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

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 legacyof 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. 1

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

Agenda 1. Welcome and Prayer 2. What Makes us Catholic 3. Church Structures 4. Pastoral Planning so far and Pastoral Letter 5. Consultation Process A. Vision for the Future B. Recognition of the Reality in light of the Vision 6. Open Forum 3

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 4

Marks of the Church cont d 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 i of the Apostles Continues to teach what the Apostles taught Continues to be guided d by the Apostles from Heaven 5

Church of the Sacraments Baptism Confirmation Holy Communion Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick Holy Matrimony Holy Orders 6

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

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. 8

What is a Parish? Canon Law A certain community of Faithful stably established in a Diocese entrusted to the pastoral care of a parish pastor under the authority of the Bishop (Code of Canon Law, c. 515). 9

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 10

What is a Parish? Canon Law Finance Council In each parish there is to be a finance council to help the parish priest in the administration of the goods of the parish (c. 537). Pastoral Council Christ s Faithful, together with those who by virtue of their office are engaged in the pastoral care of the parish, give their help in fostering pastoral care (c. 536.1) Has only a consultative role and is regulated by the norms laid down by the Diocesan Bishop (c. 536.2) Other Councils/Committees as needed 11

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 12

Our Mission and Purpose of Pastoral Planning History continuity Legacy respect Stewardship care Responsibility teach Pastoral sensitivity Salvation of Souls 13

Core Goals As we prepare to celebrate our 125 th Anniversary in 2014, my prayer and intent for the Diocese of Sioux Falls is that our local church will be a stronger, more visible and more united presence in eastern South Dakota through: h 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. 14

Pastoral Planning Process: Three Phases or Tasks 1. Dt Data Gathering: Gth Gth Gather objective statistical ttiti information in our Diocese and Parishes today and projections about tthe 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 15

Data Gathering 16

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 gof priests and religious Many liturgies sparsely attended in many parishes of the Diocese Other sacraments rarely celebrated in many parishes Fewer children 17

South Dakota Population Total South Dakota Population 2007 805,562 2012 847,028 East River South Dakota 2007 563,263 2012 593,756 West River South Dakota 2007 242,299 2012 253,272272 18

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Demographics by County 8/27/2008 24

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Diocese of Sioux Falls July 1, 2007 June 30, 2008 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 2007 2008 800 600 400 200 0 Baptism First Communion Confirmation Weddings Funerals 26

2008 Households 27

2007 20082008 Parish Sacraments: Baptisms 28

2007 2008 Parish Sacraments: Confirmation 29

2007 20082008 Parish Sacraments: First Communion 30

2007 20082008 Parish Sacraments: Weddings 31

2007 20082008 Parish Sacraments: Funerals 32

Average Mass Attendance April 2008 Average Mass Attendance through the Diocese was approximately 47% Annual Mass Attendance Survey 33

2007/2008 Priests by Age Group 45 40 35 30 Active Priests 2008 25 20 15 Active Priests 2007 10 5 0 26 30 31 35 36 40 41 45 46 50 51 55 56 60 61 65 66 70 71 75 80+ Retired 34

Priests are not statistics Different gifts Health and stamina Special ministries Sabbaticals and further education Parochial Vicars (Associate Pastors) 35

Priests: Present and Projected 2008: 92 active priests 2012: 71 projected active priests 2016: 55 projected active priests 36

Estimates only, can change by Additional Vocations Additional Priests from Religious Orders Additional Foreign born Priests 37

What Does This Ask of Us? Recognizing ing 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 38

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 39

Vision 40

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 41

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 i dpresence Active youth groups Stable financial support for the parish Parishioners take responsibility and pride in the parish 42

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 p Respected leader who collaborates Welcoming, receptive, with sense of humor 43

Key Characteristics of Vibrant Priests, cont d Prioritizes caring for self physically, emotionally, and spiritually Communicates, delegates, and empowers others. 44

Vision As we approach our 125 th Jubilee in 2014, the people of the Diocese of Sioux Falls will be more: Catholic Eucharistic Faith filled Compassionate United People of deepprayerandongoingprayer and conversion, fullyembracing our Catholic identity and fulfilling appropriately our roles and responsibilities as clergy, religious and laity People withfull, activeand and conscious participationinin the Sacred Liturgy, the sacraments and devotions that are celebrated with reverence and according to liturgical norms People gratefulforfor the giftof life who know andwitnesseach each day the teachings of Christ and his Church People responding through acts of charity and justice to the human and spiritual needs of others, including sharing the faith with love and humility People who cooperate and collaborate within and among parishes, recognizingthedivineconnection connection withthe the universalchurch through the bishop and Diocese 45

A More Detailed Vision: We seek to be a People of deep faith, hope and love fully embracing our Catholic identity We are called to offer our lives in sacrifice for the honor and glory of God and to make Jesus Christ known to all people and true to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. People living with integrity our vocations as priests, deacons, religious, married or single We are called by God, the giver of life, to specific vocations. Priests, Pi deacons and religious are called to a unique identity and life radically consecrated to Christ in such a way that they become a sign and witness of Christ among us. Lay men and women are called to married or single life in family, workplace and community. Each vocation complements the others. People of full, active and conscious participation in the sacramental life of the Church We are called through baptism to unite ourselves to Christ s perfect and living sacrifice through the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, and strengthened by the grace received through them carry Christ into the world. 46

