Questions and Answers About the Preliminary Recommendations
 

Since 1995, in response to demographic shifts and other factors, the majority of dioceses in the United States have made structural changes to their parishes. They have engaged in pastoral planning processes that seek input from parishioners.

Listening is an essential component of Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton. The most fruitful listening consists of authentic prayer and respectful dialogue in order to discern God’s direction for the future configuration of parishes in our Diocese. It also involves recognition and study of assumptions, goals, criteria and facts such as the declining number of priests and declining number of parishioners.

The Reid Group is helping to facilitate the pastoral planning process, but the suggestions for parish reconfiguration came from the parish core and cluster teams, and the subsequent preliminary recommendations were made by the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Commission after prayer, study and conversation.

Bulletin and pulpit announcements and parish-wide conversations have been used and continue to be necessary to provide information to the parishioners and to listen to their responses not only in the first three steps of the pastoral planning process but also in steps four and five (conversation and response to the preliminary recommendations).

At recent regional meetings to prepare for steps four and five, the importance of prayer, sharing information, and conversation on the parish and cluster level was strongly emphasized. John Reid noted that all parishioners are invited and encouraged to express their ideas.

Based on this feedback, the parish and cluster core teams will share their best thinking accompanied by rationales when making a response to the preliminary recommendations of the Diocesan Planning Commission.

“This is a time for a fresh look at possibilities,” Mr. Reid said.

Some of the questions and answers from the regional meetings provide insight at this stage of the process. 

1. We have been told over and over again that decisions to consolidate parishes have not been made yet. However, in the media we see that some parishes are holding a “last Mass.” This is creating cynicism. What is going on?

When the Called to Holiness and Mission project began in January 2008, some parishes were already in the process of consolidation (e.g. Pittston, Freeland, etc.). Their work and decisions were respected and the consolidation process continued, which is why you see the coverage in the news. The Diocese does not control the secular media, and so all of us must focus our efforts on developing and implementing a good communication plan in our parishes so that people are not confused or cynical. 

2. The preliminary recommendations were said to be based in part on numbers. What about the facility assessments that are being done for our parishes – won’t that information count?

Yes, the results of the facility assessments will be used by the clusters in preparing their responses and by the Planning Commission in developing their final recommendations.  

3. Why were preliminary recommendations made about which parish buildings would remain open prior to the facility assessments being reviewed?

Many parish statistics were reviewed by the Planning Commission when the preliminary recommendations were made back to the clusters as their best thinking at that point in time. All clusters are now engaged in the conversation and response phases of the process and should include the results of the facility assessment to reflect their best thinking. 

4. When are the facility assessments due, and will the cluster committees receive the results?

The facility assessment results are due by September 1 and will be shared, at least in summary form, with all members of the respective cluster committees. 

5. Can a cluster rethink its suggestion based on the facility assessment results when the response to the planning commission is submitted?

Yes. Every option can be considered as the process continues. 

6. Some of the preliminary recommendations have parishes partnering with a parish not currently in their cluster. What are they supposed to do?

All cluster groups should remain together through the conversation and response phase, which lasts until October 1. There are a few preliminary recommendations that do refer to parishes connecting with parishes from other clusters and even other regions. Each cluster group involved in such a situation is expected to discuss whether or not they want to endorse that preliminary recommendation and the rationale. Then there can be a small task force set up from the two parishes to meet and explore the pros and cons. The task force members must report back to their respective clusters by September 20 at the latest for inclusion in their own responses in both cluster reports. 

7. What does “additional worship site” mean?

A parish refers to people in a particular geographic area, while a worship site refers to a church building or chapel. After considering a number of factors including parish households, population changes, distance between parishes and Mass attendance, the Planning Commission in several instances determined that a second or third worship site for occasional Masses, weddings and funerals may be needed for a period of time.  

8. If a parish site is closing, but the church serves a school for sacramental celebrations, what is the school to do?

This is the kind of issue that should be addressed in the response to the preliminary recommendation back to the Planning Commission. 

9. If a parish is recommended as one that will be consolidating, what are the Parish Core and Cluster Teams supposed to share with their fellow parishioners?

