The Art of Accompaniment Christians walking with each

The Art of Accompaniment Christians walking with each other in faith and love

Sources Go to The Pastoral Center booth 385 Or Twenty-Third Publications © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Pastoral Strategy n n n The Holy Father sees accompaniment As the key strategy To achieve all other pastoral goals We help each other discern n What God is calling us to be and do n © Bill Huebsch, 2018

What is accompaniment? o Acc m i pan st © Bill Huebsch, 2018

5 God is still speaking n A tremendous and amazing reality n God is speaking to us individually n n As well as through scripture & liturgy But also: n n The embrace of a loved one In our conscience where we are alone with God whose voice echoes in our depths © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Conscience Article 1776 of the CCC © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Our Plan Today n Accompaniment n n In the life of Jesus In the teaching of the Church How this changes your daily life The method for accompanying others © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Jesus The Master Accompanist © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Jesus accompanied Matthew n n Jesus called Matthew Jesus looked on that man with mercy #8 in The Face of Mercy n Pope Francis’ motto: n n Miserando atque Eligendo I hold nothing against you and I choose you © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The disciples accompanied Jesus n The road to Caesarea Philippi n n n They walked and talked 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee Personal and pithy question n Who do people say that I am? n And you, who do you say I am? © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Jesus accompanied this woman n The woman in adultery n (John 8) He stood up for her in the face of a legal solution, which was to stone her n He urged her to live a more worthy life n “Neither do I condemn you. ” © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia) f e i r B A closer look at chapter 8

Apostolic Exhortation n The contents are part of the ordinary magisterium of the Church, n As such, they call for our assent © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Joy of Love n Remarriage (Jo. L 292) n n n Constructive elements of love Even though not up to the ideal Civil marriage or cohabitation (Jo. L 293) n n Stability and care present Deep affection and shared children Let us enter into dialogue with these Help them gradually “come home” (Jo. L 295) © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Joy of Love n n (Jo. L 296 -299) The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone But to walk with them Avoid judgements that do not take into account mitigating circumstances Should not feel excommunicated © Bill Huebsch, 2018

When people fail n n n Do we cast them off? Or work to reinstate them? (Jo. L 296) No one can be condemned forever Not only the divorced & remarried “But everyone in whatever situation they find themselves” (Jo. L 297) © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The logic of integration They belong to us n Because they belong to Christ n n …not excommunicated (Jo. L 299) What is needed is discernment of how God is speaking in their consciences. (Jo. L 300) © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Joy of Love n n (Jo. L 300) I hereby …direct the pastors of the Church to undertake discernment of each case, the degree of responsibility is not the same in all cases and, therefore, the rules may be applied differently We must accompany each person… © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Mitigating circumstances #301 n n The Church has a solid body of reflection that helps us understand mitigating circumstances …we can no longer say, simply, that any person in an irregular situation is in a state of mortal sin or is deprived of sanctifying grace. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Conscience #303 A person can come to see that a particular decision is in line with “what God himself is asking” n amid the concrete complexity of one’s specific situation n n while yet not fully the objective ideal © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Canon 915 n n “Those… who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion. ” © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Canon 912 n n n If there is no mortal sin: “Any baptized person who is not forbidden by law may and must be admitted to holy communion. ” © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Pastoral Accompaniment n n n The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers. How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Personal Accompaniment n The help that family members or friends intend to give each other. n n The mutual help that spouses or good friends give each other. Accidental, short-term accompaniment. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

2 other ways we accompany n From On Care for our Common Home n n n We accompany the nature environment Befriend it and keep it in your heart From the Joy of the Gospel n n We accompany the poor and vulnerable We find ways to partner with them and befriend them © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Pastoral Accompaniment n n The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers. How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. n n Accompaniment in Faith Formation The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders Attitude really matters n n We tend to resent people Or give up on them n n n For being absent Or breaking the rules We tend to label people n n “They’re unchurched” “They don’t support the parish” © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Or we say about them n “They didn’t meet our deadlines” n n n But maybe it’s a single parent Or someone whose been hurt by the church Or people of a different culture Or maybe there’s abuse at home Or a lot of pain We are often personally offended © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders But these people n On a journey of their own n n God is acting in their lives A loving touch from you may be all that is needed to open that up n A sense of reverence for the mystery n New attitude: I am Jesus to them © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders Attitude really matters n Every one has to learn this n Have reverence for how God is acting n Our attitude: Love but do not condemn n n Jo. G 169 Pray that you will be filled with love Be like the father of the prodigal son © Bill Huebsch, 2018

So sometimes n n We accept them But we let them know we’re not happy n We let them come back But we hold them at a distance n And continue to judge them harshly n © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders Your language n Don’t become the “elder brother” n How you speak to those n n Living outside our rules Instead of judging or condemning n Compassion, mercy, and hope © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Jesus calls us n n To rejoice! Yes, rejoice that the lost sheep has been found He wants us to throw a party for them Rather than sneak them in secretly © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For parish priests The crowds n n How you address the parish in your homilies How you address crowds of “flower people” n n n Christmas, Easter, Funerals, Weddings Offer God’s unconditional love to them © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For many (most? ) of you n n A welcome relief You no longer have to “throw the book” at people who have suffered Freely offer them love and your open heart Welcome them in Jesus’ name © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders In sum n n The attitudes, words, and actions Of the parish priest and pastoral team Make all the difference in the world. You have all the permission you need to be merciful and compassionate © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Pastoral Accompaniment n n The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers. How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. n n Accompaniment in Faith Formation The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

