Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I am reaching out to you in a time when, as a society and as a Church, we are facing new challenges. As Pope Leo XIV recently reminded us: “The Church today faces new challenges that concern both society as a whole and each of us. We need to renew our willingness to walk together, listen to one another, and unite our gifts and charisms so that God's people can carry the gospel into this world of transformation.”
As the synodal process has shown, the future of our parishes will increasingly rely on vibrant communities of believers, in which both laity and priests share in ministry and responsibility. The final document of the Synod on Synodality reminds the entire people of God: “The laity are called to actively participate in the life and mission of the Church, bringing their gifts and charisms, and thus, alongside the pastors, bear responsibility for the community, its faith, and missionary mission.” (Final Document of the Synod on Synodality, Art. XX)
This calling to responsibility for the Church can best be developed within the parish communities where you live. Each of them is unique and experiences its own joys and challenges. Some parishes have already experienced the reality of a shortage of priests and cannot gather for the celebration of the Eucharist every Sunday. In the future, this reality may concern more parishes. However, this does not mean that the life of the Church should weaken – on the contrary! When God's people unite, strong and vibrant faith can grow even in a small community, witnessing to what we have heard in the gospel, that: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish.” (John 3:16) Whether a priest is permanently present in the parish or only visits, it is often you who daily witness to God in your environment, and through your commitment linked to living according to the gospel, you create the Church.
Expressions of shared responsibility for the Church are visible in any service to the parish community. Many of you are involved as parishioners, musicians, lectors, catechists, community leaders, and in many other services. To all of you who actively participate in the life of the parish and together with the priest build the community, I want to express my gratitude.
Another concrete way for believers to participate in the life of the Church and also to be involved in decision-making processes is through parish pastoral councils. Their task is not only to advise, but primarily to help the priest in his mission and to be bearers of continuity in the life of the parish. Priests, without the support and cooperation of parishioners, cannot accomplish much. They need your help and support – not only in practical matters but also in prayer, encouragement, and in seeking paths together. The reverse is also true: if laypeople think they do not need priests, the Church would cease to be what it should be. Both extremes – “the priest does everything” or “the laity can manage without priests” – lead to impoverishment of parish life. We need each other.
In some parishes, pastoral councils already exist and function well. In others, however, their activity remains rather formal, and in many parishes, there is yet to be a pastoral council. As has emerged from the synod, it is desirable to establish a pastoral council in every parish in the coming years. Therefore, we want to offer training that will help us learn to listen to one another, cooperate, and create a true community. We also offer similar training to priests through educational courses. By 2027, there should be a pastoral council in every parish of our diocese – and we want to prepare well for that.
Therefore, I invite you to a course called CREATING PARISH, which is intended for members of current and future pastoral councils, as well as for anyone with an open heart for service in the parish. The course will take place in Ostrava from October 2025 to January 2026 and will consist of a total of six meetings. Its goal is to equip participants with knowledge and support them in their ability to:
- assume shared responsibility for the life of the parish
- connect people into a community where faith is shared and grows;
- seek new ways to participate in liturgical celebrations when the parish remains without a priest;
- perceive their parish not just as a place to attend but as a family for which they feel responsibility in the context of the entire diocese and Church.
You can register for the course through the contact listed on our diocese's website – until the end of September or until the capacity is filled.
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Church is not just the work of a few people – it is the common work of all the baptized, united with Christ, who became the servant of our salvation, as we heard in the second reading (cf. Phil 2:6). Please allow yourselves to be invited to serve. Our parishes will be as alive as the hearts of those who make them up.
With blessing and prayer for you all
yours + Bishop Martin
