Listening for the Voice of the Holy Spirit 

The feedback we received, gathered from over 1,000 individuals in the listening sessions, was heartwarming and illuminating. This collective sharing and discernment guided us toward a common understanding: the Holy Spirit is calling us to bring the healing, hope and joy found in Jesus to all people. People expressed a longing for authentic relationships, healing from past wounds and a desire for joy in their spiritual journeys. Many shared stories of isolation and the challenges they faced during difficult times, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. Conversely, there were also uplifting narratives highlighting the resilience and hope that exists within our families, parishes and civic communities.  

A Clear Vision and Mission for the Future of Our Diocese 

Our Vision and Mission are clear: As disciples on mission, we will accompany and lead all people to the healing, hope and joy of Jesus and the kingdom of God. This mission is about meeting people where they are in their journey of life and bringing them into a closer relationship with Jesus.  

Mission Values Moving Forward 

Healing: Addressing wounds and fostering reconciliation.

Hope: Inspiring a future filled with possibilities. 

Joy: Celebrating the love of Jesus in our lives. 

Abundance: Preparing for fruition and growth. 
 

The Road to Emmaus: A Guiding Scripture 

In discerning our Vision and Mission path forward, we turned to the Scriptures, specifically the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This narrative offers a powerful framework for our Mission and Vision. As the disciples encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus, He accompanies them and listens to their hurts, despair and tribulations. In this first movement of encounter and accompaniment with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, He brings to these disciples healing to their hurts, hope to their despair and joy amid their tribulations. 

The second movement on the road to Emmaus focuses on Jesus’ teaching and sharing the Scriptures with the two disciples, particularly the messages of resurrection and new life. This is not merely about imparting knowledge but about guiding these disciples into a deeper relationship with Christ.  

Mission and Vision Goals for the Diocese of Duluth: Our Walk to Emmaus 

With these Emmaus movements in mind, we established two primary Mission and Vision goals for the Diocese of Duluth: 

1. Evangelizing Encounter and Accompaniment   

We are committed to fostering encounters with Jesus that lead to healing and stronger personal and familial relationships with the Lord. This initiative encourages individuals and families to connect with one another and to recognize their role of bringing others to the healing, hope and joy of Jesus. 

2. Evangelizing Catechesis   

We strive to help everyone, regardless of age, understand their identity as God’s beloved sons and daughters. This understanding and catechesis invite all people into a deeper relationship with Jesus through His teachings revealed in His person, the Holy Scriptures and the Traditions of His Church. 

Our Mission Fields 

To effectively implement our Mission and Vision Goals, we must identify our mission fields — those communities and individuals we are called to serve. The Diocese of Duluth encompasses 24 mission fields, each with unique needs and challenges. By focusing on these local areas, we can collaborate more effectively and ensure that our Mission and Vision Goals and Values are realized in local tangible ways. Our Mission Field makes real all the people to whom we are to bring the healing, hope and joy of Jesus. 

Embracing the Journey Together 

Together, as we walk our road to Emmaus, we emphasize the importance of the first two movements: evangelizing encounter and accompaniment, as well as evangelizing catechesis. This sacred journey is both straightforward and challenging, requiring commitment and faith. 

 Our call is to accompany individuals on their paths, regardless of where they find themselves in life. Together, we will lead them to the healing, hope and joy of Jesus, allowing His love to guide us toward the kingdom of God.  

As we move forward, let us be confident that this is not our plan for Mission and Vision, but that of the Holy Spirit accompanying all of us to the healing, hope and joy that we can only find in Jesus as beloved sons and daughters of the Father. 

+Bishop Daniel J. Felton 

In upcoming issues of The Northern Cross, I will elaborate on the strategies for the implementation of our Mission and Vision Goals.