Over the past few weeks, our bulletin reflections have focused on a simple but important question: why do we do what we do? We have reflected on the fact that the Church does not exist for herself. The Church exists to evangelize. That is our why. When we remember that, the many things we do as a parish begin to make more sense: our liturgies, our school, faith formation, outreach, councils, staff, volunteers, finances, and even the difficult work of organization and planning. All of these are meant to serve the mission Christ has entrusted to the Church. This week, on the Solemnity of Pentecost, I would like to take that reflection one step further. If our why is evangelization, then how should our parish be organized for mission?

Over the last few weeks, we have been reflecting on the importance of knowing our “why.” Before a parish can wisely decide what to do, or how to do it, we need to remember why we exist in the first place. The Church does not exist simply to maintain buildings, organize schedules, run programs, or preserve what is familiar. These things matter, but they are not the deepest reason for our life together. The Church exists to evangelize. We exist to proclaim Jesus Christ, to lead people to Him, and to help one another live as His disciples.

Last week, we reflected on the importance of knowing our “why.” Before a parish can wisely decide what to do or how to do it, we need to remember why we exist in the first place. The Church does not exist simply to maintain buildings, organize schedules, run programs, or preserve what is familiar. These things matter, but they are not the deepest reason for our life together. The Church exists to evangelize. We exist to proclaim Jesus Christ, to lead people to Him, and to help one another live as His disciples.

Pope Paul VI once wrote that evangelizing is the Church’s “deepest identity” and that “she exists in order to evangelize.” In other words, the Church does not exist for herself, but for the mission Christ has entrusted to her. We see this demonstrated in this Sunday’s readings.