www. Artof. Accompaniment. com Accompaniment n Faith formation n Coaching young parents Helping them become the primary teachers n Don’t replace them with a program n n n But accompany them Offer them assurance and affirmation © Bill Huebsch, 2018

www. Artof. Accompaniment. com Accompaniment n Growing Up Catholic n First Reconciliation First Eucharist n Coach parents to play THE major role n n n Accompaniment for parents Parents want to form their children © Bill Huebsch, 2018

www. Artof. Accompaniment. com Accompaniment n Pastoral care n n n Reaching out well beyond our borders The needs of ecumenical households Marriage prep n n n A relationship that doesn’t end at the wedding Requires that we listen to them carefully Help them discern God’s voice © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders Free or inexpensive resources Artof. Accompaniment. co m Booth 385 in the Hall Twenty-Third Pubs © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Pastoral Accompaniment n n The attitudes, words, and actions of the parish priest and pastoral workers. How the parish programs are organized to assist parishioners. n n Accompaniment in Faith Formation The voice or presence of the parish in the wider community, how it is seen and heard. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders The “voice” of the parish n n Sit down with a team Talk through the elements of parish life n n n What is your front door like? Who meets a guest or visitor? It takes a team for Who answers the phone or email? this. How accessible are you and your team? The parish priest Is your parish warm and do inviting? cannot usually it alone. Or cold and scary? © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders The “voice” of the parish n What is “the voice” of the parish? n n n In the signs that welcome & direct folks? In the homily? In the announcements and written material? On the web? Language creates reality n What are you saying? © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The wider parish community n n Pastoral care for the sick and dying The funeral ministry The care of non. Catholic spouses Parish neighbors – the people living down the block n n n Other Christian churches Mosques Synagogues The poor, homeless, and vulnerable The natural environment

For all pastoral leaders Remedial work n n In the past: a bit closed and rigid Doors were not always perceived to be “open” n n People did not feel they would be heard Their own journey of faith was not trusted We tended to judge “insiders” vs “outsiders” The Holy Father is calling us to fix this n How? © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders Remedial work n n One way to do this: Send current active parishioners home n n n to tell their kids and siblings that the church still loves them. Tell them our hearts are open to them. We are ready to accompany them Without first condemning them. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

www. Artof. Accompaniment. com How to Invite & Welcome n n n An e-Resource kit Fully reproducible Tools to give your active people to help them reach out to others n n n “How to Speak about your Faith without Annoying Others” “We are the People of God, and you’re part of the family!” FREE! © Bill Huebsch, 2018

How to Invite & Welcome in God’s Name n Your ambassadors are your active parishioners n n n Their mission is to their own family & friends You give them permission And you make sure your door is open! n If not, people will step forward but quickly run away! © Bill Huebsch, 2018

What does it mean to “Open your Doors” n n New attitude of mercy & gradualness Translated into n n n The actions of the pastoral leaders The voice of the parish Your people will have to trust that if their family member or friend comes to your door, that you will welcome them n That you will trust God’s action in their lives © Bill Huebsch, 2018

For all pastoral leaders How to Invite & Welcome Artof. Accompaniment. co m Booth 385 in the Hall © Bill Huebsch, 2018

How to Accompany Others © Bill Huebsch, 2018

How to Accompany § § Does this person have a fundamental orientation toward God Sometimes such an orientation is lurking beneath the surface § § Do they desire what is good? Loving? Self-giving? Merciful and compassionate? © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The method Or do they follow only what is expedient? § § § Ignoring the law of love? No consideration of others? Self-taking, selfish? If there is no fundamental orientation to God …there can be no real discernment © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The goal of all Accompaniment Adult Catholics of mature faith who know Jesus and love the church © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Once oriented toward God… n Listen to their whole story n n n Let them unfold it Often in the telling, insights arise Work very hard for fair judgements n n You will make them But pray that they will be fair And don’t impose them You want to let God’s voice arise in their heart © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Once oriented toward God… n n How is God moving them? What intuitions do they have about what God wants for them? What divine signs appear in their lives? Is what they are doing or planning to do “really right” for them? n Is it what they’re created and saved for? © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Once oriented toward God… n Your language should be n n n Invitational Pastoral Assuring Affirming of small steps At the right moment n n Share the values and insights of the law Lead them to self-giving love © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Remember n n n No matter what they have done in the past God has forgiven them We should not hold more against them than God does © Bill Huebsch, 2018

In conclusion Jesus: The Chief Accompanist

The road to Emmaus n n n (Luke 24) He allowed them to speak from their hearts He heard their whole story His questions were open ended He doesn’t try to “solve their problems” Jesus does not merely affirm the disciples n n He challenges them. © Bill Huebsch, 2018 He calls them “foolish” and “slow of heart. ”

The road to Emmaus n Jesus sounds fairly harsh here, but apparently it wasn’t too much n n n (Luke 24) The end of the story… They will still ask him to stay for dinner Accompaniment should also help people see that Jesus stays with them and death/darkness don’t have the final say. © Bill Huebsch, 2018

The road to Emmaus n n (Luke 24) In the end, whatever he said to them led to their being able to recognize Jesus “Were not our hearts burning within us as he spoke? ” As accompanists… n May our words have the same effect! © Bill Huebsch, 2018

Thank you n n For what you do in your parishes For being here today For taking on this new mission Come Holy Spirit, n n fill the hearts of your faithful enkindle in us the FIRE of your love!

Sources Go to The Pastoral Center booth 385 Or Twenty-Third Publications