I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be His people and God Himself will always be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, the old order has passed away.” The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then He said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5)

All Things New, the archdiocese’s strategic pastoral planning initiative, derives its name from this passage from Scripture. It signifies the welcoming of beginning things anew, while also speaking to the belief that God is with us and desires ongoing renewal of the Church, including among individuals, parishes, ministries and the archdiocese as a whole.

In writing this passage in the Book of Revelation, the St. John the Apostle tells us that God will make our relationship with Him new and glorious. That is what he means when he writes: “He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them.”

All Things New gives us the opportunity to look inward and consider how we’re evangelizing to others. In other words: How are we bringing the Gospel message of Jesus to the world?

In a letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul wrote, “So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

These words serve as an inspiration to us as we contemplate the future of our Church in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. We pray that God helps us to make all things new and, in the process renews our hearts so that we may draw closer to Him and share His love with the world.