Saint Bernard Parish On Mission Informational Meeting May 8, 2017 Clairvaux Hall
On Mission Prayer Father of Mercy, as we journey On Mission for The Church Alive!, endow us with your gifts of collaboration, courage and compassion Help us to fulfill the mission of Jesus and His Church through vibrant parishes and effective ministries. Raise up selfless, energetic leaders to serve the Church in fidelity and with care. May we, the Church of Pittsburgh in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties, be sustained and strengthened, by your grace. Help us to learn Jesus, to love Jesus and to live Jesus. Hear this prayer and grant it through Jesus Christ our Lord, with the help of our dear Blessed Mother, under the mantle of her love, Amen.
Welcome and Purpose of Meeting 1. Introductory Remarks 2. Reminder of Baptismal Call and What it means to be Church 3. Review Timeline of On Mission Process 4. Present Proposed Configuration 5. Offer Perspective of Staff and On Mission Team Member 6. Small Group 7. Feedback 8. Questions 9. Next Steps 10. Closing Prayer
Saint Bernard Parish Mission Statement Through the power of the Eucharist and grace-filled guidance of the Holy Spirit, Saint Bernard Parish is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and serving all through the teachings of the Gospel by being a living, loving presence of Jesus Christ. United with the Shepherd of the Roman Catholic Church, our Holy Father, our Parish seeks to foster a growing, supportive, and welcoming Community that proclaims the Kingdom of God.
Introductory Remarks It is your Church, Lord. I am going to sleep. -St. John XXIII
Introductory Remarks To live is to change; to be perfect is to have changed often. -Blessed John Henry Newman
Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel The gospel offers us the chance to live life on a higher plane, but with no less intensity: Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others. When the Church summons Christians to take up the task of evangelization, she is simply pointing to the source of authentic personal fulfillment. For here we discover a profound law of reality: that life is attained and matures in the measure that it is offered up in order to give life to others. This is certainly what mission means.
Baptismal Calling What it Means to be Church
Baptismal Calling WE are baptized into a relationship with Jesus and his Church. WE are called to be not just parishioners but disciples who spread the Good News.
As baptized Catholics we belong to the Church. The Church is: NOT a building but a Body Comprised of the baptized Who are called to holiness Through using their gifts To bring about God s Kingdom
As baptized Catholics we are co-responsible For the mission of Jesus Because we are invited to be a disciple Which means we have particular gifts (Ephesians 4) Which means Father doesn t have to do everything
The baptismal call to holiness belongs to everyone not just priests, deacons, Sisters and Brothers.
Pope Benedict XVI The Church needs a change of mindset, particularly concerning laypeople. They must no longer be viewed as collaborators of the clergy, but truly recognized as co-responsible for the Church s being and action thereby fostering the consolidation of a mature and committed laity.
What has happened to our priests? The elevation of some priests and nuns to super- Christians who have superpowers to do what ordinary Christians cannot do has led to: isolation of our clergy immaturity of baptized Result is unrealistic expectations on clergy and resistance among some laity to be called to deeper sense of discipleship.
Evangelization: Bring Others to Christ In his book Divine Renovation Fr. James Mallon says that our deepest crisis is an identity crisis...we have forgotten who we are and what we are called to do as a Church. We need to become disciples and focus on attracting others to Christ by becoming evangelizers. The pastor is considered CEO Chief Evangelizing Officer. He relies on his staff and faithful to assist in work of mission and evangelization.
Inside the Numbers: People October Mass Count in 2000: Diocese: 246,896 STB 2008: 2932 October Mass Count in 2015: Diocese 149,215 STB 2015: 2200
Inside the Numbers: Priests 1990 453 2000 338 2015 225 2025 112
Inside the Numbers: Parish Saint Bernard Parish has gone from 3 full time priests to 2. Saint Bernard Parish has gone from 9 Sunday Masses to 6 and 3 weekday Masses to 2.
Priests in Active Ministry Today There are 36 priests over age of 70 Age 61-70 80 priests Age 51-60 54 priests Age 41-50 32 priests Age 30-40 21 priests Under 30 1 priest
Diminishing Resources Parishes Running Annual Deficits 2012 33% 2015 50%
The result of the convergence of these factors is the Bishop s initiative On Mission for the Church Alive.
The Great Hopes Worship that is sacred, full and intentional. Pastors that can be present and know their people. Lay Leadership that is equipped and empowerd Hospitality that welcomes all. Vibrancy that calls people back. Inspiration that sends them out.
Criteria for Development of Draft Models See Handout: 21 Factors
Draft Configuration #108 Mt. Lebanon/Brookline/Beechview Parish Grouping Saint Bernard Saint Catherine Our Lady of Loreto Saint Pamphilus Saint Pius X Resurrection
Total Number of Mass Goers for All Parishes 3,900 in 2016
Proposed Campuses (Must accommodate Latino Community) Current 6 End State 3
Draft Parish Configuration Notes #108 An option similar to this grouping was presented in the fall 2016 consultation. That group was comprised of St. Bernard, St. Winifred, Our Lady of Loreto, St. Pius X and Resurrection (Model 7 Parish C). Another option presented showed the 5 parishes in Brookline and Beechview forming a grouping (Model 8 Parish C). This received the most favorable reaction from those parishes. The 5 parishes are currently a cluster and were part of an ad hoc process for two years, with the aim of creating one new parish. That ad hoc effort was suspended when the On Mission initiative began. For purposes of geographic proximity, vibrancy and ministry this group was formed. It is 1 mile from St. Bernard to St. Pius X. The Brookline/ Beechview parishes are also in close proximity to one another. The new parish assumes assets and liabilities of parishes within groupings. The School piece will be done separately.
Other Considerations Half of the students in Saint Bernard School come from the Brookline/Beechview area. The communities are connected by the Trolley Line. The Annual Memorial Day Parade begins in Brookline at the Cannon and ends at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.
Recommended Implementation All pastors and priests receive their assignments at the same time. Not everyone will be moved but there will be movement. The timing of when parishes merge is dictated by the situation. A Blueprint for the merger is developed and includes: Timeline for merging the parishes. What is needed to merge the parishes. How many campuses to be used. Initial thoughts on staffing. A guideline for development of ministry. The process through which the pastor and parish leadership create new identity and local ownership.
Parish Grouping Categories Category: A Parishes struggle financially and/or Are in demographically challenged areas or face some other pastoral/vitality issue Or indicate readiness to proceed These parishes will get to end state in 1 year.
Parish Grouping Categories Category: B Parishes financial viability does not extend past 2-3 years Sacramental demographics show noticeable decline Initial conversations for collaboration have begun These parishes get to end state in 1-3 years
Parish Grouping Categories Category: C Typically larger and more complex parishes These parishes get to end state in 3-5 years
A Staff Perspective Tisha Bridges
An On Mission Team Member Perspective Bridgette Kennedy
Small Group Discussion What excites you about this grouping? What concerns or anxieties do you have about this grouping? What alternative would you propose to make the Parish Grouping better?
Feedback and Questions
Next Steps Forwarding feedback to Diocese Submit one feedback report to survey monkey by June 1st Continue to pray for On Mission for the Church Alive!
Closing Prayer God, grant me the serenity to accept the things in life I cannot change; the Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world. As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever and ever in the next. Amen.