2025 Pastoral Plan
2025 Pastoral Plan
Sacred Heart of Jesus Korean Catholic Church in Connecticut
“A Joyful and Pleasant Community Together with Our Parish”
“Rejoice and be glad.” (Matthew 5:12)
Praised be Jesus Christ!
May the grace and peace of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ fill the homes of all our parishioners. As we begin 2025 with hope and joy, we also celebrate the Lunar New Year, remembering our ancestors and praying that God’s abundant light will shine upon us, just as the candles from each family shine brightly at the altar.
Looking Back
When I arrived at this parish in Connecticut around Easter of 2022, I introduced the goal of building a “Joyful and Pleasant Community,” using the word JOY to focus on three aspects:
JESUS FIRST
OTHERS NEXT
YOURSELF LAST
Throughout 2024, our pastoral theme was “OTHERS NEXT,” encouraging us to find joy by being with and serving others. We prayed together, shared our lives, and did our best to be joyful as one community. Notably, during the month of June—dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the patron of our parish—we experienced deep gratitude for one another, especially through our parish fundraising golf tournament, a first after the pandemic. We saw God’s loving hand at work when the morning rain suddenly stopped right at the start of the tournament, reminding us that God always listens to our prayers.
We also had the blessing of welcoming, for the first time, Archbishop Peter Jung Soon-taek (Archdiocese of Seoul), who celebrated Mass with our community, sharing the joy of the Lord. Our annual Parish Day outdoor Mass at Hammonasset Beach Park brought many parishioners together for the first time in two years, offering a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. Over the past three years, we have also united in the Lord's Prayer every evening at 9:00 p.m., each in our own place, reminding ourselves that we are truly one in Christ.
2025 Pastoral Goal: “OUR CHURCH”
This year, before we move onto the third part of JOY—“YOURSELF LAST”—I would like to add one more dimension to the second aspect by highlighting “OUR CHURCH.” In Korean, the term “우리(woori)” carries a special, communal meaning—“our home,” “our mom,” “our dad,” “our school,” and even the phrase “하늘에 계신 우리 아버지!” (“Our Father in heaven!”) in the Lord’s Prayer. This deep sense of community is central to our parish identity, uniting us even though we live in various parts of Connecticut. Gathering each Sunday at our parish to worship and share fellowship is a precious tradition that truly embodies the spirit of “우리”—“us” or “our community.”
Therefore, I invite each of you to rediscover the significance of “our parish” and to live joyfully as children of God throughout this year.
1. Find Joy and Delight in “Our Parish”
On Sunday mornings, let us come from our own homes to God’s home—our parish—filled with joy and gratitude. Through Sunday Mass, we encounter our Lord, and through fellowship, we share in the happiness of being together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let our parish serve as the spiritual anchor that helps us reflect on the past week and prepare for the new one. By actively participating in parish ministries, prayer groups, and various events, and by volunteeringour time in service, we will experience the blessing of living as “we” rather than simply “me.”
2. Find Joy and Delight in “Our Districts”
Our parish is divided into eight districts (small communities). Each district is not just a local group but a mini-parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Korean Catholic Church. Let us revitalize gatherings that may have become inactive or sparse. Meeting in one another’s homes to share the Gospel and fellowship will breathe fresh energy into our busy lives. We will resume district Masses (please arrange schedules in advance). Each district is also encouraged to plan an outdoor gathering or mini-retreat—financial support will be provided. After your gatherings, please submit a brief summary to the parish office. At the end of the year, we will joyfully recognize the district that best embodies our theme of “joy and delight.”
3. Continue “Our Prayer”
We will carry on our practice of praying every evening at 9:00 p.m. Whether you are at home, at work, driving, or out with friends, please pause when your phone’s alarm rings and pray the Lord’s Prayer once. I will also pray at that same hour, offering you my blessing from wherever I am. Though we may be physically apart, we are united in prayer. The power of prayer is extraordinary, and each individual prayer builds the foundation of the joy we experience together as a parish.
A Word of Gratitude and Hope
I have now reached the midpoint of my pastoral ministry here in Connecticut. During a recent trip to Korea for visa renewal, I realized how much “our parish” remained constantly on my mind and in my heart, reaffirming that this is where I am meant to be. I hope each of you will also remain united with our parish in faith. When I think of the many graces God has bestowed upon this community, I always recall your smiling faces. It is my prayer that this joy will blossom even more in our parish throughout 2025. Our lives gain meaning when we are joyful, we find strength when we are joyful, and we move forward when we are joyful. Thank you.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, patron of our parish, hear our prayer.
Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, who were always with our Lord, pray for us.
Holy Martyrs of Korea, who received the crown of joy for our Lord, pray for us.
In Christ,
Rev. Joseph Lee (Sangsun)
Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Korean Catholic Church in Connecticut