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All healthy organizations do strategic
planning. It is simply a process of: looking at where we are now
and where we are likely to be in the next five years if we stay the
course; and, if we don’t like what that looks like, then deciding
what we need to do to end up somewhere that we want to be.
In our diocese, resource limitations are very
clearly in our future, most specifically a shortage of priests and
religious. Our challenge in strategic planning is to decide how to
address this shortage in a way that increases our ability to serve
the needs of the people in this diocese.
Why are we doing this now?
The short answer is: because we need to be
proactive in meeting our challenges. We estimate that by 2011, the
diocese will have 16 fewer priests than we had in 2005. This is not
a new trend and internal decisions have been made annually to
address the fact that there are more churches needing pastors than
there are available priests. Clustering, linking, sharing priests
and other strategies have already been used and have been the norm
for a while, particularly in the western part of the diocese.
What we are facing now is a more rapid decline
in numbers as many of the priests in our diocese reach retirement
age. We also know, from the experiences of other dioceses, that the
people in the pews feel more empowered when they are involved in
deciding what to do. So, taking the time to involve people in
developing the plan is likely to result in a stronger, more vibrant
diocese in the future. Up to now, we have dealt with the challenges
incrementally, resulting in reactive fixes and parishioners
unprepared to understand or participate in this necessity to
change.
What and who does this involve?
The Diocesan Pastoral Planning Commission has
recommended using a process similar to that used in the Diocese of
Green Bay. The plan should be completed by November 2008 and
includes the following key steps.
-
Local Planning Committees
developing draft Local Plans.
-
Parishes reviewing and
commenting on the draft Local Plans.
-
Diocesan Pastoral Planning
Commission recommending Local Plans.
WHAT IS A DIOCESAN STRATEGIC PLAN?
All healthy organizations do strategic planning. It is simply a
process of: looking at where we are now and where we are likely to be in
the next five years if we stay the course; and, if we don't like what
that looks like, then deciding what we need to do to end up somewhere
that we want to be.
STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS UPDATE - WHAT IS NEXT?
The Diocesan
Pastoral Planning Commission will be holding a series of vicariate
–level meetings for parish leadership to gather ideas for inter-parish
collaboration, as part of the first phase of strategic planning for our
diocese. These meetings are open to anyone interested in offering ideas.
Individual parishes may also offer opportunities for parishioners to
review and discuss materials and data and offer ideas prior to the
vicariate meeting
-
LOCAL PLANNING COMMITTEES
with
parish representation consider the ideas/options and propose draft
Local Plans (January to May 2008).
-
THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLANNING COMMISSION
reviews the drafts of the Local Plans and make recommendations to
the Bishop who will approve the final plans (June to December 2008).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
click the following web site link
www.richmonddiocese.org/planning.htm
or contact The Office of Pastoral Planning at 811 Cathedral Place,
Richmond, VA 23220; 804-622-5228; or e-mail:
eneu@richmonddiocese.org
“THE PURPOSE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN
is to be proactive and comprehensive as we address the challenge of
moving the Diocese of Richmond from a one-pastor-one-parish expectation
to new models of inter-parish collaboration.” Bishop DiLorenzo
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS/ ANSWERS PASTORAL PLANNING COMMITTEE-
Local Planning Area 16 (west of Interstate 81)
-
If we are in a parish that is already clustered, does that mean the
cluster needs to change?
No-
but the discussion still needs to take place. If you had to do it
again, how would you configure this cluster? What works well, what
would have been nice to know prior to going into this cluster
arrangement.
-
Can Sunday liturgy be celebrated on an alternate day of the week?
Yes, if approved by the Bishop and in a place designated a ‘Home
Mission’ or on a college campus.
-
What is the difference between a Home Mission and receiving
financial assistance from the Mission Co-Op fund?
The
Vicar General along with the office of Pastoral Planning and Development
is developing a list of who qualifies as a Home Mission for funding. To
be considered a Home Mission, a parish must meet at least ONE of the
following criteria
-
Driving distance to next closest church is at least one hour over
difficult terrain
-
The area’s population has a consistently higher than average rate of
poverty, unemployment, and/or low wages (for more than 12
consecutive months).
-
Few or no supporting Catholic institutions-schools, hospitals, etc-
exist in the area
-
Unexpected repairs exceed annual operating budget
-
No resident pastor
IN
ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING IS CONSIDERED:
-
Serving a unique population of the urban poor
-
Savings
account is less than $250,000 and annual income less than $90,000,
even with parishioner support through stewardship.
-
Pastoral needs are going unmet due to inability to hire qualified
staff or procure materials
-
Large number of special needs groups ( prison populations, migrant
farm workers, etc) requiring pastoral attention reside in the area.
Where can I get more information?
The Office of Pastoral Planning is staffing
this project. Contact Elizabeth Neu, Director of Pastoral Planning
at 804-358-9159 or by e-mail at
eneu@richmonddiocese.org for additional
information.
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