Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As previously noted in the bulletin, our ACC All Things New committee has been instituted and has begun meeting. Since Easter, we have had a couple additional meetings locally, and another larger meeting with the other committees of the Eastern Deanery led by representatives from the diocesan planning office. A major part of what we have done is begun to look at different options for our area that would meet the parameters given to us by the diocese. This has been a lot of work and a lot to consider in developing even a very rough draft of a plan – and no plan the committee puts together can be complete without consultation of the people of the parishes who know the situation the best. It sounds like the diocesan guidebook for the All Things New pastoral planning process will be made public soon, and then we can begin wider discussions on what it entails.

 

Remember that this Planning Process has begun at the behest of the diocesan bishop who points out that demographics have drastically changed in our diocese since most of these churches were founded. There are far fewer Catholics and far fewer priests, and continuing to go on as though things had not changed would only continue to make things worse for both people and priests in the diocese. Our diocese has just over 50 diocesan priests (with about 10 religious priests) serving 131 parishes. This last year alone, we had four priests need to step away from ministry for a while because of issues largely related to the stress they face. When that is happening and we are already not ordaining priests at a replacement rate (more retire than are ordained), it means something has to change.

 

This process is not just to help the priests though. With fewer parishioners, and fewer volunteers and workers, it means more and more is being put on fewer and fewer people. Parishes struggle to even get volunteers to lector, serve, or otherwise minister at weekly Mass, let alone volunteer to help with fundraisers, service projects, or other events. We must also recognize that parish life has also largely suffered from having to “share” the pastor with other churches. Part of the goal of the planning process is to bring communities together. Instead of having isolated silos which might not be able to incorporate all aspects of parish life on their own, we could have larger communities with more people working together. 

 

To accomplish that big picture, however, we need a plan. It is true that for new things to begin there often have to be endings – and that can be difficult, and it can involve pain or grief. For the plan to be any good, it needs to address those issues, acknowledge the sacrifices, and minimize the sufferings so that we can all respond in the grace of God, trusting that He will bring us through our trials to the glory He has waiting for us.

 

Everyone in the parish has a part in the plan. Continued prayer is perhaps the most helpful and important at this time, but parishioner involvement in feedback, thoughts, and ideas will be coming soon to help us craft a final draft (or drafts) that can be presented to the bishop.

Peace in Christ,
Father Timothy