To Hold and Teach the Catholic Faith

Transcription

1 To Hold and Teach the Catholic Faith Approaching the 125 th Anniversary of the Diocese of Sioux Falls A Pastoral Plan

2 One What makes us Catholic? Marks of the Church Her source is the Three Persons in One God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Flowing from this one source is the Unity of one Faith, one Baptism, one Sacrifice, and the same Sacrament Holy Christ, the Head of the Church, has made the Church holy through the gift of the Holy Spirit 7/2/2010 1

3 Marks of the Church cont d Catholic (Universal) Christ has given the Church the fullness of the means of salvation Her Mission is to preach the Gospel to the entire world Apostolic Founded on the Apostles Continues the Mission of the Apostles Continues to teach what the Apostles taught Continues to be guided by the Apostles from Heaven 7/2/2010 2

4 Church of the Sacraments Baptism Confirmation Holy Communion Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Holy Matrimony Holy Orders 7/2/2010 3

5 What is a Diocese? The Church is instituted by Christ Under the care of Peter and his Successors, the Pope Who erects Particular Churches, Dioceses in geographic areas And who appoints a bishop for each to teach, to sanctify, and to govern 7/2/2010 4

6 What is a Diocese? (cont d) Who consults with the Diocesan Finance Council, Council of Priests, and Others as needed, (e.g. Priest Personnel Board) Who establishes parishes And who appoints pastors for each to teach, to sanctify, and to govern. 7/2/2010 5

7 What is a Parish? A community of Faithful in a geographic or territorial area To provide for the pastoral care of the Faithful Erected by the Diocesan Bishop through a formal act Entrusted to an ordained priest by appointment of the Bishop 7/2/2010 6

8 What is a Parish? Civil Law All parishes in the Diocese of Sioux Falls are incorporated separately under the South Dakota Non-profit Corporation Act with the directors being: Bishop as President Vicar General of the Diocese Chancellor of the Diocese Pastor of the Parish Two Lay trustees from the Parish 7/2/2010 7

9 Our Mission and Purpose of Pastoral Planning History - continuity Legacy - respect Stewardship - care Responsibility - teach Pastoral - sensitivity Salvation of Souls 7/2/2010 8

10 Core Goals 1. Regular access to the Sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, throughout the entire Diocese, 2. Solid Catholic Faith formation for all ages throughout the Diocese, and 3. The opportunity to gather as a people of faith in vibrant and viable parishes, while at the same time assuring 4. The physical and spiritual health and well-being of our priests. 7/2/2010 9

11 Pastoral Planning Process: Three Phases or Tasks 1. Data Gathering: Gather objective statistical information in our Diocese and Parishes today and projections about the future. 2. Vision: Identify what we would hope we might be focusing on 2014, the 125 th Anniversary of the erection of the Diocese. 3. Practical Planning: Take what we have learned from the statistical analysis and in context of the Vision develop a specific plan for 2012 and beyond. All will be ongoing 7/2/

12 Data Gathering 7/2/

13 Statistical Information Demographics today and projected Parish Households today and projected Priests today and projected Sacramental activity Mass attendance (to be taken annually)

14 Population Trends by County County (projected) 2020 (projected) Clark Codington Duel Grant Hamlin Roberts

15 Population Trends by City 1980-Current City Current Clark Florence Gary Henry Milbank Revillo Watertown Wilmot SD Dept of Labor

16 Population Trends by City 1980-Current CITY CURRENT Big Stone City 672 NA NA Bryant Castlewood Clear Lake Estelline Grover NA NA NA Kranzburg Waverly NA NA NA SD Dept of Labor

17 South Dakota Population Total South Dakota Population , ,028 East River South Dakota , ,756 West River South Dakota , ,272 7/2/

18 The Reality Demographic trends: Population growth in a few areas, decline in numbers and aging in many areas across the Diocese which will continue Relocation of populations from rural areas to cities Declining number and aging of priests and religious Many liturgies sparsely attended in many parishes of the Diocese Other sacraments rarely celebrated in many parishes Fewer children 7/2/

19 8/27/2008 7/2/

20 Average Mass Attendance 47 % April % March % March 2010 Based on parish surveys taken on 3 consecutive weekends 2010 % based on 127,000 Catholics

21 Baptism North Central Study Group City Big Stone City Wilmot Clark Bryant Revillo Milbank Holy Name-Watertown Imm Conc-Watertown

22 Baptism North Central Study Group City Florence Grover Henry Kranzburg Castlewood Waverly Clear Lake Estelline Gary 1 0 0

