The mission of the Catholic church is to continue the work of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the Gospel to all people, fostering a community of faith, hope, and love, and serving the needs of others,
especially the poor and marginalized.

A Message from Bishop Edward Scharfenberger

SHARING IDEAS

There are many ways to serve God in our world today. Let us know what you are doing and we will share here. Send pictures, video, and information to remadeformission@rcda.org
 and let us know how you serve.
Your sharing may help another parish that is looking for ideas.

CLICK HERE TO SEE IDEAS SHARED SO FAR

We are in this together, One Body in Christ!
Thank you for all that you do! 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Remade for Mission?

It calls us to bring the Gospel to all, serve the needy, and build communities of faith and service. Each parish, no matter its size or history, plays a role in Christ's command to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). The goal of Remade for Mission is not just survival, but a renewed, unified Church that brings Christ's love to the world and supports its members and neighbors alike. As Pope Francis reminded us, we are called to be "a Church which goes forth," rooted in Christ, confident in hope, and alive in the Spirit.

What will happen this summer?

The summer 2025 will be a time for each of us to enter into prayer, opening our hearts and minds for self-reflection.  How are we currently serving the Mission?  Are we in the best position to do so or are we in need of change?  The mission support team, the Office of Evangelization and Strategic Planning, and parish leadership will focus on gathering and sharing for each of us to see where we are currently.  It will include looking at current outreach ministries, notitiae information, 5-yr Parish Data/Financial statements, creating sub-committee groups, etc. so that together we can all have the full picture of the parish.  The Diocesan Leadership Team will continue their current work meeting with individual vulnerable parishes that have been struggling in meeting their current obligations.  Larger Vicariate Meetings will be scheduled throughout September leading to our larger synodal sessions set to begin in October. 

Is financial sustainability compatible with mission?

Yes. Good stewardship - managing resources wisely - is part of our faith (Luke 14:28). Prayerful planning seeks to ensure every parish, or network of parishes, can be vibrant, sustainable, and able to serve for generations to come. Stewardship is a Gospel value. But decisions are always grounded in prayer and mission first. "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33) Money serves the mission, never vice versa.

How can I be involved?

First and foremost, pray, have hope, and share hope. Hope is essential to our faith. Even in uncertainty, Romans assures us: "We know that in all things God works for good for those who love Him" (Romans 8:28).

Think outside the box.

• How can I get to know my neighbors? Yes the people in the pews, but also those living near your church who may not be coming each weekend. Don't wait for them to come to you. Find ways to go to them, introduce yourself, meet business leaders in your community. Build relationships. That is how you learn what needs exist around you.

Listen & Learn

• As you build those relationships, what needs are you seeing, and hearing? Consider how you can help. That's the mission. 

Encourage others in your parish to join you in this.

If you have questions or concerns about Remade for Mission

You can email the Remade for Mission team at remadeformission@rcda.org or you can call the Remade for Mission phone line at (518) 453-6676. Leave your name, number and question and someone will get back to you. 

You can also check the Remade for Mission webpage frequently. It is a resource for all. The Frequently Asked Questions will be updated as new questions come in. You can also find all messaging, words of encouragement, stories from parishes around the diocese sharing their ideas and best practices. Let's learn from each other and help each other.

What ministries should we be focused on in our local parish as we are Remade for Mission?

Each parish is being asked to reassess the needs not only within the church, but more importantly what are the needs of those in our community?  How well do we know what is needed in our area?  Changing demographics, poverty, etc. are constantly changing not only in our world, but within our area.  How can we as a parish better respond to the needs of those around us as Christ has called us to do?  How can we enhance our current efforts or establish new partnerships with those helping already to ease the burden of our neighbors?  This will require a renewed effort from every one of us to reach out, listen and learn what we as the church can become today. 

Ideas will be shared on the Remade for Mission webpage as they come in. If you come up with something, please reach out and share.  

Why are we doing this?

The Church is facing challenges:

• Aging demographics
• Decreased population
• Declining attendance & participation
• Clergy wellness & increasing responsibilities
• Financial challenges - that affect every parish
• Aging facilities

Entering into this throughout our diocese allows us to see the bigger picture, learn from one another, and work together for renewal. As St. Paul reminds us, "If one part suffers, every part suffers; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Are we doing this because of the bankruptcy?

No. The challenges before us existed before the bankruptcy, but the bankruptcy is important for all parishes to consider. It will have an impact. The extent is not yet clear, that will be determined as mediation continues. Financial transparency is key. It helps the lay faithful and parish leaders to clearly see present realities and future prospects. Understanding financial viability is critical to making decisions in the best interest of the parish's future (see Luke 14:28 - "Who among you wishing to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost?").

How does Scripture guide us through these decisions?

In Acts, the whole Church came together for important matters - praying, discussing, and deciding as one. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of the bread and to prayers" (Acts 2:42). We are called to listen to God and each other as the early Church did.