SNELLVILLE--St. Oliver Plunkett Church held its first RENEW 2000 Mission Jan. 24-27, presenting to the community examples of personal faith and commitment to God based on the theme of the first RENEW Season and on daily life.

The mission team began organizing during the summer months, working from concept to production in creating a mission that was prayerful, invigorating, thoughtful, personal and full of sharing and gathering.

Each evening the program focused on two presentations by members of the parish community on topics relevant to “God, A Community of Love” and daily life. Each gave examples of ways individuals handle issues such as the demands of work schedules, child rearing in a Catholic home, forgiveness in the community, searching for meaning and rediscovering God.

Mission team members, dressed as saints, appeared throughout the mission and guided attendees’ thoughts toward the presentations. Moments of struggle in the lives of St. Andrew, St. Monica, St. Augustine and St. Cecilia were also highlighted when the saints each shared their thoughts aloud. The audience was moved to tears through a prayerful song of St. Cecilia, portrayed by Patti Byrne, singing her love for Jesus prior to her death. A bonfire, attended by the saints, was a special icon involved in that evening’s theme of reconciliation.

During the Family Life evening, all families came forward, receiving a parish RENEW 2000 candle and a blessing. The last mission evening was a special liturgical celebration involving all parishioners.

Small children participated in their own “mini-mission,” consisting of songs, coloring and storytelling relating to mission themes. Food and fellowship was sponsored by individual parish ministries each night after the presentations. More than 650 St. Oliver parishioners are involved in RENEW 2000.