Thriving Parishes Project Weekend at St. Mary Magdalene Mission
St. Mary Magdalene Mission, Atwater, CA | November 23-24, 2024
On Saturday, November 23, Priest Andrew Smith, Program Director for the Thriving Parishes Project, met with the Church Health Team of St. Mary Magdalene Mission in Atwater. The team worked into the early afternoon being trained in how to administer an evaluative parish health survey and how to address the findings.
The rector of St. Mary Magdalene Mission, Archpriest Lawrence Gaudreau, was feeling under the weather and so Fr. Andrew had the honor of serving Great Vespers on Saturday evening, as well as presiding at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning and giving the homily.
After Liturgy, Fr. Andrew gave a presentation on the Thriving Parishes Project to the whole community. The engaged parishioners posited many helpful clarifying questions.
Fr. Andrew mentioned to the group that he had visited the community before, when he was just a reader and administrative assistant for the Diocese. He accompanied Archbishop Benjamin on one of his archpastoral visits when the mission still met in a hospital chapel. Now, the parish has its very own church building, and a beautiful full-size iconostasis. Glory to God, who makes His creation grow and thrive!