Parish Vision 2026

At Pentecost this year, Friar Esmond briefly outlined the Parish Vision in a video message played at all Masses that weekend. About a week prior, he had held a parish assembly with parish ministry leaders and key members and explained this vision in more detail. Below, we have extracted relevant snippets of that meeting, to help everyone understand and highlight the important points of our new parish vision.

A New Parish Vision? Why?

It isn’t about changing parish programs or structures but a call to renew the parish by returning to the essentials of Christian discipleship. The church should not merely be busy with activities, but deeply rooted in Christ through prayer, formation and mission. It is not about what new thing should we create, but how do we deepen was has already been entrusted to us?

The parish direction is based on 3 factors. Firstly, it should align to the priorities spelt out by the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan (lifelong formation, building communities, co-responsibility between clergy and laity, unity in diversity and synodality). Secondly, as St Mary’s has a Marian theme and also run by the Franciscan Friars, we should look at qualities that exemplifies the life of St. Francis and of our Blessed Mother: fraternity, humility and docility. And finally, we look to how we can build upon what previous parish priests have accomplished over the years.

How do we work towards this New Parish Vision?

The Parish Vision revolves around these 3 interconnected “Pillars”: Prayer, Formation and Mission.

1) PRAYER >>
Prayer is that living relationship of the children of God with the Father. Humility is the foundation of prayer, so that we can listen first to God, and not anyone else. Without prayer, we may just fill our time with activity. We are challenged to develop a genuine culture of prayer, not simply to begin meetings or events, but to shape them.

2) FORMATION >>
Formation is much more than just attending talks. Its purpose is not merely for information but for transformation as well. Let us guard against simply collecting theological knowledge without becoming more Christ-like. Instead we become proud, arrogant, critical and lacking in charity. True transformation changes our mind, heart and behaviour to be more like Christ.

3) MISSION >>
Mission naturally flows from prayer and formation and is not optional. The Church exists to evangelize. It begins inside the ministry and then spreads out of the parish. Mission includes charity, hospitality, collaboration, mentoring future leaders and reaching out to those outside our parish or faith.

These 3 pillars are interconnected:
Mission strengthens prayer. Prayer deepens formation. Formation enriches mission.
None can exist in isolation.

How may this shift in mindset look like?

Examples of Practical implications for ministries

Faith Formation: Not merely teaching information, but forming disciples.

Communications: Not merely producing videos, but helping people encounter Christ.

Liturgy: Not merely performing functions, but preserving a sense of the sacred.

Hospitality: No visitor should leave unnoticed. Hospitality itself is evangelization.

Outreach: Not merely giving material assistance, but encountering Christ in the poor.

Youth: Young people are not merely the future Church, but are the Church today.

As a parish, we are invited to place God back at the centre and journey forward together in three simple ways:

🙏Pray: Develop genuine prayer.

📖Form: Continually grow through formation.

🤝Go: Live mission through daily life.

In Summary…

Rather than introducing major structural changes, it is a call for a change of heart, keeping in mind that:

• Christ must remain at the centre of every ministry.

• Prayer is the foundation of all service.

• Formation should transform lives, not merely increase knowledge.

• Mission should naturally flow from prayer and formation.

• Ministries should move from simply doing church activities to forming missionary disciples.

• Leaders should intentionally foster collaboration, mentor future leaders, and help the parish become not just busy, but spiritually alive.

Let us work towards being a parish where people encounter Christ through prayer, authentic discipleship, loving community, and missionary outreach.

Parish Leaders Assembly 2026

Below are the video recordings of the Parish Assembly where Friar Esmond shares about the Parish Vision at the Parish Leaders Assembly in May 2026. Do watch for further elaboration and understanding on the points covered above.