23 2010 Present and Projected 2008: 92 Active Priests 2009: 89 Active Priests 2010: 87 Active Priests 2012: 76 Projected Active Priests 10 Priests from Religious Orders 8 Foreign Born Priests 7/2/

24 The Number of Religious Priests has declined in the last twenty years. 7/2/

25 Priests are not statistics Different gifts Health and stamina Special ministries Sabbaticals and further education Parochial Vicars (Associate Pastors) 7/2/

26 Estimates only, can change by Additional Vocations Additional Priests from Religious Orders Additional Foreign-born Priests 7/2/

27 What Does This Ask of Us? Recognizing that this reality is more than an economic, demographic, financial, infrastructure or efficiency challenge, all Catholics in our Diocese are called to: 1. Accept the need for this Pastoral Plan for our entire Diocese and commit to shape and implement it 2. Operate in greater communion with one another which requires respect, consultation, thoughtful decisions and accountability 3. Open our hearts and minds through prayer and discernment to the Holy Spirit at all times 7/2/

28 What Does This Mean? In order to provide for: 1. Regular access to the Sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, throughout the entire Diocese, Our liturgies, sacraments and priests need to be matched and located where Catholics are, yet provide for access across the Diocese within reasonable drive times 2. Solid Catholic Faith formation for all ages, again throughout the entire Diocese, and Our Catholic schools and faith formation need to be matched and located where Catholics are yet provide for access across the Diocese within reasonable drive times, taking advantage of advances in technology 3. The opportunity to gather as a people of faith in vibrant and viable parishes, while at the same time assuring 4. The physical and spiritual health and well-being of our priests Faith communities need to be in fewer primary locations with greater interrelationships among them 7/2/

29 Vision 7/2/

30 Key Characteristics of Vibrant Catholic People, Parishes, and Schools Minister to all parish members through service and stewardship Provide parish family-building through activities that include all ages, vocations, and nationalities Welcoming Strong spiritual atmosphere 7/2/

31 Key Characteristics of Vibrant Catholic People, Parishes, and Schools, cont d Participation of parishioners in liturgies and parish affairs Engaging education in the faith for all ages Community-minded presence Active youth groups Stable financial support for the parish Parishioners take responsibility and pride in the parish 7/2/

32 Key Characteristics of Vibrant Priests Strong faith, men of prayer, spiritual leaders Knowledgeable resource and teacher Visible and active presence in the parish Compassionate, willing to listen, patient, love for all people Respected leader who collaborates Welcoming, receptive, with sense of humor 7/2/

33 Key Characteristics of Vibrant Priests, cont d Prioritizes caring for self physically, emotionally, and spiritually Communicates, delegates, and empowers others. 7/2/

34 Four Areas of Transforming Focus Formation Vocations Parish Life Clear, consistent catechesis true to Catholic teaching available to all ages Enhanced efforts to encourage response to the call of Christ to the ordained and religious life, and greater support for marriage and families and the single life Respectful and caring relationships within and beyond individual parishes Accountability Regular assessment of fidelity to the Pastoral Plan by parishes and the Diocese 7/2/

35 Implementation Steps Review and propose ways in which parishes and Diocese can develop these in practical ways Evaluate and reconfigure Diocesan Chancery Offices to respond to the Vision Consult the faithful 7/2/

36 Planning Process 7/2/

37 Options for Response Do nothing Plan and implement with consultation Directives from above 7/2/

38 Expected Implications Change will Deeply affect local faith communities, including practices, self-image, identity, convenience and patterns of local life. Require openness to sacrificial acts of faith guided by the Holy Spirit for the good of the greater church and one another. Generate at all levels a mixture of hope, hurt, possibilities, pain, energy and anxiety. 7/2/

39 Expected Implications (cont d) Change is not a rejection or discounting of the present or the past. Change has ever been part of the prairie reality. Our heritage of strong and resilient Catholic faith and life is to be honored, celebrated, preserved and serve as a guide as we move into the future with trust and hope. In the midst of change and doubt, we must seek to listen with open minds, consult with realistic understandings, respond with charity and compassion, empowered by prayer This is the time to be more fully Catholic, in all aspects, breadth and depth for ourselves, each other, our communities and the Church. 7/2/

40 Where do we go from here? Ongoing refreshment of statistics and understanding trends to anticipate the future Develop in consultation practical ways to work toward the Vision and develop a practical plan that takes into account the statistical realities in context of the Vision while taking into account local circumstances 7/2/

