July 16, 2010
Report to the Diocese
As the two year mark approaches in the strategic planning process, an implementation plan is emerging. (PDF document: See our whole update on the diocesan strategic plan)
The town hall meetings in the fall of 2008, the listening sessions, individual interviews and an internet survey helped gather information. Planning group members over the months since then examined nine strategic areas: parish viability, effective parish leadership, liturgy, Catholic school viability and identity, communicating our faith to others, vocations, supporting priests in effective ministry, and youth ministry. (Related: ‘Emerging implementation plan’ testing ‘recipes’ for the diocese)
For each strategic issue examined, the planning group members identified a strategic initiative — moving forward from “What are we concerned about?” to “What are we going to do about it?”
The questions today are critical: “How are we going to do what needs to be done?” “Who is going to do it?”
The strategic initiatives were presented to the priests and pastoral life coordinators of the diocese April 23, and since then, to the Diocesan Pastoral Council, to the Diocesan Finance Council, diocesan directors and staff.
The seven Deans and members of the diocesan staff are now engaged inplanning the action steps — the way we will answer the “What to do?” and Who will do it?” questions.
These steps have been taken:
- Bishop Gettelfinger has asked for ongoing prayers for God’s guidance. The prayer, “Come Holy Spirit,” is printed on this page and on individual cards to be used at meetings and gatherings throughout the diocese.
- Names of people to be considered for membership on the parish viability committtee have been solicited from members of the presbyterate. This committee will be charged with coming up with what it means in our diocese for a parish to be viable. Is it size, or location, or the level of activity? Or dozens of other measurements?
- Preliminary viability criterion have been reviewed by the presbyterate, diocesan directors and members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.
- The Deans have begun to select members of the parish and school viability committees.
What is next? The members of the parish and school viability committtess will be announced, possibly as soon as July 23.
- See our whole update on the diocesan strategic plan (PDF format)