March 13, 2009
Progress report on ‘Excellent Parishes Demonstration Project’
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
“It’s no secret that the Catholic Church in the United States is facing substantial challenges,” said C. Justin Clements, diocesan director of Stewardship and Development. He cited nationwide examples of “declining Mass attendance and eroding parish incomes, a shortage of priests coupled with the dynamics of parish clusterings, shifting populations necessitating parish and school closings, steadily rising median age of parishioners, and a secular social and cultural milieu which increasingly de-values Christian ethical standards and moral values.”
Despite such a reality, Clements finds hope.
One glimmer of hope can be found in the fact that, in the midst of many potentially discouraging circumstances, there are Catholic parishes in the United States that are thriving,” he said.
“While we know that the Holy Spirit guides the Church through good times and bad, we also realize that ‘grace builds on nature,’” he went on to say. “Diocesan and parochial leaders need to embrace the challenge of creating a hopeful spirit and renewed enthusiasm within parish and diocesan communities. Bluntly stated, now is as good a time as any for positive action.”
Clements was among a small group in the Diocese of Evansville initiating a pilot project, “planting the seeds of total parish revitalization in one viable yet struggling parish — St. Anthony in Evansville — nourishing them, and preparing to eventually spread their fruits to other parishes and even other dioceses.
Phase I was completed in early 2007, and included visiting three dynamic parishes in the United States: Holy Family Parish in Inverness, Illinois, St. Mark Parish in Boise, Idaho, and St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita, Kansas.
Members of the group presented what they found to clergy and other parish leaders at two roundtables in 2007.
The research at the three parishes led to the hiring of a full-time director of ministry development for St. Anthony Church.
In Phase II of the project, additional research went into successful youth evangelization and spiritual development programs.
“With the help of additional grant monies, the next step will be taken in 2009 with the hiring of two additional staff members for St. Anthony Parish: a full-time Youth Minister and part-time Music Minister,” Clements said.
Phase III will be the development of a program for parish leaders from other parishes who wish to replicate or adapt the experiences of St. Anthony Church for their own circumstances.
Two more roundtables are now scheduled for anyone who might be interested, to report the results, to describe the next steps, to share any “excellent parish successes” others have personally experienced.
Roundtables are scheduled Friday, April 24, and Friday, May 1 at the Catholic Center in Evansville.
The meetings will begin at 11 a.m. Evansville time and conclude at approximately 2 p.m. Lunch will be served.
There is no cost for anyone who wishes to attend, but a count of participants is needed for the catering service.
Call or email Cathy Crowdus in the Office of Stewardship and Development: ccrowdus@evansville-diocese.org; toll free: (800) 637-1731; or (812)-424-5536.