The first thing to share is that consolidation means two or more current parish communities working together to form a new parish community at a particular site. This new entity will usually have a new name as well. You can also share information with your parish community about the suggestion, the preliminary recommendation and the rationale. Then, seek feedback from the community to help in developing your cluster response. Be careful to assure folks that no decision has been made and that the preliminary recommendations are not final. We are now in Steps 4 and 5 of an 8-Step process. It is imperative that we allow as many opportunities for communication as possible. 

10. Is a "linked parish" still a viable model or does the Planning Commission frown on this model and prefer consolidation?

Linked parishes are one of four possible models for future parish configurations. Sixteen linkages are part of the preliminary recommendations. The key factor is what model best responds to the project goals and criteria. 

11. If a preliminary recommendation from the Planning Commission stated that the action will take place over a certain period of time, such as three years, can the cluster begin to plan like they have three years or might that be changed when the final plan comes out?

Understanding that Step 7 of our 8-Step process calls for decisions to be made by Bishop Martino after appropriate consultation based on the final recommendations of the Planning Commission, it is important to realize that the time periods recommended to date may not be approved. The cluster core committees are asked to share their best thinking in the response they submit to the Planning Commission. 

12. Some in the public believe that if a worship site was determined by the planning commission, that’s where the site will be. Is this the case?

Mindful of the fact that there are 8 steps in our planning process, it is critical to also remember that all worship site recommendations are tentative pending the results of the facility assessments, the Cluster Response to the preliminary recommendations made by the Planning Commission, the final recommendations by the Planning Commission to the Bishop, and then the final decision that is made by the Bishop. 

13. If a cluster core committee agrees with the Planning Commission’s preliminary recommendation, what should they do?

The committee must still complete the Cluster Recommendation Response Form (the “lavender form”) and indicate whether they agree or disagree with the preliminary recommendation and their rationale. The rationale should be described where it says “The Why” on the form and make reference to all the recommendations, the goals and criteria for Called to Holiness and Mission, and/or the preferred future from the cluster evaluations.

14. With the diminishing number of priests, what steps can we take to ensure that the Church has enough priests, religious and laity participation to serve the parishioners?

We need to do all we can to encourage vocations to the priesthood, religious life and lay apostolate in the Church. This needs to be a higher priority in our parishes. We must assist our priests, religious and laity as they serve the Church; at the same time we need to adhere to Canon Law regarding the roles of each of these groups. 

15. Why were all the clusters recommended to develop a new Mass schedule and what does a robust celebration mean?

Every cluster needs to examine what Mass schedule will best serve the local community while also respecting the priest resources available. A robust celebration is one that combines full, conscious and active internal and external participation by Catholics with a large and stable community, leading to a prayerful liturgical celebration. On May 25, 1967, the Vatican issued an Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery, in which statement #26 reads: “As regards the time and number of Masses to be celebrated in parishes, the good of the parish community should be kept in mind and the number of Masses should not be so multiplied as to weaken the effectiveness of the pastoral effort. One example would be if through the great number of Masses, only small groups of the faithful were to come to each of the Masses in a Church that can hold a great number of people. Another example would be if, for the same reason, the priests were so overburdened by their work as to make it difficult for them to fulfill their ministry adequately.” 

16. Do some parishes have “special status” and does a territorial parish receive preference over a personal or ethnic parish?

No. The goals and the criteria of the project matter, as do population trends and the size, age, and condition of parish buildings. The concept of “special status” did not enter into the Planning Commission’s conversation. 

17. How do pastors and couples schedule weddings beyond July 2009 knowing that the potential exists for some parishes to no longer be in existence or some churches to no longer be available?

It is most important for couples and pastors to listen to each other during this time. Couples can be assured that there will always be a parish church to welcome them and to celebrate the sacrament of marriage with them. Even when parishes are consolidated and worship sites are closed there will always be a pastor and a "new" parish to honor their wedding plans. Couples might try and identify at least two options. Couples can also expect that they will be given a firm commitment of time and location by February 1, 2009. 

18. When Bishop Martino makes his final decisions, will there be support provided to help with implementation issues?

Yes, support will be provided to help with developing plans for successful implementation and addressing all the key issues.