How the Preliminary Recommendations Were Determined

The goals and criteria of Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton are the foundation of the preliminary recommendations issued by the Diocesan Planning Commission.

“There are many factors that impact the parishes, and these were considered and studied thoroughly. But all of our deliberations and discussions were centered on the goals and criteria that were established at the beginning to provide a common focus for all pastoral planning,” said Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G., project director.

In some cases, the suggestions made by the Cluster Core Teams were affirmed as submitted. In other cases, the Planning Commission respectfully disagreed with the suggestions and asked the Cluster Core Teams to engage in further prayer, study and reflection in light of the goals and criteria of Called to Holiness and Mission.

In addition, the Planning Commission made four general recommendations that would apply to all clusters:

·         The rich ethnic heritage of the people should be honored and celebrated whenever appropriate.

·         A new Mass schedule should be developed that reflects good stewardship of priestly resources and maximizes opportunities for larger assemblies to provide a more robust celebration of the liturgy.

·         The Preliminary Recommendations and rationale should be shared with each parish community, and their questions and feedback should be sought on an ongoing basis now through September.

·         Upon reception of the Bishop’s directives in 2009, an Implementation Team for each cluster should be established to design ways to fulfill the directives.

“Every single suggestion from the Cluster Core Teams was taken seriously and discussed at length by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission then offered its best thinking with a rationale for all 50 clusters,” said John Reid of The Reid Group, the national consulting firm that is helping to facilitate the planning project.

The Planning Commission, he added, also took seriously the toll on one pastor ministering to multiple parishes, having multiple meetings, recruiting multiple volunteers, etc. The responsible stewardship of human, financial and facilities resources was a primary consideration.

In a number of cases, the Planning Commission built upon the clusters’ desire to share and partner, and said that it makes more sense to do all that as a consolidated parish or as linked parishes.

“The Planning Commission worked hard to apply a similar standard across the Diocese, and to be fair without favoring any particular parishes or areas,” Mr. Reid said.

All of the preliminary recommendations and the preceding work of the Parish Core Teams, Cluster Core Teams and Diocesan Planning Commission are based on the following goals and criteria:

GOALS FOR THE CALLED TO HOLINESS AND MISSION PROJECT

The parish planning project for the Diocese of Scranton is inspired by the following goals:

1.      To foster the personal and communal holiness of Catholics and support them to deepen their commitment in living out the mission of the Church.

2.      To enhance quality parish life throughout the Diocese of Scranton.

3.      To strengthen the presence and ministry of the Church in the urban, suburban and rural areas of the four regions and eleven counties.

4.      To increase collaboration between and among leaders, parishes and the whole Diocese of Scranton.

5.      To act as good stewards of all human, financial and facility resources.

6.      To support increased understanding of and action for the assumptions and criteria related to vibrant parish life.

7.      To build a greater sense of unity within the rich ethnic, cultural and generational diversity present within the local Church.

8.      To work on the deanery, vicariate and diocesan wide revitalization.

CALLED TO HOLINESS AND MISSION PROJECT

CRITERIA FOR USE IN THE PLANNING PROCESS

Eucharist, Prayer and Communion

1. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the life and mission of the parish.

2. Sacramental celebrations and devotional practices reflect the cultural heritage of the people assembled.

3. Disciples are formed by the Eucharist who support and are in communion with parish members, the diocese and the Church universal.

4. A spirit of communion encourages co-responsibility and a collaborative style of leadership where all are valued and respected.

Evangelization, Formation and Education

5. Evangelization is recognized as an essential aspect of the life and mission of the parish.

6. The parish provides excellent catechetical/formational experiences for all ages.

7. The parish actively encourages and supports diocesan Catholic schools in their operation and mission.

Vocation

8. Parishioners are encouraged to cultivate a culture of vocation in the parish and are educated to “live their lives as a vocation” (Pope Benedict XVI) to holiness and mission. 

9. Formation and education in vocational awareness is an integral part of the parish catechetical programs and the religious formation program in the Catholic school.

Stewardship and Justice

10. Parishioners are educated and formed in stewardship where all disciples share their time, talent and treasure.

11. Social justice, advocacy and outreach programs are well integrated into parish life through the spirituality of good stewardship.

12. A comprehensive view of being good stewards of God’s gifts: of creation and of the Church is embodied in all aspects of parish life.

Stewardship and Administration

13. The pastor, staff, parish councils and finance councils exert effective leadership that embodies stewardship and points to the future.

14. The parish is financially stable and exercises good stewardship of its resources.

15. Working with neighboring parishes and sharing resources is operational in the parish.

16. The parish exercises good stewardship of human resources as it works positively and creatively with the diminishing number of priests.

17. The parish is taking into account its geographic proximity to other parishes and its Mass attendance when it plans for the future.

18. The parish has adequate staff to carry out its mission.

19. The parish has adequate and well-maintained facilities to carry out its mission.

20. The parish supports the programs and ministries of the diocese and the Church universal.