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© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Plan Today
In continuity with our history
Pope Francis – pastoral initiatives
Accompaniment In the life of Jesus
In the teaching of Pope Francis
2 types of accompaniment
How this changes your daily life
The method for accompanying others
Church history
JC Today
The
Founding
Period
325 1517
The
Creed
Under Constantine
The Reformation
Carolingian reforms
Lateran Councils
Conscience
Jesus:
Encounter
People of mercy
Forming their
consciences
Christians
accompanying
each other
Baptism with no formation
Less personal faith
More “membership”
Rapid growth in ever-larger parishes
Obedience to law
Minimum “obligations” – threat of Hell
Trent
1917 Code of Law
Mid-century biblical
& liturgical renewal
Vatican II
Church history
JC Today
The
Founding
Period
325 1517
The
Creed
Under Constantine
The Reformation
Carolingian reforms
Lateran Councils
Conscience
Jesus:
Encounter
People of mercy
Forming their
consciences
Christians
accompanying
each other
Baptism with no formation
Less personal faith
More “membership”
Rapid growth in ever-larger parishes
Obedience to law
Minimum “obligations” – threat of Hell
Trent
1917 Code of Law
Mid-century biblical
& liturgical renewal
Vatican II
By 1546, no reconciliation was possible. Trent sought to set “boundary stones”
and to reform abuses among the clergy.
Trent’s style was to expose & condemn. It had to be.
This continued into Vatican I & up to Vatican II.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pope Francis’ pastoral ideas…
…are a continuation of Vatican II
which was in continuity with Scripture, the Apostolic Church,
& previous councils & popes
while being open to the development of doctrine Aggiornamento – brought up to date! Ressourcement – from the original sources!
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Core documents
Evangelii Gaudium The Joy of the Gospel
Misericordiae Vultus The Face of Mercy
Laudato Si On the Care of our Common Home
Amoris Laetitia The Joy of Love
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Initiatives
Encounter Christ anew
A people & a church of mercy
Discern the voice of God within the conscience
Pastoral strategy : accompaniment
Pope Francis is inviting us to undertake certain
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Other initiatives
Enthused missionary discipleship
A poor church for the poor
Care for our common home
The call to the clergy and lay leaders to get enthused, write good homilies
and get out with their sheep
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Initiatives
Encounter Christ anew
A people & a church of mercy
Learn to discern the voice of God within the conscience
Pastoral strategy : accompaniment
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
I invite all Christians…
…to “a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ” (JoG #3).
No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her,
“no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Turn your heart
The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk;
whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is there already, waiting for us with open arms.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us;
we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. (JoG#3)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Kerygma (our core message)
God loves you and seeks you out
God summons you to love
Jesus teaches us that nothing can separate us from his love And this is the really Good News
The Cross
Now in the Spirit, Jesus walks with you every day
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Kerygma (our core message)
God loves you and seeks you out
God summons you to love
Jesus teaches us that nothing can separate us from his love And this is the really Good News
The Cross
Now in the Spirit, Jesus walks with you every day
Luke 4: the Spirit of the Lord is upon
me…to announce a year of favor
Romans 10: How are they to believe if the word is not preached
to them?
Matthew 3: John came preaching…
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Turn your heart
Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived;
in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you.
I need you. Save me once again, Lord.
Take me once more into your redeeming embrace”.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Initiatives
Encounter Christ anew
A people & a church of mercy
Learn to discern the voice of God within the conscience
Pastoral strategy : accompaniment
What is mercy?
It is a posture toward those who struggle or are in need A posture of compassion & aide
We are merciful because God has so much mercy on us
The liturgy
For this reason, in the Mass, we pray for mercy frequently Penitential rite
The Gloria
Often in the Collect
The Preface & Eucharistic prayers
Lamb of God
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Mercy
Not a theology
Not found in canon law or the moral code of the Church
Not in the 10 Commandments
Mercy is implanted within us by God
Essential for Accompaniment
Matthew
Jesus called Matthew
Jesus looked on that man with mercy #8 in The Face of Mercy
Pope Francis’ motto: Miserando atque Eligendo I hold nothing against you and I choose you
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pope Francis
The Church’s first duty is not to hand down condemnations or anathemas.
