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Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Strategic Planning
Links to Download the Strategic Planning Forms
1. Parish Mass Head Counts
2. Planning Process Summary & Time Line
3. Planning Values
4. Pre-Planning Letter to Parishes
5. Pre-Planning Form
6. Strategic Plan at a Glance
7. Western Vicariate Planning Groups-editedxls

Link to Cluster Questions for "We Walk By Faith"

Strategic Planning In Action

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 meetings.

1. WESTERN VICARIATE MEETINGS:

2. LOCAL PLANNING COMMITTEES with parish representation consider the ideas/options and propose draft Local Plans (January to May 2008).

3. 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

Strategic Plan at a Glance

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. 

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.

  • Developing Planning Guidelines and collecting data.

  • Dividing parishes into logical Local Planning Areas and forming Local Planning Committees with representatives from the parishes.

  • Gathering parish leadership ideas on priest demographics and opportunities for inter parish collaboration and cooperation.

  • Local Planning Committees developing draft Local Plans.

  • Parishes reviewing and commenting on the draft Local Plans.

  • Diocesan Pastoral Planning Commission recommending Local Plans.

  • Bishop DiLorenzo approving the Local Plans.

  • Implementing the plans in a way that prepares parishes for changes before they occur.

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

  1. LOCAL PLANNING COMMITTEES with parish representation consider the ideas/options and propose draft Local Plans (January to May 2008).

  2. 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)

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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

  1. Driving distance to next closest church is at least one hour over difficult terrain

  2. The area’s population has a consistently higher than average rate of poverty, unemployment, and/or low wages (for more than 12 consecutive months).

  3. Few or no supporting Catholic institutions-schools, hospitals, etc- exist in the area

  4. Unexpected repairs exceed annual operating budget

  5. No resident pastor

IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING IS CONSIDERED:

  1. Serving a unique population of the urban poor

  2. Savings account is less than $250,000 and annual income less than $90,000, even with parishioner support through stewardship.

  3. Pastoral needs are going unmet due to inability to hire qualified staff or procure materials

  4. 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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St. Anthony's Catholic Church
1009 Virginia Ave NW Norton, VA 24273
Church Tel. No. 276-679-2336
Pastor's Office Tel. No. 276-679-2336
Rectory Tel. No. 276-523-1602
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Holy Spirit Catholic Church
Rte. 58 Jonesville, VA 24263
Church Tel. No. 276-346-0269
Pastor's Office Tel. No. 276-679-2336
Rectory Tel. No. 276-523-1602
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Sacred Heart Catholic Church
1821 Holton Ave. Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Church Tel. No.  276-523-1588
Pastor's Office Tel. No. 276-679-2336
Rectory Tel. No. 276-523-1602
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Deacon for Holy Spirit and Sacred Heart
Rev. Mr. Barron Flanary
Tel. No. 276-546-1029
Email the Deacon: bflanary@adelphia.net
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St. Joseph's Catholic Church
Main Street Clintwood, VA 24228
Church Tel. No. 276-926-5451
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P. O. Box 1724
Beech Avenue, Coeburn, VA 24230
 

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