St. Gabriel parishioners, may the peace of Jesus be with you!
 
Our Annual Report offers a wonderful moment to reflect with gratitude on how the Lord has been at work among us, and to look ahead with trust in where he is leading us. In my six years as pastor, I have been deeply blessed to witness the movement of the Holy Spirit in our parish. Together, we have prayerfully embraced a vision and mission that speaks to the deepest needs of our hearts and world. This vision is not our own. It is the mission given to us by the Lord himself: the fundamental mission of the Church—to be and to make disciples of Christ. 

Here in south Charlotte, material poverty may not be common, but spiritual poverty—loneliness, anxiety, broken marriages, moral confusion, addiction—is all around us. We need Jesus. Our community and our world need him. With the Holy Spirit as our guide, we  have worked to renew hearts, deepen relationships with the Lord, and equip one another, as disciples, to carry the Good News beyond our campus. It has been both challenging and rewarding—an experience of “pushing out into the deep”—something we are called to do in every season, trusting the Lord as we take the next step together. 

The numbers in this report are only part of the story. The real story is of lives changed, marriages and families strengthened, hope restored, and faith awakened. 

What we are doing matters. 

It matters that we gather each Sunday to worship. We need to be nourished, strengthened and healed by the Eucharist, the sacraments, and God’s Word. 

It matters that our Masses radiate the joy, relevance, and genuine welcome of our faith—a place where we all feel at home and confident inviting others to encounter Christ.

It matters that we invest in our spiritual growth and relationship with the Lord at all ages. Alpha, Bible studies, OCIA, and retreats matter.

It matters that we equip parents to pass on faith and help their children build values rooted in Christ. Our parent/student Family Faith matters.

It matters that we invest in youth ministry—that our youth and teens know that they belong here, are loved, and have a parish home. Youth ministry and our small-group Confirmation preparation matter. 

It matters that we help engaged couples prepare for a lifelong vocation of love, and that we support married couples in strengthening their relationship, communication, and commitment. Alpha Pre-Marriage, the Marriage Course, and our Marriage Thrive retreat day matter.

It matters that we build relationships with each other--that we get to know each other, form friendships, and pray for each other. Our discipleship groups for men, women, young adults, young families, and seniors matter.

It matters that we are generous and strategic in our charitable outreach, helping alleviate hunger, homelessness, and poverty.

It matters that none of us sits on the sidelines, but that each of us offers our gifts, time and treasure—sacrificially—for the mission of Jesus Christ. 

All of this matters because Jesus Christ matters. He is the reason for our parish, our mission, and our hope. With gratitude for what God has done and with trust in what lies ahead, let us continue to walk together in faith, always listening for the Holy Spirit’s call to take the next step.

Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in Christ’s mission. May all That we do here at St. Gabriel be oriented to Him—our Savior who walks with us and loves us—leading us toward eternal life.

Peace and joy in Christ Jesus,
  
Fr. Richard Sutter
Pastor, St. Gabriel Catholic Church
Galatians 6:9-10