Questions are a normal part of transition. Here is a question we have been hearing recently from the parish community along with our answer.
QuestionWe were told our current Pastoral Leadership Model was temporary. Do we have any idea what to expect for Saint Patrick Church next summer?
Answer
That’s a very good question. While it is only November, it is not too early to begin planning and preparing for next summer.
Before addressing the specific situation at St. Patrick, let me bring you up to speed on the bigger picture in the Pierce Deanery, as this bigger picture may very well impact our situation.
The bigger picture in the Pierce Deanery
In addition to changes here at St. Patrick this past summer, the pastor at Holy Rosary in Tacoma was re-assigned, on short notice, to another parish in need. Since no pastor was available to serve at Holy Rosary, Father Wichert, the pastor at Visitation, was assigned as pastor for Holy Rosary as well. Two parishes and two schools is a heavy load for one priest. In light of this increased responsibility, Mass times were changed for both parishes.
Saint Charles Borromeo lost the parochial vicar who has historically supported Father McDermott, leaving Father Mike alone to serve a parish twice our size. One consequence has been the cancellation of their Sunday evening Mass.
At Saint Joseph Parish, priests from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter replaced the diocesan priest and St. Joseph is now a Latin Mass parish.
With additional retirements and priest re-assignments, it is likely that the Pierce Deanery may lose one or two more priests next summer.
How is the Pierce Deanery planning for these changes?
In light of the situation, the Archdiocesan Priest Placement Board has already begun planning for the upcoming assignments of pastors and priests. As you know, the Archbishop ultimately makes these priest/ pastor assignments. To assist him in this process, Archbishop Sartain has asked the Pierce Deanery Planning Team to develop potential options from the bottom up for his consideration. He has also asked deaneries to increase the sharing of information regarding pastoral planning options with parishioners through parish bulletin inserts. Be on the lookout for this information in the coming weeks.
Pastoral leadership options under consideration by the Deanery include greater partnering and shared resources among two or three existing parishes. What these partnerships and sharing of resources might look like is the subject of ongoing conversations between parishes at our Deanery meetings. Closing or merging smaller parishes is an option, but clearly not a desirable one. The current lay Pastoral Coordinator model at Saint Patrick Parish is on the agenda, and one of the potential options being considered by other parishes in the Deanery and Diocese.
What will happen at St. Patrick?
So it is a little too early to tell what will happen next summer. We have started the dialogue with the Jesuit community to determine their interest in continuing the partnership at St. Patrick. As noted earlier, the final decision will be made by the Archbishop after considering input from the Deanery and consultation with the Priest Placement Board.
How can learn more or share my recommendations?
Here are some key dates in the upcoming Pierce Deanery planning process:
Pierce Deanery Planning Meeting
December 2, 2015
Pierce Deanery pastors, deacons and pastoral coordinators will discuss various pastoral options and make plans for two upcoming Convocations
1st Convocation
January 28, 2016
1st Convocation at which pastors and lay leaders (Pastoral Council, Finance Councils, Parish Staffs) will learn more about the “big picture” for Pierce Deanery and discuss the opportunities and challenges of various options the Deanery is considering for recommendation to Archbishop Sartain.
2nd Convocation
April 14, 2016
2nd Convocation, an open convocation to parishioners from every parish in the Deanery to enter dialogue regarding the final recommendation to Archbishop Sartain.
Listening/Q & A Session
November 30, 2015
We’d like to know what’s on your mind. On Monday, November 30, 2015, 7:00 – 8:00 P.M., Saint Patrick Catholic Church will host an informal Listening/Q & A Session at the Parish Center with Kevin Lovejoy, Pastoral Coordinator.
Parishioners who would like additional information or would like to share their thoughts regarding the current and potential future Pastoral Leadership structure for St. Patrick and the Pierce Deanery are encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend, but have questions or comments, please send us a message on Facebook or email the parish.Download a summary of Planning for the Pierce Deanery Planning Convocation.
