Year of Unity

In the One, we are one.

This year, Our Lady of Divine Providence is focusing on deepening spiritual unity across our five churches, our schools, and shared mission as one Family of Parishes in the Body of Christ.

Fr. Henry Hoffmann, our pastor, introduces the Year of Unity.

In the One, we are one.

A natural build on our progress as our churches come together, the Year of Unity is an intentional theme to focus and guide our efforts as a Family of Parishes during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

By purposefully praying for and reflecting on our shared Catholic identity and baptism into the one Body of Christ, we hope to build deeper spiritual unity as a Family.

Long-term benefits

We as Catholics are called to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission to proclaim the Good News and make disciples:

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

A stronger, more unified Family of Parishes makes our individual testimonies that much more powerful in our community.

Why now?

Through prayerful discernment, the OLODP Family Leadership Team and Family Pastoral Council determined that this Year of Unity will naturally prepare our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit for the upcoming Family Unity Discernment process (FUD) in 2027.

FUD is a process facilitated by the Archdiocesan Center for Parish Vitality and requested by Archbishop Casey. FUD has been designed to synodally discern the best use of Family resources (buildings, revenue, staff, etc.) towards meeting the mission of bringing the Gospel to our communities.

What can I do?

Pray

St. Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians (4:3-6), “[Strive] to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”

You are especially invited to pray the Prayer for Unity below. But any prayer helps!

Participate

We have a plethora of upcoming opportunities across the Family of Parishes to deepen your relationship with Christ and take part in fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission.

The first opportunity to participate is to sign up for a shift at the new Family of Parishes Prayer Booth at the Summer Festival at St. Bartholomew. Click the button below for more information.

prayer booth sign ups

Reflect

Consider how you currently share your gifts of time, talent, and treasure with our Family of Parishes. How is God asking you to serve Him right now? Is the generosity of the Lord mirrored in your generosity to Him?

Stay tuned for more opportunities to pray, participate, and reflect. It’s going to be a great year!

Prayer for Unity

God, You alone have the power to unite Your children. You cleanse sinful hearts, heal broken families, and bring divided nations back to You.

Help me remember Your ability to bring us together and Your desire for unity. Please mend the divisions within me and in the world around us. Help me to remember that I am part of Your body—the Catholic Church. Help me take my role in it seriously, knowing that my choices reflect how Your Church is perceived.

Use me to bring hope, love, and joy to the world, and empower me to build others up. Bring revival to Your people, so that Your body can represent You authentically and powerfully.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You are welcome to use these scriptural references to unity in your prayers:

  • No, the Year of Unity is a theme specific to OLODP that was prayerfully discerned by the Family Leadership Team and Family Pastoral Council. Think of it as a strategic priority for our Family of Parishes for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

  • The Year of Unity is a theme specific to our Family of Parishes. It was not directed by Beacons of Light, but rather prayerfully discerned outside of Beacons of Light by our Family Leadership Team and Family Pastoral Council.

    The Family Unity Discernment (FUD) process is meant to assist Families of Parishes determine how best to use their physical, financial, and personnel resources going forward. It is a process directed by the Archdiocese. You can learn more about FUD on the Archdiocese website.

  • The Archdiocese Center for Parish Vitality, after consultation with Archbishop Casey, will facilitate the Family Unity Discernment (FUD) process with all families of parishes. You can learn more about FUD on the Archdiocese website.

  • The Family Leadership Team (FLT) is comprised of our priests, staff directors, and liaisons from the Archdiocese:

    • Fr. Henry Hoffmann, Pastor

    • Fr. Ron Haft, Parochial Vicar

    • Fr. George Jacquemin, Parochial Vicar

    • Mr. Marc Webb, Director of Administration

    • Mrs. Randi Hom, Director of Evangelization

    • Mrs. Danielle Meineke, Director of Communications

    • Mr. Paul Rieger, Beacons of Light Liaison

    • Mr. Mike Geiger, Beacons of Light Liaison

  • The Family Pastoral Council (FPC) is comprised of leadership and parishioners from the parishes in our Family. This council functions as a consulting body to the pastor, representing the interests of their respective parishioners.

    • Clergy
      Fr. Henry Hoffmann, Pastor
      Fr. Ron Haft, Parochial Vicar
      Fr. George Jacquemin, Parochial Vicar

    • Assumption
      Bob Lachmann
      Lynn Schultz

    • St. Bartholomew
      Joe Arnold
      Joy Niehaus
      Ken Radziwon

    • St. Bernard
      Vacant

    • St. Clare
      Lisa Doxsee, Chair
      Marita Hartel

    • St. Vivian
      Tom Ewing
      Denise McCabe

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