It’s not all about law and rubrics….& Canon Law.
It is to proclaim God’s mercy in Jesus’ name
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Initiatives
Encounter Christ anew
A people & a church of mercy
Discern the voice of God within the conscience
Pastoral strategy : accompaniment
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The Church in Modern World #16 Our Catechism #1776
Deep within our conscience we discover a law which we have not laid upon ourselves but which we must obey.
Its voice, ever calling us to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in our hearts at the right moment....
For we have in our heart a law inscribed by God....
Our conscience is our most secret core and our sanctuary. There we are alone with God whose voice echoes in our depths
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Conscience
Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) 37: We have found it hard to allow the
consciences of the faithful to guide them.
The key: We in the Church are called to help form
consciences,
not replace them with our rules.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Overly church-law-centered
We form our conscience only to be in accord with church teaching We may never reach any other conclusion
No matter what the circumstances of our lives
Humans in relationship to law
Rigidity – turning people away
We become “remote controlled” by the church (Pope Francis’ term)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Overly self-centered
Where we try to justify any decision
“Anything goes…”
Without adequate prayer and discernment
Without regard for church law, custom, and practice
Lax – people lose their bearing
Not within our tradition as Catholics
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Balanced Christ-centered
Discernment
We reach a thoughtful decision
In a prayerful and serious way
Confession may be part of the process
The help of an Accompanist We listen for the voice of Christ
The restless heart seeking God
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Catechism #1785
In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path, we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into
practice.
We must also examine our conscience before the Lord's Cross.
We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit,
aided by the witness or advice of others
and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Essential for Accompaniment
A fundamental orientation toward Jesus
A heart full of mercy
Ability to discern the voice of God in the conscience
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Initiatives
Encounter Christ anew
A people & a church of mercy
Learn to discern the voice of God within the conscience
Pastoral strategy : accompaniment
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Strategy
The Holy Father sees accompaniment
As the key strategy
In order to achieve all the other pastoral goals
This includes the care of the environment and the poor
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
God is still speaking
We begin with this tremendous and amazing reality
God speaks through Scripture & Liturgy
And also: Nature & beauty, music & art
The ministry of the Church
The embrace of a loved one
The quiet of our hearts
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
God is still speaking
But sometimes we need help
to discern God’s voice.
That’s where an accompanist steps in.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
An accompanist
Helps others hear the voice of God as it echoes in the depths of his or her conscience
With reverence for how God may be leading this person Fully aware of the mysterious ways of God
Such accompaniment happens at “God’s speed” (not at our own demanding pace)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
To clarify
We walk with each other day in and day out Families, friends, co-workers, neighbors
But merely “hanging out together”
Or meeting for happy hour
Or even going out for lunch
Isn’t necessarily Christian accompaniment
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
To clarify
What makes it into Christian accompaniment (JoG 170)
Is when we transform our daily chatter
Into an intentional desire to lead others to know Jesus & to love the church
Key word: intentional We intend to lead others to know Jesus
& love the church
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
How do we lead others to Jesus?
