ALL THINGS NEW – Steadfast in Faith - Forward in Hope

Strategic Pastoral Planning Initiative for the Archdiocese of St. Louis

      I received an email on Tuesday, June 21st.  Maybe you saw it last week, in the June 20-26, 2022 edition of the St. Louis Review.  The Survey Results of the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) are in. 

  •  In total, the Archdiocese received 70,718 surveys. 

  •  Based on the average October Sunday Mass count from 2015-2021, about 60% of Mass-going Catholics participated in the Disciple Maker Index survey.

  •  This equates to 22% of all registered adult Catholics 18 years and older who participated in the survey. This is above the national average for other dioceses who have taken the Disciple Maker Index survey nationwide.

  •  The 75-question survey examined respondents’ personal beliefs about the Church, level of participation in the sacraments and other parish-based activities.  The results will be a driving force in deciding what will happen within the archdiocese. 

  •  Fr. Chris Martin, Vicar for Strategic Planning for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, said: “We cannot discern well without good information.  While we can look at our records and see where people live, how many attend Mass where, how many children are in our schools, etc., the Disciple Maker Index allows us to catch a glimpse of our strengths and opportunities for growth on a spiritual level.”

I think that we would do well to view this Strategic Pastoral Planning Initiative for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, through the lens of our own:

 St. Peter Parish Mission Statement:

“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (Jn 20:21)

St. Peter Parish is a people united in faith and sharing the life of Christ.

Influenced by our Catholic heritage, empowered by the liturgy, and growing in the Spirit of God, we are to be ministers of the Word of Christ and His Work of Salvation. 

We are to be signs of the Lord’s love, peace, justice, and mercy to one another, and to the community in which we live.

In Jesus Christ: United / Empowered / Sent…now, that’s a life of Grace!

                                                                                                                   Sincerely yours in Jesus,

                                                                                                                   Fr. John Seper