A message from Father Trout

Dear Parishioners,
 
Establishing Small Christian Communities has been my passion as a priest. It is what I did in Nigeria, South Africa, and at the various parishes I worked at in the Archdiocese of Chicago. It is also what I did my research on with the assistance of Community Psychologists at Vanderbilt University.
 
As Pastor of St. Joseph Parish, I have asked parishioners to answer today’s defining challenges: “Will you be the last generation of Catholics in your family?” and “Who among you is willing to be the first of your generation to create a new way of being Church by reclaiming the Church of the Apostles?” Cardinal Cupich has graciously granted me a six-month sabbatical beginning July 2022. So, it is only fair that I do my part to consider the Church’s future by including pilgrimages in Ireland and Europe for personal renewal and to energize my passion for fostering Small Christian Communities (SCCs).
 
Pope Francis sees SCCs as the new way of being Church. While many young people have left the Church in Ireland, about one million of them undertake these pilgrimages each year; they are now becoming known as the Irish Caminos. As a result, something new is emerging, renewed interest in the ancient spirituality of the pilgrimages, which includes a deep respect for creation, together with the development of new communities of faith.
 
These new faith communities are also renewing the existing communities of faith that have had a presence along the pilgrim paths stretching back to the monastic era. In particular, relationships are being created and sustained by walking long distances together; growing evidence shows that this practice also has excellent mental health benefits. Personal stories will inevitably be shared on the pilgrimage; a renewed spirituality will emerge when people's personal stories are enlightened by the deep spirituality of the particular Saint whom the pilgrimage is named after.
 
I look forward to reacquainting myself with the land of my birth. I also look forward to celebrating Christmas with family for the first time since I was ordained, and to the opportunity to be home for an extended period since I left at age 21 to enter the St. Patrick’s Missionary Society. In addition to the mental and physical benefits of a pilgrimage, I want to catch up and spend time with friends and family, especially my mother, who will celebrate her 91^st birthday this year.
 
I hope that undertaking these pilgrimages will renew me and renew my passion for creating a new way of being Church.
 
Yours in Christ,



Fr. John Trout
Pastor