When you lead them… to acts of love rather than selfishness
to forgiveness rather than acting on a grudge
to show mercy
to find a home in the parish
to healing when they are wounded
to seeing when they are blind
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Just to be clear
Spiritual direction is a form of accompaniment
One in which two parties form an agreement to walk together within a structured set of conversations
We aren’t talking here about spiritual direction as such
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Institute for Pastoral Studies
Loyola Chicago
Making it possible for me to do this
Excellent on-line programs MA in Pastoral Studies
MA in Christian Spirituality
Certificate in Pastoral Ministry North England specific
Rome program – two excellent weeks in June
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Plan Today
Continuity with our history as the Church
Pope Francis – pastoral initiatives
Accompaniment In the life of Jesus
In the teaching of Pope Francis
2 types of accompaniment
How this changes your daily life
The method for accompanying others
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The Joy of the Gospel
#s 161-172
Everyone must learn about accompaniment
We must learn to listen
Each person’s situation before God and their life in grace are mysteries
It all started in
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The Joy of Love
9 chapters
325 articles long
Dealing with Family
Spirituality in marriage
Love in marriage, including sexual loving
Pastoral perspectives from many angles
Chapter 8
And was greatly elaborated in
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Apostolic Exhortation
Used by the Popes to express their thoughts on contemporary issues
No doctrinal and binding character not an “Apostolic Constitution” or a “Motu
proprio”
Like an extended sermon, exhorting the faithful to consider particular points
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Apostolic Exhortation
“I do not recommend a rushed reading of the text” (#7)
The contents are part of the ordinary magisterium of the Church, As such, they call for our assent
Any study should be marked by an open mind
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love #291
[The Church] turns with love
to those who participate in an incomplete manner.
The Church must accompany with attention and care the weakest of her children
who show signs of a wounded and troubled love
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love #291
by restoring in them hope and confidence, like the beacon of a lighthouse in a port
or a torch carried among the people
“…the Church’s task is often like that of a field hospital.”
This is the language of the heart
Not of the lawmaker
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pope Francis’ language
Not juridical
Not canonical
But the language of interiority The call to holiness
His desire to win inner consent
A change of heart
A firm Christian commitment
This is what the church is all about
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The most “interior” of words:
Conscience
Shift from commands to ideals
From ruling to serving
From vertical to horizontal
From hostility to friendship
From threats to invitation
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The most “interior” of words:
A major shift from
Exterior conformity to the law Even while the interior life was in conflict
To a joyful pursuit of holiness
To loving in the best way possible Within our limits
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love
Remarriage (JoL 292)
Constructive elements of love
Even though not up to the ideal
Civil marriage or cohabitation (JoL 293)
Stability and care are present
Deep affection and shared children
Let us enter into dialogue with these
In the hope that they will gradually…(JoL 295)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love (JoL 296-299)
The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone
But to walk with them
Avoid judgements that do not take into account mitigating circumstances
Should not feel excommunicated
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
When people fail
Do we cast them off?
Or work to reinstate them? (JoL 296)
No one can be condemned forever
Not only the divorced & remarried
“But everyone in whatever situation they find themselves” (JoL 297)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The logic of integration
They belong to the Church
Because they belong to Christ …not excommunicated (JoL 299)
What is needed is discernment of how God is speaking in their consciences. (JoL 300)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love (JoL 300)
…direct the pastors of the Church to undertake discernment of each case,
the degree of responsibility is not the same in all cases
and, therefore, the rules may be applied differently
We must accompany each person…
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Situations
2nd union consolidated over time
Tried to save 1st marriage but were abandoned
Enter the 2nd marriage for the kids
Subjectively certain in conscience that the 1st marriage was not valid
Violence, abuse, drugs, addiction
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Many situations…
If we consider the immense variety of concrete situations such as those I have mentioned…
No new set of rules
that would adequately apply to all cases
is possible… #300
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
What is possible (JoL 300)
…is a process of accompaniment and discernment
which guides the faithful
to an awareness of their situation before God.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Church teaching… JoL #292
The Church has a very strong reason for teaching what it does about divorce It is clearly in the teaching of Jesus
It is in continuity with our history
It calls for self-giving, Paschal Mystery love
And yet, a couple could discern that they are meeting these demands, even when a divorce results
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Mitigating circumstances #301
The Church has a solid body of reflection
that helps us understand mitigating circumstances
…we can no longer say, simply, that any person in an irregular situation
is in a state of mortal sin or is deprived of sanctifying grace.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Mitigating circumstances #302
[1] ignorance, [2] inadvertence, [3] duress, [4] fear, [5] habit, [6] inordinate attachments and other [7] psychological or [8] social factors. CCC 1735
[9] affective immaturity, [10] force of acquired habit, [11] conditions of anxiety or other psychological or social factors
that lessen or even extenuate moral culpability. CCC 2352
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Conscience #303
A person can come to see that a particular decision is in line with “what God himself is asking
amid the concrete complexity of one’s limits, while yet not fully the objective ideal.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Discernment JoL #305
"Discernment must help to find possible ways of responding to God and growing in the midst of limits,"
Not black and white
Don’t close off the way of grace
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Don’t throw stones #305
For this reason, no pastor should ever believe that it is enough to simply apply a moral law to people in irregular situations without regard to conscience,
as though throwing stones at people’s lives.
