We were issued a challenge at last month’s parish mission: say who Jesus is. Or, what stood out to me, learn to throw a football. No, not actually throw a football! But challenged to live my life ready and willing to share Jesus with everyone, everywhere.  Challenged to answer the Lord with a yes when called. Challenged to go all-in, not knowing how or when that will change the path of someone else.

    Growing up Catholic, we are taught our faith through the sacraments, learning to throw the footballs of confession, Communion, and Confirmation. Most of us live with a muscle-memory kind of faith. We remember to pray, get to Sunday Mass, say the Creed, and cross ourselves with holy water on the way to get a doughnut. Then Monday comes and we kind of forget what we did. I am often guilty of that, checking faith off my weekly to-do list. Could I tell someone why I do any of this? Could I be used in someone else’s journey that will lead them to the Lord? Can I teach someone else how to throw this football?

     When pondering the question of commitment and covenant to our Catholic faith, we often leave out the role of disciple. We tend to recommit internally to prayer, time with Jesus, and the Eucharist. However, we should also

recommit ourselves to each other. Serving others is a pillar of our faith. Discipleship is so much more than

showing up for Sunday. It asks you to change, grow, break away from old habits, and place your feet on the path of Jesus. From prayer to mission, the work of discipleship grows and fits into our lives.

     Over the coming months at St. Ann, we will journey to discipleship together. Opportunities for faith formation, service, prayer, and worship will open our hearts to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, not just in our parish life, but with our whole person.

     St. Ann welcomes the challenge of recommitting ourselves to this journey, offering spaces for you, your family, friends, and community to step onto the road to discipleship in new ways, big and small.

Father Jim will be speaking at all the Masses April 20-21 to share more details and plans for our parish.

Your mission now is to say, ‘I’m all in.’

-Amy Krakauer is a member of the St. Ann Parish Staff.