Focusing on our future

From Safari…. And the Beat Goes On, this 1967 ballad implies that life continues regardless of challenges or obstacles. It suggests resilience and that time moves forward, even when things seem difficult. I am reminded of a recent popular funeral scripture passage the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die…”. Life stops for no one. Change, growth is a given in everyone’s life, including the life of a parish. The constant in our joys and disappointment is God. God is there to dance with us in our achievements and cries with us in our sorrows. God invites us to take his hand, as he desires to guide us through the dark valleys to green, refreshing pastures.

Last week Fr. Tom shared with us the reasons for the “All Things New” planning process. In our time we are faced with financial challenges, lower attendance at Mass, lower sacramental numbers, fewer clergy, less volunteers, facilities which are aging or no longer fit the needs of today’s ministry. Against this back drop we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance of how to be “Church” today. The Diocesan Planning Council has set forth Design Parameters. Each parameter was developed from listening to various groups throughout the Diocese of Saint Cloud.

A strategic plan built on these parameters will help the Church flourish, grow, and effectively serve its people for generations to come. The Design Parameters… Opportunities to celebrate the Eucharist. 80% of the faithful must have access to the Sunday Mass within a 20-minute drive. The celebration of the Eucharist is central to Catholic worship. Mass is a communal act of worship where Catholics come together as the Body of Christ. The Church teaches that faith is not just individual but lived out in community. Attending in person fosters this sense of unity and shared belief. The place and time of Mass needs to be consistent. No schedule is to include a rotation of Mass times, where Parish X has Mass at 8am and Parish Y has Mass at 10am for half the year and then switching for the other half of the year.

Budgeted Ministries. Our mission dollars come via the weekly Sunday offering. Allocating resources wisely and ethically shows gratitude to God and acknowledges that we are caretakers, not owners, of what we have (Psalm 24:1). This includes ensuring just compensation for clergy, staff and those who serve the Church, recognizing their dedication and commitment to ministry. The following are areas that are part of administration/mission and expected to be in the budget:

• Perhaps a central office for the ACC if under 3000 households. (We have 3,938 households in our One in Christ parishes.)

• Liturgical Ministries. To ensure vibrant, sacred and engaging worship, strengthening the community’s spiritual life.

• Faith Formation Ministries for all ages, including Catholic Schools. (Catholic School investment is not to exceed 40% of the income from the weekly offering.)

• Hispanic ministries with 10% of the total census populations. (We have around 4% Hispanics in our parishes.)

• Pastoral Care. Pastoral care provides sacramental, spiritual, emotional, hospital, hospice, prison and bereavement support.

• Social Outreach. Social ministry is the expression of the Church’s mission to live out the Gospel in the world. It is a call given to all the baptized to use their gifts and talents to serve others. This is not merely an optional add-on to parish life, but rather an essential part of what it means to be Parish.

Pastors/Priests. Limit of three Sunday Masses per weekend/priest not including weddings/ funerals. Mass schedule must be able to be accommodated by assigned priests to ACC. Retired priests may assist in parishes but they cannot be necessary for the ministry in the parish. (Currently we have 7 Masses in our One in Christ parishes. We will need to develop a schedule of 6 weekend Masses.) For us this could mean one priest is named as pastor for all 4 parishes and the other priest is the parochial vicar.

Buildings. A well-utilized church fosters vibrant liturgies, drawing people into deeper participation in the sacraments and spiritual life. Ensuring the space is hospitable, accessible and safe enhances the worship experience and strengthens the parish’s mission.

Governance. Strong governance structures, involving both clergy and laity, foster collaboration, uphold Church teachings and provide the framework for vibrant, sustainable ministry. There are many options for our parishes from maintaining the four corporations to becoming one corporation.

Finances. Prudent use of money in the Church involves prioritizing resources in a way that supports its mission and serves the needs of the community. It means making thoughtful decisions about spending, ensuring that every dollar is used effectively for ministry, outreach and spiritual growth. The decisions to come are many and some will be a struggle and painful. As Father Tom wrote, “Please pray for, participate in, and vision with All Things New process that we may be the Church Jesus intends us to be!” Come Holy Spirit and renew our One in Christ Parishes. Fr. Ron