“This shows the closed heart of one hiding behind Church teachings.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love #305
Because of mitigating factors,
it is possible that in an objective situation of sin
a person may not be subjectively guilty;
this person can be living in God’s grace,
can love and can also grow in the life of grace and charity,
while receiving the Church’s help to this end. 351
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Footnote 351
In certain cases, this can include the help of the sacraments.
Hence, “I want to remind priests that the confessional must not be a torture chamber, but rather an encounter with the Lord’s mercy” JoG 44
I would also point out that the Eucharist “is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak” JoG 47.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Canon 915
Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared,
and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin,
are not to be admitted to holy communion.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Canon 912
If the situation is one in which mortal sin is not a factor…
Any baptized person who is not forbidden by law
may and must be admitted to holy communion.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pope Francis JoL 308
“I understand those who prefer a more rigorous pastoral care which leaves no room for confusion.
But I sincerely believe that Jesus wants a Church
attentive to the goodness which the Holy Spirit sows
in the midst of human weakness,
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Rhetorical style
Missing in Pope Francis’ language: Word of alienation
Exclusion
Enmity
Threat or intimidation
Surveillance and punishment
No anathemas In use in the church from Nicaea to Vatican I
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Rhetorical style
At Trent, 100% of the “canons” began with the words: If anyone dares to believe…
And ended with Let him be
Cursed
Banned
Excommunicated
Damned
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Rhetorical style
Pope Francis’ style is Poetic
Exhortatory
Affirming of small steps
Compassionate about weakness
Resembling the language of the Fathers
And of Paul…
But not of Trent and the years onward
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Rhetorical style
Francis wants to reach hearts and souls
He wants to influence them
Very much like the Fathers of the Church
This began at Vatican II
And Pope Francis is continuing it now
He is raising up the ideal of Catholic life
Knowing not everyone is able to live it
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Rhetorical style
So he isn’t laying out laws to follow
But ideals to be lived up to Gradually
As one is able
Given one’s limits
And the circumstances of one’s life
Reality is more important than ideas
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
His words
Horizontal words Compassion words
Friendship words
Humility words We don’t know everything
Shift from control words to service words Pastors of souls are to…
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Persuasion
Like Paul
I could command you But that comes from “on high”
And I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love, forgiveness, and mercy
“I invite you…” (JoG 3)
Like Jesus
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Like the Council…
No new laws or doctrines
But a more forward application
Of mitigating circumstances in people’s lives
Rather like St John XXIII
But very much unlike St. John Paul II
And Benedict XVI
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Joy of Love #308
[The Church is like] a Mother who,
while clearly expressing her objective teaching,
‘always does what good she can,
even if her shoes get soiled
by the mud of the street’”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
No misunderstanding
We have our ideals & rules
And they stand as they are (JoL 307)
…without detracting from [them]
there is a need to accompany with mercy and patience
embracing gradualness (JoL 308)
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
For example, family planning
222. We want to encourage the couple to be generous in accepting the gift of children.
In this regard, “…family planning fittingly takes place as the result of a consensual dialogue between the spouses,
respect for times,
and consideration of the dignity of the partner.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Family planning -- #222
The couple must form their consciences
The pastoral leader accompanies the couple on this journey,
helping them to reach decisions in accord with their consciences.
