitting moment to reflect on a tool found in nearly every parish bulletin, yet often overlooked: the Parish Mission Statement.
A parish mission statement is more than just a piece of administrative text or a collection of pious buzzwords. It is a localized translation of the Gospel. It takes the sweeping, universal mandates of Christ and focuses them like a magnifying glass onto a specific geographic area and a unique demographic of people.
If the Universal Church, for example, calls us to evangelize, a parish mission statement might express this as “welcoming all newcomers with open hearts and sharing the joy of the Gospel in our workplaces.”
When we look through the lens of the mission statement, we realize that we do not need to travel to the other side of the world to be “missionaries.” The mission territory begins the moment we step outside the church doors; it is wherever we find ourselves.
When a parish actively lives out its mission statement, it sends ripples throughout the entire global Body of Christ. This is because the Universal Church, like a physical body that depends on the health of its individual cells, depends on the vitality of its parishes. Secondly, making good use of your “parish mission statement” could be your own way of participating in the universal mission of the Church.
Called, Gifted, Formed, and Sent: How Ste. Bernadette Parish Unites and Serves Elliot Lake:
Elliot Lake, according to Statistics Canada 2021 Census, has a population of 11, 372.
In the heart of Elliot Lake, Paroisse Ste. Bernadette Parish stands as a powerful beacon of faith, unity, and community action. As the city’s sole Catholic parish, its very existence is a testament to harmony. Born from the historic merger of the English-speaking Our Lady of Fatima Parish and the French-speaking Paroisse Sainte-Marie, Ste. Bernadette beautifully symbolizes the unity and solidarity of the local community, the Catholic Church, and the Holy Spirit.
But what truly brings this parish to life is not just its history—it is how the congregation actively embodies its identity every single day.
A Mission Statement in Action:
Many organizations treat a mission statement as mere words on a page. Paroisse Ste. Bernadette, however, has been truly exemplary in turning its creed into a living blueprint for service. The parish grounds everything it does in one powerful declaration: “We are a people who are called, gifted, formed and sent to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.”
This mission statement is not passive; it is a profound multi-step journey of faith that drives the parish’s diverse groups and ministries forward.
Through a dedicated network of internal groups—including the Knights of Columbus, the Ladies Auxiliary, the Sacramental Preparation Team, and the Liturgy Committee—the parish consistently answers the call to be “sent.” Their collective mission statement acts as a compass, guiding their outreach to every corner of Elliot Lake:
1. Nurturing Youth: Ministries actively reach out to the students of Elliot Lake’s three (3) Catholic schools, bridging the gap between faith education and daily life.
2. Comforting the Vulnerable: Parish groups bring compassion and presence to the patients and residents at the local Catholic hospital and manor and two other homes.
3. Alleviating Poverty: Through countless volunteer hours and dedicated fundraising, the parish provides vital support to the Local Food Bank and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
4. Supporting Local Athletes: The parish, under the initiative of the Knights of Columbus and supported by the Ladies Auxiliary and many volunteering parishioners, proudly champions inclusivity by raising funds through an annual “yard sale” for the Special Olympians of Elliot Lake.
It is at Paroisse Ste Bernadette Parish that I have come to realize that when we embrace our local mission statement, we cease to be mere spectators in a localized club. We become active citizens of the Kingdom of God, contributing our unique, local notes to the grand, universal symphony of faith. By loving our local community deeply and serving it faithfully, we fulfill our ultimate calling to be light to the entire world.
By woven-in dedication to being “faithful disciples,” Paroisse Ste. Bernadette Parish proves that a “mission statement” is at its best when it inspires a community to love, heal, and serve together.
Hence, when next you read your parish mission statement, challenge yourself to see the global heartbeat behind the local words.
May the Holy Spirit help us to see the universal mission of the church through the lens of our parish mission statement. Amen!
Pastor, Paroisse Ste Bernadette Parish, Elliot Lake, Ontario
