Mission and Vision

Mission Statement for the Diocese of Ogdensburg

As the People of God in the Diocese of Ogdensburg, in communion with the Holy Father and our Bishop, we affirm that we are members of one family, whose roots are ethnically diverse, united by our faith, our conviction in the centrality of the Eucharist and our commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ. Grounded in our history and tradition, we remain open to the movement of the Holy Spirit as we strive to promote an awareness of the presence of the Triune God and the sacredness of all human life in every aspect of our personal, communal, and ecclesial lives. We desire to create structures and processes that will ensure effective collaboration among all members of the diocesan Church in keeping with each one's vocation. We acknowledge our radical dependence on the providence of our loving God, as we enter into the new millennium recognizing that, with God, all things are possible and all is grace.

Vision Statement for the Diocese of Ogdensburg

As we prepare to cross the threshold of hope into the Third Christian Millennium, the opportunities and challenges we face as a diocesan Church are numerous and diverse. However, we know that we do not stand alone. God the Holy Spirit guides us, one step at a time. If we are open to His sanctifying presence, we will be empowered to continue creating a culture of life, building a civilization of love, and developing a kingdom of justice and peace.

In building this Kingdom of God on earth, we believe:

That the Eucharist, both Sacrament and Sacrifice, lies at the heart of our life and mission as Church and that, therefore, its faithful and fruitful celebration is essential;

That the parish is the place where the Church finds its most immediate and visible expression and thereby, becomes a home where the Christian faithful gather to celebrate Christ's presence in the sacraments, in particular the Eucharist, which are the source of sanctification for every state of life;

That the diversity of gifts present in the parish will enrich us as we continue to seek ways to best respond to the direction of the Holy Spirit in our midst, especially through our efforts at Christian formation for all members at every stage of life;

That the parish exists to evangelize and to develop ecclesial community where God's gifts are received and where the baptized generously make their response of faith, hope, and love to the call of the Gospel and the proclamation of God's Word;

That, as parishes who together from one diocesan Church, we exist not for ourselves but for the life of the world and are missioned with the task of bringing the healing presence of Christ to a wounded humanity;

That the faith-filled and full collaboration of clergy, persons living the consecrated life, and laity will ensure the best possible pastoral care of the parish and other ecclesial communities, within the context of clearly understanding the essential difference between the priesthood of all the faithful and the ministerial priesthood;

That given the prudent stewardship of resources, both personnel and financial, over the next five to ten years, parishes and other ecclesial communities must collaborate, so that the mission of the Church to teach, to sanctify and to serve can continue, albeit in new or different forms, throughout the diocese.

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