“The parents themselves and no one else should ultimately make this judgment in the sight of God.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Church teaching…
The Church has a very strong reason for teaching what it does about contraception Openness to new life
Generosity of spirit
Shared responsibility for getting pregnant
But a couple may discern in good conscience that they meet these norms “on the whole” even if not in each individual act of intercourse.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Plan Today
Continuity with our history as the Church
Pope Francis – pastoral initiatives
Accompaniment In the life of Jesus
In the teaching of Pope Francis
2 types of accompaniment
How this changes your daily life
The method for accompanying others
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Jesus, the Chief Accompanist
The calling of the disciples “come with me”
Matthew, from his customs table
It was mutual – they accompanied each other
Together they clarified their day-by-day mission
They intended to help each other grow closer to God
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Jesus, the Chief Accompanist
The road to Caesarea Philippi They walked and talked
25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee
The most personal and pithy question in the New Testament: Who do people say that I am?
And you, who do you say I am?
Accompanying each other
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Philemon
Onesimus
Ephesus
Paul in prison
Sends a letter
I could force you but I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love By the way, have a guest room ready…
Colossae
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Plan Today
Continuity with our history as the Church
Pope Francis – pastoral initiatives
Accompaniment In the life of Jesus
In the teaching of Pope Francis
Types of accompaniment
How this changes your daily life
The method for accompanying others
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Accompaniment
The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers.
How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. Accompaniment in Faith Formation
The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Personal Accompaniment
The help that family members or friends intend to give each other. The mutual help that spouses or good friends
give each other.
Accidental, short-term accompaniment.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
2 other ways we accompany
From On Care for our Common Home We accompany the nature environment
Befriend it and keep it in your heart
From the Joy of the Gospel We accompany the poor and vulnerable
We find ways to partner with them and befriend them
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Plan Today
Continuity with our history as the Church
Pope Francis – pastoral initiatives
Accompaniment In the life of Jesus
In the teaching of Pope Francis
2 types of accompaniment
How this changes your daily life
The method for accompanying others
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Accompaniment
The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers.
How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. Accompaniment in Faith Formation
The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Attitude really matters
We tend to resent people
Or give up on them For being absent
Or breaking the rules
We tend to label people “They’re unchurched”
“They don’t support the parish”
We are often personally offended
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Attitude really matters
A journey of their own God is acting in their lives
A loving touch from you may be all that is needed to open that up
A sense of reverence for the mystery
New attitude: I am Jesus to them
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Attitude really matters
The Church will have to initiate everyone – priests, religious and laity – into this “art of accompaniment” JoG 169
which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other
Our attitude: Love but do not condemn Pray that you will be filled with love
Be like the father of the prodigal son
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Your language
Don’t become the “elder brother”
How you speak to those Living outside our rules
Or beneath our norms
Instead of judging or condemning Compassion, mercy, and hope
Your words: loving and kind
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
For many (most?) of you
A welcome relief
You no longer have to “throw the book” at people who have suffered
Freely offer them love and your open heart
Welcome them in Jesus’ name
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Reconciliation
Into the confessional
People trust they will be heard and loved
An environment of welcome
Become known as a compassionate confessor
Rather than a strict judge of others’ sins
For parish priests
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The crowds
How you address the parish in your homilies
How you address crowds of “flower people” Christmas, Easter,
Funerals, Weddings
Offer God’s unconditional love to them
For parish priests
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
People in irregular situations See them anew
God is acting in their lives
They may not hear their own conscience
Or know they are forgiven
Gradually moving toward God
Honor the mystery in that But do not judge
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Don’t jump to conclusions
Don’t assume the 2nd marriage is adultery It very well may not be
Even without an annulment
Instead, listen to the whole story
hope & comfort
discern the voice of God in their conscience guide them to the tribunal if possible
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Black or white thinking
You may begin to see that it’s not inside or outside the church
with or not with God
Catholic or non-Catholic
We are all God’s children The poor aren’t the “Catholic poor”
The environment isn’t “where Catholics live”
When is someone “part of the church”?
