St. Isidore Parish Consultation A Discussion for Parishioners on the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission’s Proposal on Ways to Strengthen Our Parishes

Opening Prayer (This prayer was used before every session of the Second Vatican Council) We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name. Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son. You desire justice for all; enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favor. Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true. As we gather in your name, may we temper justice with love, so that all our discussions and reflections may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. We ask this of You who live and reign with the Father and the Son, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Welcome and Thank You A series of Consultations to the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission (APPC); Round One on Principles – Pastors and Pastoral Staff Members; Round Two on Potential Groupings – Pastors and Pastoral Staff Members.

Now Round Three – A series of 20+ Consultations all across the Archdiocese with Pastoral and Finance Council Members. Town Hall Meetings with Parishioners

Consultation about What? A Way to Strengthen Parishes for a “new evangelization.”

Consultation to Whom? The Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Commission ---  20 members  Clergy and laity  From across the Archdiocese  Representing the interests and concerns of priests and parishioners.

A Little History APPC formed in January 2011 to review all data / research about situation of pastoral planning; Charged to come up with a pastoral planning recommendation to the Cardinal.

Highlights of findings thus far - Potential loss in the # of priests available for parish ministry in 10 years (346 to 180). Potential loss in the # of trained lay professional ministers (>60-80%). Loss of church participation – less than 16% of Catholics go to Church. 40% of parishes unable to pay bills from offertories – number growing.

Highlights of findings thus far - Inability to direct energy, resources, programs and personnel to young people/young adults. 39% of pew space on Sundays.

Strategic Priorities of the Cardinal Welcoming Catholics to a Conversion of Life; Growing the Church through a new evangelization; Strengthening our Parishes; Developing excellence in faith formation for all; Re-energizing Pastoral Leadership.

This Consultation A Proposal of the APPC on How to Strengthen Our Parishes

The APPC Given the factors and the forces around the country: What are other dioceses doing? What are the “best practices”? What has the Archdiocese done thus far? What should we not do? What should we do that can accelerate the new evangelization needed?

The APPC Proposal: What it is NOT! It is not a proposal to close parishes. It is not a proposal to merge parishes. It is not a proposal to close churches. It is not a proposal to restructure parishes.

The APPC Proposal: What it is It is a proposal to re-organize the way we serve parishes. It is a proposal to re-structure the way we minister to the pastoral needs of people in our parishes. It is a proposal about the way we train for and staff our parishes into the future.

The APPC Proposal: What it is. Another stage in the evolution of how we serve the pastoral needs of parishes- 1950’s – Pastor, senior curate, junior curates, nuns/sisters, janitor-maintenance. 1970’s – Pastor, fewer curates, fewer sisters, emergence of lay professional ministries. 2010’s – Pastor of multiple parishes, multiple staffs, multiple councils. (19% of our parishes!)

The APPC Proposal: What it is A Pastoral Collaborative A linkage of 2 or more parishes under the leadership of one pastor, served by one pastoral staff and advised by one pastoral council and one finance council.

Pastoral Collaborative Each parish retains its canonical identity as a parish; Each parish retains its obligations as a parish; No money flows back and forth between parishes in a PC; Each parish retains its customs and traditions.

Pastoral Collaborative: What’s Different? Served by one pastor; For the time being, served by assistant priests; Served by one pastoral staff; One parish pastoral council; One parish finance council.

How is the Staff Paid? Each parish is assessed a certain amount based on an allocated formula. The cost of the pastoral staff is shared. All other expenses of the parish are paid for from the regular income sources of the parish. For example, in a collaborative between St B and St C– the roof of St B’s is the financial obligation of St. B’s.

How was the proposal for PC groupings made? Wanted to come to you with something substantial. Steps: ◦ What’s the vision – goal in mind? ◦ What are reasonable criteria for grouping parishes for a new serving model? ◦ Developed, reviewed, debated and finally came up with a list of 10 criteria. ◦ Applied the 10 criteria. ◦ Focus and test groups. (SHARE THE CRITERIA)

Another part of the proposal… When a new Pastoral Collaborative is formed, the pastor of this PC is not one of the original pastors. Why? Avoid “win/lose.” This is a PROPOSAL, as well!

The Groupings After a round of consultations on the principles; A round of consultations with pastors and pastoral staff on the groupings themselves.

Where are we now? The idea/proposal is out there. We want feedback! What’s right? What’s wrong? Why? Do you have a better idea?

What’s to remember? No closing of parishes or churches in this proposal. Parishes retain their identity and their assets. This proposal is about a new way of serving parishes. This is a PROPOSAL. No done deal. The APPC still has 4 other mission initiatives to research and review. Any implementation will likely be done gradually and organically, phased in over time. (This will not happen tomorrow!)