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In August word spread throughout the archdiocese that our parishes would be involved in yet another planning process. As a busy summer was winding down and parish staffs were gearing up for the opening of school, religious education programs and other annual programs, the materials for planning began arriving via e-mail from the central offices. It was enough to make pastors’ and staffs’ heads spin! Ready or not, the rush to plan was on.
A series of informative bulletin inserts kicked-off the deluge of information. Training sessions helped parish planning core teams get acquainted with the materials, the goals of this planning cycle and the processes for parishes to use. The timeline was incredibly short. Core teams pleaded for more time to do the process well. The time line gained an extra month.
The Planning Conference on September 27 was a great event. Archbishop Dolan’s talk was both challenging and inspiring. Most agreed, after the archbishop’s talk, the next best part of the day was the district sessions. It was so good to talk with and hear from each other what possibilities were being considered for the future. Some parish core teams discovered for the first time what their neighboring parishes were up to! For others, it was a meeting of old friends and trusted partners.
It’s obvious, no one needs to be hit over the head. We “get it.” The priest shortage is not a figment of anyone’s imagination. We are all experiencing it to some degree. But the effects of the shortage go deeper than how many Sunday Masses are celebrated at any given parish each weekend. The shortage carries good news with the bad news. And there is probably more GOOD than bad!
We stand like those first apostles and disciples after Jesus’ resurrection. This partnership of priests, deacons and laity (common priesthood of the baptized) share the same mandate. It is up to all of us to find ways to effectively evangelize as Jesus did, to serve as Jesus served, to be in relationship with God and one another, growing the Church. Like the apostles, we must get ready for some major adjustments. How will we keep the mission of Jesus alive and well? What do we need to be thinking about?
Regarding our priests:
- What expectations do we have for our pastor’s involvement in parish life?
- Which things can only an ordained priest do?
- What things does the priest do that a non-ordained person with some training could do?
- How/does a pastor experience friendship and community within his parish?
- How does the prayer of the community “feed” his soul? Support his spirit?
Regarding those other than priests involved in parish ministry:
- How many lay ministers, salaried and volunteer, share aspects of the ministry activity in your parish?
- What would it take to maintain and grow your parish whether or not a priest was the designated pastoral leader? We have over a10-year history of parish directors appointed by the archbishop serving as the person in charge of a parish.
- What could/does your parish do to encourage and support church-related careers to ordained priesthood, diaconate and lay professional ministry?
Regarding you:
- What would it take for you to share in the work/ministry of your parish? What kind of encouragement? Preparation and training?
- What would you have to gain by sharing in the ministry of your parish?
- What do you have to lose by waiting for “somebody else” to step up?
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