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
In sum
The attitudes, words, and actions
Of the parish priest and pastoral team
Make all the difference in the world.
You have all the permission you need to be merciful and compassionate
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Accompaniment
The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers.
How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. Accompaniment in Faith Formation
The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Parish tools for accompaniment
How do folks encounter Christ? Parish based retreats
Faith sharing at every meeting
Free faith sharing guides for each week
Baptism prep Also, post-baptism up to the first sacraments
Confirmation prep Accompanying parents to play their role
www.ArtofAccompaniment.com
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Accompaniment
Faith formation Coaching young parents
Helping them become the primary teachers
Don’t replace them with a program
But accompany them
Offer them assurance and affirmation
www.ArtofAccompaniment.com
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Accompaniment
Growing Up Catholic First Reconciliation
First Eucharist
Coach parents to play THE major role Accompaniment for parents
Commonwealth Edition Coach young parents
www.ArtofAccompaniment.com
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Accompaniment
Pastoral care Reaching out well beyond our borders
The needs of ecumenical households
Marriage prep A relationship that doesn’t end at the
wedding
Requires that we listen to them carefully
Help them discern God’s voice
www.ArtofAccompaniment.com
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Pastoral Accompaniment
The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers.
How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. Accompaniment in Faith Formation
The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The “voice” of the parish
Sit down with a team
Talk through the elements of parish life What is your front door like?
Who meets a guest or visitor?
Who answers the phone or email?
How accessible are you and your team?
Is your parish warm and inviting?
Or cold and scary?
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The “voice” of the parish
Sit down with a team
Talk through the elements of parish life What is your front door like?
Who meets a guest or visitor?
Who answers the phone or email?
How accessible are you and your team?
Is your parish warm and inviting?
Or cold and scary?
It takes a team for this.
The parish priest cannot usually do it
alone.
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The “voice” of the parish
What is “the voice” of the parish? In the signs that welcome & direct folks?
In the homily?
In the announcements and written material?
On the web?
Language creates reality What are you saying?
For all pastoral leaders
The wider parish community
Pastoral care for the sick and dying
The funeral ministry
The care of non-Catholic spouses
Parish neighbors – the people living down the block
Other Christian churches
Mosques
Synagogues
The poor, homeless, and vulnerable
The natural environment
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Remedial work
In the past: a bit closed and rigid
Doors were not always perceived to be “open” People did not feel they would be heard
Their own journey of faith was not trusted
We tended to judge “insiders” vs “outsiders”
The Holy Father is calling us to fix this How?
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Remedial work
One way to do this:
Send current active parishioners home to tell their kids and siblings
that the church still loves them.
Tell them our hearts are open to them.
We are ready to accompany them
Without first condemning them.
For all pastoral leaders
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
How to Invite & Welcome
An e-Resource kit
Fully reproducible
Tools to give your active people to help them reach out to others “How to Speak about your
Faith without Annoying Others”
“We are the People of God, and you’re part of the family!”
FREE!
www.ArtofAccompaniment.com
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
How to Invite & Welcome in God’s Name
Your ambassadors are your active parishioners
Their mission is to their own family & friends
You give them permission
And you make sure your door is open! If not, people will step forward but quickly run
away!
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
What does it mean to “Open your Doors”
New attitude of mercy & gradualness
Translated into The actions of the pastoral leaders
The voice of the parish
Your people will have to trust that if their family member or friend comes to your door, that you will welcome them That you will trust God’s action in their lives
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Personal Accompaniment
The help that family members or friends intend to give each other. The mutual help that spouses or good friends
give each other.
