Father Kleppner - November 5, 2006
I share with you some of the topics and speakers at our October 24, 2006 Fall Clergy Convocation held at St. Paul Seminary. We addressed issues of how we can best meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of our people with a decreasing number of priests. You will note that the need for well formed lay ecclesial ministers and volunteers are, and going to be, even more needed in our parishes.
Envision Ministry: A Framework for Collaboration
Father Frank Almade
Secretary for Ministerial Leadership
Every parish has its own cultural, historical, and geographical context that often determines the ministerial needs of that community. Each pastor is given the opportunity to create the ministries needed to serve the faithful. No one parish is the same therefore discernment is an important aspect of pastoring. The use of lay ecclesial ministers and volunteers is a necessary dimension of parish life.
What does My Parish Look Like?
Father Kenneth Oldenski
Pastor, Saint Richard Parish, Richland Twp.
In a large suburban parish where many other Christian denominations are present, the Catholic Church has an opportunity to provide ministry which responds to the needs of young people who are in need of faith formation. Large, suburban parishes cannot function in today’s world without lay ecclesial ministers.
Father John Bachkay
Pastor, Incarnation of the Lord Parish, North Side
Pastor, Risen Lord Parish, Marshall/Shadeland
Inner-city parishes do not have the resources for several paid lay ecclesial ministers yet there is a need for the Church to provide outreach and social ministry. The discernment of how to hire staff and use volunteers becomes a unique challenge for the urban parish.
Father Thomas Sparacino
Pastor, Saint Martin de Porres Parish, McKeesport
Reorganized parishes have their own sense of history and challenges particularly when more than one church is in use. Pastors often have to determine how to keep a parish vibrant liturgically, spiritually and pastorally particularly when there are financial restraints. The use of lay ecclesial ministers is an important factor in vibrant parishes.
Father Alan Morris
Pastor, Saint Thomas Parish, Clarksville
The rural parishes in the diocese often have faith communities who have strong communal bonds and visible expressions of popular piety. Even in a small parish, ministry can be dynamic and exciting although a pastor may only have a small number of staff. Volunteers are an important part of parish life in these parishes.
The Use and Collaboration of the Pastoral Council
Dr. Mary Ann Gubish
Consultant, Institute for Ministries
The parish pastoral council serves the parish by assisting the pastor in casting a vision for the community. The pastor needs to rely on this form of collaboration to assure that the faithful’s spiritual needs are being considered. A vibrant parish community cannot exist in today’s world without the use of a pastoral council.
Models of Collaboration
Deacon Ralph Bachner
Saint Kilian Parish, Mars
The director of religious education and faith formation oversees all the faith formation efforts of a growing, suburban parish. To mobilize volunteers and structure well qualified programs requires significant time commitment a pastor often is unable to devote.
Mr. Charles Mazur
Saint John Vianney Parish, Hilltop
In a small, inner-city parish with an aging population, the business manager attends to the financial and temporal details so parish life which is a factor for maintaining vibrancy in a small parish. The necessary fundraising efforts of festivals, raffles, and bingos require a supervision and motivation often beyond the time a pastor can devote.
Ms. Nancy Kelly
Saint Paul Cathedral, Oakland
Today there are many needs in a parish that call for the attention of the pastor. Having a pastoral associate on staff can be an aid in addressing these various needs. The role of the pastoral associate is determined by the direction of the pastor. The pastoral associate can facilitate cluster meetings, lead communal prayers, participate in the pastoral care of the sick in homes and/or hospitals and on occasion can represent the pastor.
What We have Heard and Where We Are Going
Father Frank Almade
The mantra of the Envisioning Ministry Project is that less priests does not mean less ministry. The use of lay ecclesial ministers and parish volunteers is a necessary dimension of priestly ministry. Hopefully all of our parishes can reassess how ministry is being offered in order to determine the best way the Church can continue her mission.
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