CHARLOTTETOWN (CCN) — Bishop Joseph Dabrowski has officially launched his newest vision for the Diocese of Charlottetown, with opportunities for prayer, a missionary spirit and evangelization at the forefront of the Catholic community’s latest plan for pastoral renewal.
While officially unveiled during a Mass at St. Dunstan’s Basilica on Sept. 28, a full breakdown of the Vision for Pastoral Renewal was made available to parishioners on Oct. 3. In it, Dabrowski explains how the diocese, one he views at a crossroads, finds itself in a unique time of both challenges and opportunities.
“The Church on Prince Edward Island faces challenges and opportunities that cannot be ignored. Like many dioceses in North America, we are experiencing declining Mass attendance in some parishes, fewer priests and clergy and the pressing question of how to use our resources wisely,” Dabrowski said.
These realities, combined with a growing spiritual hunger observed during synodal-style listening sessions and Jubilee Year activities, where parishioners expressed their desires for more prayer, community gatherings, formation, Bible study and catechesis, have made for a prime opportunity for a time of pastoral renewal.
The launch letter explaining what a renewal entails makes a point to emphasize prayer above any other element, a fundamental practice the bishop told The Catholic Register he uses for peace and guidance — something he hopes for his people to experience as well.
“Our renewal needs to be rooted in prayer, and my hope is that prayer will become not just an isolated event, but a way of life in every home and parish. This is not a new type of prayer, but a very traditional and beautiful way: Eucharistic adoration, Rosary, devotions, prayer groups, even families praying together,” he said. “If our renewal begins with prayer, then even small steps will bear fruit, I know.”
Dabrowski also outlined seven key pillars for a successful pastoral renewal: evangelization, discipleship, worship, community service, stewardship and leadership. Comparing each to the beams of a strong house, he hopes all areas can be improved in the diocese moving forward, but gave an important word on evangelization as perhaps the most urgent.
“ Renewal will happen when we become a Church that goes out into the world, not just a Church that maintains everything and just hopes people will show up. Supported by formation and flowing from prayer, we want to bring this faith to others,” he said.
The new vision emerged with the help of parishioners and their calls for further parish engagement, seen in sizable, enthusiastic participation in Jubilee Year events such as the Day of Confessions and Rosary pilgrimages.
Reflecting this further was an early October group wedding celebration at St. Dunstan’s Basilica Cathedral, a celebration for those in the diocese who previously celebrated a civil union but desired to be married in the Catholic Church. With costs covered by the diocese, five couples celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage on Oct. 4, a full experience complete with a photographer, music, even wedding cakes.
This type of witness to faith is something Dabrowski hopes arrives daily in Charlottetown through his new pastoral vision, a time he is calling a “new season of grace” for the community.
“My greatest hope is simply that people will discover the joy of knowing Christ personally and living as missionary disciples. If in a few years we see Catholics on the island more rooted in prayer, more active in parish life, more welcoming of newcomers and more ready to witness the faith in their daily lives, then we’ll know that this renewal has borne fruit,” he said.
For more on the pastoral renewal, visit the Diocese of Charlottetown’s website.
