Catholic New Service is featuring an article by Dennis Sadowski about parish closings and mergers that are taking place around the country and what it means for the parishioners of these parishes. The article is titled "When parishes close, there's more to deal with than just logistics"...
As we are certainly aware here in the Diocese of Richmond, there are rumblings and grumblings going on as to when and how the clustering of our parishes will take place. Obviously, some parishes are already sharing resources with each other, but that is only the beginning.
What happens to smaller parishes who face the uncertainty of and the possibility of being swallowed up by larger neighboring parishes? Will they lose their identity completely? Will their Catholic presence be lost in their communities? Will their outreach programs be taken over or even discontinued? Will the smaller churches be closed altogether? Are the parishioners even prepared for any of this?
Sadowski attempts to address this issue by citing research done by Charles Zech and Robert Miller in their recent book, "Listening to the People of God: Closing, Rebuilding and Revitalizing Parishes."
Zech recognizes how traumatic the closing or merging of a parish can be: "'Our parish is a family and when our parish is closed we feel like we've lost an important part of our family.' We have to treat it that way. Diocesan officials need to treat it as if there's a death in the family."
Read the article and tell us what your thoughts are about the future of our clustering parishes in the Diocese of Richmond.
Showing posts with label pastoral planning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pastoral planning. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday, October 20, 2008
Change of Plans? Pastoral Planning ~ standing maryanna
I was surprised to read this new twist in the Bishop's Question and Answer session (AND THE BISHOP SAYS) with Steve Neill in this week's Catholic Virginian. Here was the question put to the Bishop:
Q. Regarding the long-range planning process in the diocese, does it appear that people can expect changes beginning in January regarding more collaboration among neighboring parishes?
A. First of all, there are some misperceptions about the planning process. In January, all things being equal, a plan will be in place. It does not necessarily mean that the plan will take place. In other words, we’re making a distinction. We are adopting a plan that is like a time-released capsule in the analogy of medicine.
The pill dissolves in stages in order for one to receive the benefit. This is similar to our plan. It won’t be triggered in a particular area unless the number of priests starts to decline. If the number of priests declines, the plan we adopted will be triggered.
The plan is there to be kept available if you need it.
(The Catholic Virginian, October 20, 2008 Volume 83, Number 26)
That certainly isn't what those of us who are interested were lead to believe. Sounds like there has been enough feedback (grumbling) by many influential parishes that drastic change will not be welcomed. The threat of a drop in collections, perhaps?
Q. Regarding the long-range planning process in the diocese, does it appear that people can expect changes beginning in January regarding more collaboration among neighboring parishes?
A. First of all, there are some misperceptions about the planning process. In January, all things being equal, a plan will be in place. It does not necessarily mean that the plan will take place. In other words, we’re making a distinction. We are adopting a plan that is like a time-released capsule in the analogy of medicine.
The pill dissolves in stages in order for one to receive the benefit. This is similar to our plan. It won’t be triggered in a particular area unless the number of priests starts to decline. If the number of priests declines, the plan we adopted will be triggered.
The plan is there to be kept available if you need it.
(The Catholic Virginian, October 20, 2008 Volume 83, Number 26)
That certainly isn't what those of us who are interested were lead to believe. Sounds like there has been enough feedback (grumbling) by many influential parishes that drastic change will not be welcomed. The threat of a drop in collections, perhaps?
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