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Questions and Answers Illuminate Pastoral Planning Project 

The Dec. 13, 2007 issue of The Catholic Light contained a pastoral letter from Bishop Martino and a news story announcing a comprehensive planning project that will focus on the spiritual and pastoral renewal of the Diocese of Scranton. Following are questions and answers about the project.
 

1.  WHY IS THE CALLED TO HOLINESS AND MISSION PARISH PLANNING PROJECT NECESSARY?

The status quo regarding parish life in the 224 current parishes in the Diocese of Scranton is no longer sustainable. Demographic shifts are creating new needs. Priests cannot continue to be expected to serve more and more parishes and remain healthy in mind, body and spirit. Financial viability and the needed up-keep of buildings is a concern in some areas.

Bishop Martino has asked all parishes to suggest ways to the Planning Commission that they might be configured in the future to make the best use of all resources and to enhance ministry at the local level.

 

 2.  WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR CALLED TO HOLINESS AND MISSION?

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.

 

3.  ARE ALL PARISHES IMPACTED?

Bishop Martino has the expectation that all parishes will be part of the “Called to Holiness and Mission” process. In his December 13 pastoral letter to all Catholics in the Diocese of Scranton the Bishop states: “Every parish of the Diocese will participate in this Diocesan Pastoral Planning process.” Various possibilities may emerge:       

·         A parish may discover that the mission of the parish is compromised by being too small or that with its limited resources it cannot accomplish its mission.

·         A parish might come to the awareness of a need to become consolidated with another parish and become a new canonical parish with one pastor.

·         Other parishes may come to the awareness of the advantage of being linked with another parish and share a common pastor and resources.

·         Other parishes will come to see the advantages of entering into partnership with another parish, each having their own proper pastor but now sharing resources and working together.

 

 4.  WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE MODELS FOR PARISH ORGANIZATION?

 There are four major models for parishes of the future. 

MODEL ONE: CONSOLIDATED PARISH

Consolidated parishes create a new parish configuration which is able to provide many more activities and opportunities than the original parishes could have managed on their own. The consolidation process allows parishes to:

1. Use priestly leadership more effectively so that more communities can celebrate the sacraments regularly. (By having fewer parishes, more people will be served without burdening the priests who are currently serving parishes);

2. Join forces to form a larger, more vibrant worshipping community;

3. Reduce overhead, and use resources more effectively and efficiently. 

When done sensitively and cooperatively, the consolidation of parishes will ordinarily create a more viable parish situation. A consolidated parish happens when:

·         Two or more parishes come together to form one new parish.

·         A new name is given to the parish which may be a brand new name or a combination of the former parish names. Usually the new parish has one worship site, but permission may be given for several worship sites for a limited time period.

 

MODEL TWO: LINKED PARISHES

Many parishes are already linked in the Diocese of Scranton. Linked parishes happen when two or more parishes share a pastor. Linked parishes do as many things as possible cooperatively especially given that the pastor/administrator is striving to serve two or more separate parishes. Characteristics of linked parishes include:

  • The parishes remain independent corporations and canonical entities.
  • The parishes are separate communities of faith.
  • The parishes are encouraged to work toward combining Parish Pastoral Council meetings and to establishing common committees where possible.
  • According to Canon Law, linked parishes must have separate finance councils.
  • Linked parishes do many things cooperatively, such as programs and in-services.
  • Joint staff meetings where cooperative planning happens are marks of well functioning linked parishes.

 

MODEL THREE: PARTNERSHIP-PARISHES

Parishes enter into partnerships with other parishes when:

  • They create joint programs.
  • When appropriate, they share staff to enhance the quality of ministry and practice good stewardship of resources.
  • They share in-services or retreats for parish pastoral councils, finance councils, or parish committees.

 

      Examples of ways parishes can partner include:

  • A common catechetical program
  • A shared youth ministry program or adult formation program
  • Support for a common Catholic School
  • A joint RCIA program
  • A shared parish outreach program

 

The key to successful partnership-parishes is an attitude of cooperation which results in finding opportunities for sharing resources to enhance the quality of ministry in each parish. Partnership-parishes also work together, where possible, on “twinning” with inner city parishes or in support of a mission parish outside of the United States.

 

MODEL FOUR: TO PASTOR IN SOLIDUM (TEAM)

This model envisions two or more priests working as a team and serving three or more parishes. The canonical team (priests) often works closely with deacons and lay people as part of a pastoral team.

 

5.  HOW WILL PARISHES BE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS?

Pastors are asked to appoint a core team of five people (pastor plus four) to help them guide the planning process, which has eight steps.      

1. Conversation at the Parish and Cluster level evaluating the current reality and looking at the future (January – June 2008)

2. Suggestion of Model with rationale to Diocesan Planning Commission by the Cluster (Due June 15, 2008)

3. Preliminary Recommendation of Diocesan Planning Commission back to Cluster of Parishes (By July 31, 2008)

4. Conversation about the recommendation at the Cluster level (August – September 2008)

5. Response to the Diocesan Planning Commission (By October 1, 2008)

6. Final Recommendations of the Diocesan Planning Commission to Bishop Martino (By November 1, 2008)

7. Decision by the Bishop based on the Recommendations made to him by the Diocesan Planning Commission (January 2009)

8. Implementation (Begins July 2009) 

Throughout the process there will be many ways for parishioners to be involved in the process such as town hall meetings, parish assemblies, committee work, focus groups, etc.

