The universal “Year of Faith” (2012-2013), which called all of us to embrace the call of the New Evangelization, came to a close on the Solemnity of Christ the King last November. But, our task is not over. As the U.S. bishops state on their website: “To make the New Evangelization a reality is to become pilgrims on a journey or pilgrimage with Jesus Christ — much like the journey of Jesus meeting the disciples along the road to Emmaus. The journey or pilgrimage includes moments for a deepening of our faith, increasing our participation in the sacramental life of the Church, and leads finally to our destination of being Christian witnesses” (see http://www.usccb.org/about/strategic-plan.cfm).
Therefore, the bishops have developed a multi-year pastoral plan to help parishes, dioceses and the entire American Church to continue the work begun during the Year of Faith.
During this year (2013-2014), the spotlight will remain on faith; specific elements that the bishops have asked us to pay particular attention to have been incorporated into the prayer that we will be using in the Diocese of Davenport this year.
In 2014-2015, the U.S. bishops are shifting our focus to worship and parish life. Diocesan and parish efforts during 2015-2016 can have a special focus on initiatives that seek to increase Christian witness and to support the bishops’ priority on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. We will prepare particular prayers for each of these years when the time comes. In the meantime, please use the new diocesan prayer when you gather for meetings, in classrooms and in your homes. Together, let us journey with Christ.
— Deacon Frank Agnoli
Official prayer of the Diocese of Davenport, 2014
God of Compassion,
As once you called a people to journey with you
across sea and desert
to the land of your promise
So, too, you call a people to journey with Christ
filling them with the Holy Spirit of your love
and feeding them with the Bread of Life.
Draw us deeper into the heart of Jesus
and pour your Spirit on us
in a new Pentecost,
that we might follow
wherever you may call us.
Grant us open hearts and generous hands
so we might hear the cry of the poor
and share in their burdens.
Grant us courage
that we might always speak your truth
and be a voice for the voiceless,
witnessing to the dignity of every person.
May we, in all we say and do,
as your daughters and sons,
as families and households,
as schools and parishes,
as the Diocese of Davenport,
always proclaim the Good News
of your overflowing mercy.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
