INDIVIDUAL DISCERNMENT

Welcome to an Individual Discernment Session as part of our Archdiocesan Discernment Process! While parishes across the Archdiocese of Denver are also gathering to listen to God’s voice, we are so grateful that you are taking the time to do the same using this digital experience tool.

First, as you begin, please spend fifteen minutes in quiet prayer with the Road to Emmaus passage from Luke 24:13-35, using the lectio divina method. If you are not familiar with lectio divina, a guide is available here.

Next, your individual online discernment session will continue with a welcome video from Archbishop Aquila and a short presentation from Tim Glemkowski, the Director of Strategy for the Archdiocese of Denver on our vision behind this process.

Finally, there will be three questions, around the Mission of the Church, Parish, and Disciple on which we are asking you to pray. Before you answer each question, watch the video that provides more clarity around the mission of each and follow the instructions.

We cannot thank you enough for your willingness to participate in this Archdiocesan Discernment Process. We are confident that God will be speaking clearly and powerfully through our prayer on how we can more effectively carry out the mission of our local church, “that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.” May God bless you abundantly.

Video 1

Welcome to our Discernment Process: Why are we doing this? What is it? What is discernment – Archbishop Aquila

Video 2

Our Vision: Christendom to Apostolic Mission, The Why, Overview of the Missions – Tim Glemkowski

Question 1

(Record your reflection in the form at the bottom of the page)

In the video, you heard that the mission of our local Church is “that in Jesus Christ all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.”

What do you hear the Holy Spirit saying in prayer to the Church of northern Colorado about how he wants that mission to be carried out today in this apostolic time?

Question 2

(Record your reflection in the form at the bottom of the page)

In the video you heard that the mission of the parish is to accomplish the mission of the Church. In supporting the Church’s mission, the parish functions like an “embassy” – a place of home and freedom in a foreign and sometimes hostile land where anyone can find support and refuge.

What do you hear the Holy Spirit saying in prayer to the Church of Denver about how our parishes can more effectively live out that “embassy” mission?

Question 3

(Record your reflection in the form at the bottom of the page)

In the video, you heard that the mission of each disciple is given to them in baptism. This mission is to become a saint by being “on mission” in their individual lives and families “so that all might be rescued.”

What do you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you personally, in prayer, about how you are being called to live out that mission today?