The Condition of Discipleship | The Coffee Challenge! ☕️

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Condition of Discipleship

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Jesus explains that the primary condition of discipleship entails giving up control, letting go, and surrendering to the Lord in a way that allows God’s will to be done in us. Mary is the perfect example and therefore first true disciple of this paradigm. Think back to the scene of the Annunciation. Mary proclaims: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). In letting go of worldly goods and living life as a “holy sacrifice” unto God, we are then able to follow – to find deep union with Christ. I’d like to focus on the understanding of taking up one’s cross. While the obvious implication is having to navigate the trials or hardships of life with faith and trust in God, another more subtle connotation is the concept of duty and sacrifice. Stewardship comes to mind. As we have concluded the 2025-2026 fiscal year on 30 June, just prior to my arrival, I have been reviewing our parish’s financial health with the Finance Council. At this time, I would like to offer a preview of our findings. A more detailed report will be forthcoming. The Net Operating Loss accelerated this past year and will no longer be sustainable for the parish. Unfortunately, the income decline since the time of Covid and the multiple instances we suffered without a Pastor, has not allowed our Parish to resume normal operations. As you may recognize, inflation also continues to be a considerable factor in rising expenses and remains a significant contributor to our annual Net Operating Loss of approximately $700K this past fiscal year. We are grateful to have been awarded two, one-time financial infusions in a PPP (Payroll Protection Program) grant and more recently an ERC (Employee Retention Credit) refund that has helped to absorb the impact of our Net Operating Losses. However, these additional funds are being depleted, and our forecast indicates that they will only get us through FY2027, at best. The Finance Council and I will undergo an analysis of parish operations to work towards a viable and sustainable future. We remain committed to being good stewards of the gifts God has given us as we, together, participate in shaping the future of our parish.

Currently, how might you help to shape the future of our parish so that we can meet future needs: so that we can be the best missionary disciples possible, so that we can boldly witness to Mission and evangelization, so that we can “Go and Make Disciples”? I’d like to suggest, for your consideration, the Coffee Challenge!

Perhaps during the week, you spend about $10 buying coffee. I’d like to invite you to make a small sacrifice along the broader theological concept of taking up one’s cross. Would you be willing to sacrifice that expense of buying coffee and instead, increase your Sunday weekly giving by $10.00? If everyone increased Sunday giving by $10.00, the impact would be considerable. If you have not given in a while, perhaps bring to prayer this opportunity to start giving again – a gentle invitation to “take up one’s cross” in that sense of the condition of discipleship, because of love and care for our parish family and the mission it serves: being a “universal sacrament of salvation” (Ad Gentes 1).

I hope you will give some thought to joining this Coffee Challenge. It is a way to respond to the blessings we have received from Almighty God. Stewardship is a spiritual discipline that lends us to living out the condition of discipleship. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Grateful and inspired, I remain –

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Christian Shiu
Administrator