Conversation Is Key To Success of Pastoral Planning Process
 

Conversation.

It’s the cornerstone of Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton, the project that will determine the future configuration of parishes.

Conversation is taking place now as members of Parish Core Teams discuss their demographics and the status of parish ministries, programs, facilities and finances.

Soon the conversation will widen to include Cluster Core Teams, comprised of the Parish Core Teams in a given geographic area, the already established Pastoral and Finance Councils for each parish, facilitators who will help parishes with the process, parish staff and all parishioners.

“The key to this process is an understanding of the issues at the grassroots level so that parishes can provide realistic input,” said Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G., project director of Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton.

In addition to the aforementioned groups, the process will involve a Diocesan Planning Commission composed of clergy, religious and lay representatives; the Presbyteral Council and other diocesan advisory groups.

Conversation at the Parish and Cluster level is the first of eight steps in the planning process. The remaining steps are: 

STEP #2 -- Suggestion of a particular Model (Consolidated, Linked, Partnership, In Solidum/Team) with a rationale to the Diocesan Planning Commission by the Cluster Core Team. (due by June 15, 2008) 

STEP #3 -- Preliminary Recommendation of the Diocesan Planning Commission with a rationale back to Cluster of Parishes. (completed by July 15, 2008) 

STEP #4 -- Conversation about the recommendation at the Cluster level.  

STEP #5 -- Response to the Diocesan Planning Commission of a particular Model with a rationale by the Cluster Team. (completed by October 1, 2008) 

STEP #6 -- Final Recommendation of the Diocesan Planning Commission with a rationale back to Cluster of Parishes. (completed by November 1, 2008) 

STEP #7 -- Decision by the Bishop after appropriate consultation based on the recommendations made to him by the Diocesan Planning Commission. (announced in January 2009) 

STEP #8 -- Implementation at the parish, cluster and diocesan level of all decisions made by the Bishop with needed support. (begins July 1, 2009) 

“The conversations that are occurring over the next several months at the parish and cluster levels will build the foundation for the balance of the process,” Monsignor Grimalia said. “It is important that all members of the parish are kept informed as this unfolds.”

He stressed that it is the responsibility of the Parish Core Teams to ensure that the necessary work is done in each parish and that communication and consultation involve the Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council, and all members of the parish.

In addition, information on the pastoral planning project will continue to appear in The Catholic Light, on CTV: Catholic Television, on the diocesan website at www.dioceseofscranton.org, and through inserts that will be sent to all pastors for inclusion in their church bulletins.