April 9, 2010
The Bishop's Forum
Strategic Planning Progress: Energizing our Diocese in the Faith
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Where are we in the Planning Process?
The Diocesan Planning Team has been hard at work for upwards of 18 months. Their intense work and that of their subcommittees have spent untold volunteer hours on behalf of the diocese. You must be grateful to them.
As we now move toward implementation of plans addressing issues identified in the process, the team of 40 was expanded to include the seven deans of the diocese. At our last meeting we added the directors of the diocesan staff.
As a matter of history, since September 2009, we have gathered the data, we have attempted to identify most critical and urgent issues for our diocese.
To put that in perspective, the original planning task force of 12 diocesan leaders in a matter of a few hours identified 128 issues to be considered. That was the starting point of our work. You might imagine the discipline it took to limit those issues that are possible and available in light of human and diocesan resources.
You need to know that when we engaged CMA, our consulting firm, that I did not want them to produce a plan for us. I insisted they are to help us with a process to address our needs. They continue to do that for us. Whatever is decided for our diocese comes back to my desk with your assistance.
On April 29, 2010, the work of Planning Team will now be lateraled to the diocesan staff for implementation.
Using the image of the harvest, the threshing, the refinement of the grain, we now turn to the recipe for product. We are at that point.
How are we to implement the challenges of the planning team? How will I, with the collaboration of all of you, bring to fruition this intense effort?
The priests of the diocese will gather for a regular meeting on April 23, 2010. I will apprise them of our progress.
On April 29, 2010, the expanded Planning Team will affirm the directions that we must take for us to Re-Energize our parishes.
The implementation of that plan rests with me. With your understanding and abiding assistance we will be able to make it happen.
There will be some hard decisions on my part if I am to listen carefully to the recommendations flowing from the planning process.
It requires us all to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit as we now relive the Easter Season. There was personal concern then. There was worry for the future. So it is with us in our time and place!
Following the concluding meeting of our strategic planning process on April 29, 2010, we will lay out for you the implementation plan for the next three to five years.
Next week: The Sacrament of Confirmation