Accidental, short-term accompaniment.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Household life
Married to someone without faith (or religion)
Parents who are old or dying
A job change or loss
Life changes as we age
Tough financial times
The in-laws! Or the kids! Or the neighbors!
The ups and downs of life
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Short- term
Accidental meetings
In which God works through you
Keep your attitude strong: God is acting through you to touch others
God is also acting in their lives
Be ready!
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Our Plan Today
Continuity with our history as the Church
Pope Francis – pastoral initiatives
Accompaniment In the life of Jesus
In the teaching of Pope Francis
2 types of accompaniment
How this changes your daily life
The method for accompanying others
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The method
Does this person have a fundamental orientation toward God
Sometimes such an orientation is lurking beneath the surface Do they desire what is good?
Loving?
Self-giving?
Merciful and compassionate?
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The method
Or do they follow only what is expedient? Ignoring the law of love?
No consideration of others?
Self-taking, selfish?
If there is no fundamental orientation to God
…there can be no real discernment
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The goal of all Accompaniment
Adult Catholics
of mature faith
who know Jesus
and love the church.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Once oriented toward God…
Listen to their whole story Let them unfold it
Often in the telling, insights arise
Work very hard for fair judgements You will make them
But pray that they will be fair
And don’t impose them
You want to let God’s voice arise in their heart
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Once oriented toward God…
Like flying a kite You hold the string
But you have to let the wind take the kite
Speak with love and kindness in your voice
Don’t push for a decision if the person is not ready
Patience is the secret
God is acting…
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Once oriented toward God…
How is God moving them?
What intuitions do they have about what God wants for them?
What divine signs appear in their lives?
Is what they are doing or planning to do “really right” for them? Is it what they’re created and saved for?
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Once oriented toward God…
Your language should be Invitational
Pastoral
Assuring
Affirming of small steps
At the right moment Share the values and insights of the law
Lead them to self-giving love
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Remember
No matter what they have done in the past
God has forgiven them
We should not hold more against them than God does
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
Mortally wounding actions
Be aware of dark forces at work
Keep your eye on Christ
Warn the person that such an act or attitude, or failure to act Will cause a mortal wound to their soul
Cannot be reconciled with what God wants
Is selfish rather than self-giving
Mortally wounding actions
Someone who is Acting on a grudge
Getting revenge
Not caring for their own body
Cheating on his or her spouse
Bullying others
Planning suicide
People acting out of Aggression
Fear
Prejudice
Lust
Greed
Dishonesty
Jealousy or envy
Mortally wounding actions
Rape
Familial abuse
False rumors
Murder
Abortion
False oaths & lies
Stealing
Hoarding money while the poor suffer
Exploiting people
Promiscuity
Pornography
And others…
We distinguish between
Capital offenses and objective evil: Do not lead to love
But only to selfishness
Matters for which no case can ever be made
Always evil
Matters of love and marriage: Situations of
relationship & love
Even though not up to the norm of the church
“Irregular situations”
Sometimes evil but often not
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
For sins in the past
Forgiveness
Moving onward…
God does not lead us into darkness Selfishness or Sin
These are times when tender love is vital
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
He allowed them to speak from their hearts
He heard their whole story
His questions were open ended
He doesn’t try to “solve their problems”
Jesus does not merely affirm the disciples He challenges them.
He calls them “foolish” and “slow of heart.”
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
Jesus sounds fairly harsh here, but apparently it wasn’t too much They will still ask him to stay for dinner
Accompaniment should also help people see that Jesus stays with them and death/darkness don’t have the final say.
© Bill Huebsch, 2017
The road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
In the end, whatever he said to them led to their being able to recognize Jesus
“Were not our hearts burning within us as he spoke?”
As accompanists…
May our words have the same effect!