People of continuing faith formation true to the teachings of Christ handed down and defended through His Church We are called to continuing conversion through study and prayer leading to a deepening understanding of the Catholic faith. People who respond to identified needs of all persons in the local and greater communities We are called to a life of loving concern about others expressed in prayer, in apostolic works, and in forgiveness. People who appreciate the diversity of fellow believers and respectfully relate to the fullness of the Roman Catholic Church We are called to live in communion with one another as the Body of Christ. We do so by assuring our local parish is viable, vibrant, and welcoming united around the pastor, assuring collaboration in the Diocese united around the bishop, and mindful of the universal church hunited around the Pope. People who share the Good News of Jesus through active witness and respectful evangelization We are called to give public witness to our love for Christ and His Church. By what we say and do we invite others to Christ. Confident in our faith and grounded in the teachings of Christ, we speak about, defend and protect the truth with courage and love. 47

Four Areas of Transforming Focus Formation Clear, consistent catechesis true to Catholic teaching available to all ages Vocations 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 Unity Respectful and caring relationships within and beyond individual parishes Accountability Regular assessment of fidelity to the Pastoral Plan by parishes and the Diocese 48

Implementation Steps Establish Vision Study Groups to review and propose p ways in which parishes and Diocese can develop these in practical ways Initial reports due by June 30, 2009 Evaluate and Reconfigure Diocesan Chancery Offices to respond to the Vision and Task Forces Questionnaire for all to use 49

Planning Process 50

Options for Response Do nothing Plan and implement with consultation Directives from above 51

Anticipated Reactions Some parishioners and priests may seek to protect the status quo by reflecting parochial or self interest or minimizing local effect by seeking to deflect change elsewhere Some parishioners and priests may seek to delay by waiting this out assuming that change can be ignored or derailed by lack of participation or cooperation Neither are acceptable Neither will work 52

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. 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 truly Catholic, in all aspects, breadth and depth for ourselves, each other, our communities and the Church. 53

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 Consult and develop a practical plan that takes into account the realities in context of the visions 54

Developing Shared Awareness All All Parishes Gather factual information for each parish Record in writing and anecdote story of each parish Assess Parish ihin light of the Vision i 55

Regional 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 56

Possible actions No Change Linking two parishes Clustering three or more parishes Merging existing Parishes Establish New Parishes Maintain non sacramental sites Close 57

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Proposed Parish Plan 2012 Diocese of Sioux Falls Parish Household and Diocesan Resource Utilization and Analysis 2012 59

Statistical Basis for the Proposed Scenarios All analysis and reporting has been based on the data dt parishes ih reported tdto the Diocese of Sioux Falls Diocese and objective government data resources. Drive time analyses for displaced parish households are based on twentyminute drive times. Households outside of a twenty minute drive time were assigned to their next closest parish facility based on actual drive time, not straight line distance. Priest estimations reported are based pastors needed to meet goals derived by the parish analysis Parish membership household data received from the Diocese of Sioux Falls was geo coded with the following accuracy: 99.7% success rate of being mapped 84.7% success rate of being mapped to a street 15.0% success rate of being mapped to a zip code area 60

Practical Planning Parameters and Guides Numbers of priests No more than three Sunday liturgies celebrated, including the Saturday Vigil Number of households The shortest drive time Present sacramental life 61

Priest Ratios and Estimated Membership By 2012 Estimated active priests are based on need derived from the analysis and do not reflect actual number of priests employed db by the Diocese. 62

Drive time Analysis By 2012 Drive time analysis figures were determined db by finding the number of households outside of a twenty minute drive time from all parishes for both the current condition and after the proposed 2012 plan. 63

Estimated Families per Parish By 2012 64

Suggested Parish & Priest Groupings By 2012 65

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 67

Current Parishes without Regular Liturgies By 2012 68

Clergy Assessment of Pastoral Plan 2012 Proposal Strengths Weaknesses A. Proactive, realistic and concrete Pastoral Plan B. Improved allocation of resources, priests and facilities C. Plan and materials allow for understanding of implications and creating ideas for improvement D. Increases reality of diocesan Church to local parish E. Improvement po e in liturgies tuges A. Data does not show presence or accounting of local specialized ministries and conditions: i.e. hospital, jails and nursing homes, job growth and decline, presence and growth of Latino populations B. Some parish groupings and data like # of Masses do not make sense at the local level C. Reduced priest visibility geographically D. Does not provide information on total Sacramental responsibilities for assessing study areas: weekly liturgies at all locations, funerals, marriages, confessions, etc. 69

Benefits Clergy Assessment of Pastoral Plan 2012 Proposal Concerns A. Consolidation of staffing and A. Choice of Catholics to leave the programs Church over this change and B. Ability to see local planning and inconvenience factors concerns in a diocesan context all in B. Transportation for elderly this together C. Transition process: details, training, C. Better use of resources, pastoral, communications, timing, and financial and facilities expectations D. Promotion of lay involvement, service and consultation D. Financial impact; reduced giving E. How to effectively re-imagine and organize Faith Formation across all ages with new parish groupings F. Impact of closed parishes on local communities G. Priest Assignments: What is stable and what is in flux? 70

Transition Process Consultation is to: include practical limplications, i story and special il 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 71

Issues to Prepare for Practical effect on people: Priests, deacons, staff, volunteers, councils, commissions i 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 Continuous improvement of current ministries: Sacramental, faith formation, education, pastoral care, outreach and justice, administration 72

Pastoral Issues for the Transition Parish names, history and culture Community building and cherished acts of faith Recognition of decades of committed faith Dealing with deep loss, grief and anger Encouraging hopeful lfuture 73

Core Goals As we prepare to celebrate our 125 th Anniversary in 2014, my prayer and intent for the Diocese of Sioux Falls is that our local church will be a stronger, more visible and more united presence in eastern South Dakota through: 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. 74

Pray There is no Plan B. 75

Key Messages to take Home This is serious, we are serious. Change must intentionally happen because change is happening. Your active 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. 76

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