BISHOP MARK O’CONNELL ON THE REASON FOR THIS PROJECT

I have done this before in other places. When I was a pastor, I did it with parishioners.
It’s important for people to hear lay people preaching when they can.
In the church, lay people don’t preach at Mass.
Sometimes they can talk at other times in the Mass, but they don’t give the Homily.
That’s the gift of the Priest and the Deacon. 
But that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t be preaching. They should be.

So, to empower our lay people to give a little reflection from their faith is important.
They sometimes come up with things I never would have thought of, so it’s important
for me spiritually, too.
I love to create moments where people beyond the priests and deacons are preaching.

The Stations of the Cross is such an important element for our Lenten observance. I
always like to hear new reflections on them because sometimes they can get routine.
I bet there are ideas that come through this listening that will spark something new
within the people who listen.