Odnowa duszpasterstwa i apostolstwa parafialnego w nauczaniu Jana Pawła II

Abstract

There is a natural and organic bond between the pastoral ministry and the apostolate. The pastoral ministry can function without apostolate and – on the other hand – if there is no pastoral ministry the apostolate can exist, however the latter separation weakens both activities. These two activities are closely related and have the same source: both arise from Christ’s priesthood, mature in the same ecclesiastical environment, connect and involve members of the Christian community. Of course, the pastoral ministry and the apostolate can choose a different approach for their life style. The main question is how to maintain and support such a special bond existing behem, so that they could create the two-poles integrated ecclesiastical activity. The coexistence and welcoming collaboration between pastoral ministry and apostolate decisively influence the imaging quality of the parish community and determine a success in every Church’s task; it should lead also to a universal responsibility for the evangelisation. The priests and the apostles need a “place” for their activity. It is a parish community in which a pastoral mission connects with an apostolic responsibility within the Church. The parish is an ordinary place to generate new vocations to the priesthood which require a communitarian feeling to grow.