"The Blue Sheet” is also available in the foyer of the church and in the main lobby of the Community Center. A weekly edition will be available throughout the coming year. “The Blue Sheet” contains the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday, a short reflection, several questions for consideration/discussion and a brief prayer. It is available for families to use together, for small groups, and for parish organizations and ministries to use as a common prayer format when they meet during the coming year. It is a simple tool to help as many of us as possible do some reflecting on the Sunday Gospel ahead of time, so that we are better conditioned to hear it at Mass with a heightened awareness. If all the organizations, ministries, small groups – and even households and individuals – have done some reflecting during the week, then the Sunday Gospel might speak with a greater impact and might be heard from a new perspective that we or others have opened up. And if several hundred parishioners come to Sunday liturgy prepared with that kind of readiness, then we are more likely to be “on the same page” and reinforcing a communal growth in faith together.

“The Blue Sheet” is a borrowed idea. Variations are available in many publications and on many websites; the practice is common in other parishes around the country, especially in small church communities. Last Fall our Pastoral Council invited Mr. Bill Huebsch, a catechist and author, to come and speak with us about life-long faith formation when he was in town to address the Diocesan Educational Conference. Bill suggested “The Blue Sheet” as a simple way of getting as many parishioners as possible thinking about the same topic at the same time – and thus assisting one another and the entire community in a simple method of life-long faith formation. The latter is a concept that the Council has been studying for some time looking for ways to extend the educational mission of the parish. The impetus comes from our Vision Statement. Although continuing education is a popular concept in secular society, it does not have the same appeal within churches. We at STM are blessed with many opportunities for adult faith formation but attendance is generally from a familiar nucleus. The bulk of parishioners do not have the time or cannot take advantage of the offerings. Many, honestly, do not feel the need and are content with growth in faith through personal prayer and weekly liturgy.

“The Blue Sheet” is simply an easy and accessible tool for more people to use. Hopefully, it will get more and more of us thinking and reflecting together (sharing the discussion is the ideal) so that the body of the parish has a chance to offer their own insights, thoughts, ideas and questions flowing from the Scripture readings and applying the Word of God to contemporary life in today’s world. We hope that each parish organization or group that meets during the year will begin with “The Blue Sheet” as its opening prayer. It will likely take a few more minutes, and a few times of practice, to get everyone comfortable. Families can do it at home and individuals can do it with friends. Let’s give it a try and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.