 

6.  WILL OUR INVOLVEMENT IN CALLED TO HOLINESS AND MISSION  REALLY CHANGE ANYTHING? HASN’T EVERYTHING BEEN DECIDED ALREADY?

While the status quo is no longer sustainable, parishes have the responsibility to participate in the process and to explore viable ways to work together in accordance with the goals of the process. Parish leaders and parishioners are asked to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to commit to a process of conversation and reflection. No decisions have been made about the future of any parish in the Diocese of Scranton. Bishop Martino will make decisions after he has the recommendations of the Diocesan Planning Commission.

 

7.    WHO IS ON THE DIOCESAN PLANNING COMMISSION?

The Diocesan Planning Commission has been appointed by Bishop Martino and consists of the following priests, deacons, Religious and lay people:

Msgr. Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G., Chairman; Msgr. Joseph C. Bambera, Co-Vice Chair; Mrs. Elaine Geroulo, Co-Vice Chair; Msgr. John J. Bendik; Father Gregory T. Finn, O.S.J.; Sister Jane Gaughan, I.H.M.; Joseph T. Girio; Deacon Edward T.  Kelly, Co- Secretary; Michael C. Kilmer ; Father Joseph R. Kopacz, V.G.; Father Glenn E.  McCreary; Maurice F. Meagher; Neil Oberto; Father Richard J. Polmounter; Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn; Father August A.  Ricciardi; Deacon Joseph S. Roinick, Co-Secretary; Father Robert   J. Simon; Mrs. Mary Lou Zaleski.

The work of the Diocesan Planning Commission will be supported by various members of the Diocesan staff as required.

 

8.  MANY IN OUR PARISH HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED, MARRIED, AND  BURIED FROM OUR CHURCH. HOW CAN YOU EVEN DISCUSS  CLOSING A CHURCH SO IMPORTANT TO THE FAMILY HERITAGE OF SO MANY PEOPLE?

This is a sensitive and important question. Each parish community has a proud and meaningful history. This history is personal and significant for each person and community.

At the same time, many things have changed since the decisions years ago regarding where parishes and schools would be located. Good stewardship of resources and the ability to provide quality pastoral care to Catholics and others in need require our Church to determine the best ways to use all its resources and to enhance ministry at the local level throughout the many counties in the Diocese of Scranton.

The discussions must go forward with as much participation as possible, so we can discover a new way of being Church that also remembers and celebrates the past.

 

9.  WHAT HAPPENS TO A CHURCH THAT IS CLOSED? WILL THE DIOCESE DEMOLISH THE CHURCH AND SELL OFF THE PROPERTY TO SOME DEVELOPER?

     No decisions have been made about closing any churches at this time. What has been decided is to initiate Called to Holiness and Mission, where parishes are invited to evaluate themselves according to the Criteria set up by the Diocesan Planning Commission. When parishes consolidate they form a new parish (see question 4, model 1) and all the assets and liabilities usually go to the newly formed parish, not to the Diocese of Scranton. It is possible that on designated occasions a particular church, which is not the primary worship site for the new parish, may be used for Mass or funerals or weddings. No properties are sold without the Bishop’s permission, which is sought by the pastor of the newly formed parish.

 

 10.  WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA THE DIOCESAN PLANNING COMMISSION WILL BE USING TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS?

The Diocesan Planning Commission will use the same criteria in its recommendations that the parishes and cluster of parishes use to evaluate themselves. From that evaluation of the current reality and the initial planning for the future, the clusters will make a suggestion on how they might be configured in the future. The criteria used by both the parishes, the clusters and the Planning Commission follow.

 

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 as well as the larger church and global society.

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

 

Evangelization, Education and Formation

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

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

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

 

Vocation

1. 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.

2. 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

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

2. Social justice, advocacy and outreach programs are well integrated into parish life in the spirit of good stewardship.

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

 

Stewardship and Administration

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

11.    HOW WILL CALLED TO HOLINESS AND MISSION IMPACT SCHOOLS?

 Part of the process of Called to Holiness and Mission includes respecting the planning already completed for Catholic schools. The Diocesan schools will be supported in terms of Catholic identity, accreditation, excellent curricular experiences, along with parental and parish support. Every effort will be made to make sure Catholic schools are accessible, available and affordable throughout the Diocese of Scranton.

 

12.  WHY WAS THE REID GROUP HIRED?

 Bishop Martino hired The Reid Group, a nationally recognized church consulting firm, to help the Diocese of Scranton plan for the future. The group’s mission is to help leaders and organizations transform challenges into opportunities to create a better world. They are successfully doing this currently by assisting with parish planning in the Archdiocese of Newark, the Diocese of Madison, and the Diocese of Green Bay. They also have an effective record of planning in the Archdiocese of Anchorage and the Dioceses of Manchester, New Hampshire; Orange, California; and Reno, Nevada.