The challenges before us… Diocesan wide…
So an interesting thing happened at our Deanery meeting this past Monday. Our dean had but one topic of discussion for us to begin to mull over. But it is a doozy. If you remember more than a few years ago, there was a small task force assembled to begin some strategic planning around the area of utilization of priests and the administration of parishes. Much was talked about, but not much happened with their recommendations. Till now.
Behind the scenes someone has done a lot of projections and demographics concerning the current numbers of priests in the Archdiocese. The summary goes like this: We have been/will average the following:
5 priests ordained each year
1 priest incardinated each year
-2 priests leave active ministry each year
-10 priests die each year.
So we will average a net decline of 6 priests per year going forward. Thus, we can expect 30 fewer diocesan priests in the next five years and 60 fewer in the next ten.
With this as a backdrop, they have asked us to put thought and energy around this concept:
IF tomorrow there were 3 fewer full time priests than today to serve your deanery:
At what parish would you place the remaining priests and would they be full time or part time in their parochial roles?
At which parishes would you place qualified and trained deacons or lay leaders for pastoral roles?
What adjustments would you make to parishes them-selves (e.g. – changing mass times to accommodate priests serving more than one parish)?
It is a process that is long overdue. And though it is frightening at first glance to even begin such a discussion, what I sense is the Holy Spirit at work, inviting us to look, not with a wistful nostalgia over what has been, but with faith filled eyes over what God is calling us to.
Please hear this clearly: this is not a process about ‘closing parishes’ or ‘shuttering buildings’, but one about using the gifts of both our priests and laity fully to continue to be the presence of God in our neighborhoods and communities. Mass schedules might change. Rectory assignments might look different. Parishes might share a priest. But in the heart of our communities the Lord will continue to dwell and continue to breathe life and love wherever “two or more are gathered in His name.”
(fyi – input is welcome…. we have one month to make our initial proposal…)