41 Area Consultation Meetings Facilitated meetings Representatives from each affected parish Open to all Analyze suggested plan proposal Consider creative suggestions Identify special facts or circumstances Propose alternatives Suggest implementation plan 7/2/

42 Possible actions No Change Linking two parishes Clustering three or more parishes Merging existing Parishes Establish New Parishes Rotate Masses Team pastors Maintain non-sacramental sites Close Your Ideas 7/2/

43 8/27/2008 7/2/

44 Practical Planning Parameters and Guides Look to the future, not just today Projected numbers of priests No more than three Sunday liturgies celebrated, including the Saturday Vigil Additional sacramental and pastoral needs Number of households The shortest drive time Present sacramental life Condition of Buildings Financial Health Religious education and Catholic schools 43

45 Special Issues Chaplaincies hospital, hospices, prison/jail, schools, Newman Centers, military Associates/Parochial Vicars Extraordinary Form (Latin) Unique cultures - Hispanic, African, Native American

46 Issues brought forward Who may be ordained Sunday obligation met during the week Sunday obligation met though the media Role of laity Role of religious 7/2/

47 Suggested Parish & Priest Groupings By 2012 Suggested plan only Bishop has not endorsed; no final decisions have been made Consultation is to allow review, alternative thoughts and creative alternatives 7/2/

48 Current Configuration Kranzburg/Castlewood/Waverly: One Priest Milbank/Revillo: One Priest Clark/Bryant: One Priest Clear Lake/Estelline/Gary: One Priest Florence/Grover/Henry: One Priest Big Stone City: One Priest Wilmot: One Priest Immaculate Conception: One Priest Holy Name: One Priest 7/2/

49 Suggested Plan Current: Proposed: 17 parishes 9 priests 14 parishes 3 parishes w/o regularly scheduled liturgies 7 priests 7/2/

50 Suggested Plan Wilmot, Big Stone City, Revillo, Milbank 2 priests Florence, Kranzburg, IC, Holy Name 3 priests Henry, Bryant, Clark 1 priest Castlewood, Clear Lake, Estelline 1 priest Gary, Grover, Waverly no regular liturgies

51 Consultation with You include practical implications, story and special factors be grounded in prayer, Catholic identity and honest discernment engage collaboration within and across parish groupings and regions provide ongoing consultation to Council of Priests 7/2/

52 Issues to Prepare for in Implementation Practical effect on people: Priests, deacons, staff, volunteers, councils, commissions and committees Canonical and civil requirements Protection of sacramental and other records and religious articles Future of church and other buildings, cemeteries, land, Protection of investments, estates, stole fees and Mass intentions (note: local funds remain local) Continuous improvement of current ministries: Sacramental, faith formation, education, pastoral care, outreach and justice, administration 7/2/

53 Core Goals 1. Regular access to the Sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, throughout the entire Diocese, 2. Solid Catholic Faith formation for all ages throughout the Diocese, and 3. The opportunity to gather as a people of faith in vibrant and viable parishes, while at the same time assuring 4. The physical and spiritual health and well-being of our priests. 7/2/

54 Charge to All Faithful of the Diocese We must plan We are one body, one faith, one church, one family - Catholic Change must intentionally happen because change is happening. Your active involvement and support is essential. Together we will hold and teach the Catholic Faith while meeting the challenges of our day, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 7/2/

55 Prayer for Pastoral Planning Diocese of Sioux Falls Almighty God, we the people of the Diocese of Sioux Falls prayerfully look to the future. During this time of pastoral planning, we implore the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us the gifts of wisdom, courage and hope. May we exercise the virtue of prudence by opening our hearts and minds to be good stewards of the legacy of faith inherited from those who built the Church on the prairie. May we exercise the virtue of justice by opening our hearts and minds to assure that the voices of persons from all generations, all vocations and all areas of the Diocese are welcomed and respected. May we exercise the virtue of fortitude by opening our hearts and minds to understand and acknowledge the spiritual and practical realities of our day and prepare for the days to come; and May we exercise the virtue of temperance by opening our hearts and minds to accept the changes in diocesan, parish and personal life that the Holy Spirit, through this planning process, is guiding us to make. Under the protection of Blessed Mary, our Mother, and St. Joseph, our patron, may we discern and implement what is best for the diocesan Church and all the faithful of Eastern South Dakota. We pray this through Christ, our Lord. 7/2/

56 To Hold and Teach the Catholic Faith Approaching the 125 th Anniversary of the Diocese of Sioux Falls A Pastoral Plan