Questions are a normal part of transition. Here is a question we have been hearing recently from the parish community along with our answer.
Question
I was not able to attend the Parish Listening Session on November 30, 2015. What did we learn about the effectiveness of the current Pastoral Leadership Model at Saint Patrick Catholic Church?
Answer
Thirty parishioners attended the listening session to express their thoughts, feelings, concerns and questions about the current Pastoral Leadership Model at St. Patrick.
An Invitation to Share
Prior to discussion, those in attendance were invited to share their thoughts on these questions in writing:
- What’s the most significant change in your life under the new Pastoral Leadership Model?
- How has the quality of your spiritual life changed as a result?
- How do you feel about this change?
- What questions do you have about the new Pastoral Leadership Model?
- What message would you like me to convey to Archbishop Sartain or the Vicar of Clergy?
A significant majority, in attendance were supportive of the current Pastoral Leadership Model. With several expressing great satisfaction with our Jesuit sacramental team of parish priest, Kevin Lovejoy’s lay leadership, and Deacon Bill Eckert’s continued overall presence and continuity. The current model of Pastoral Leadership was by far the model of choice when compared to the four other pastoral options currently in use in the diocese: Shared Pastor for two or more independent parishes; Parish Collaborative between three or more combined parishes; Parish Merger of two parishes; Closing Parishes—this is the last resort.
What are parishioners are thinking and feeling?
A sampling of the feelings and concerns expressed:
- Absence of that one familiar face; especially someone who knows the children by name
- Feel a loss of identity without a pastor—someone who brings us all together
- Confusion over who to call on the parish staff for various needs
- Comfort of knowing there is a priest when one is needed because talking to a parish staff just isn’t the same
- What are we doing to encourage vocations to the priesthood
- Concerns whether the current lay Pastoral Coordinator model has been successful? Yes, it has been used in the diocese for 20 years!
- It is difficult getting accustomed to three priests who each do things a little differently, especially for Eucharistic Minister
- What will happen if the Jesuits don’t want to continue after this year?
- Weekly contributions are falling behind and there has been a 6% drop in church attendance since July 2015
What else do parishioners have to say?
Other comments:
- This current model is the way we have to go in light of the reality of the situation
- This model enables the priest to focus on what priests do best such as liturgy and pastoral care, not administration and personnel, and budgets
- Enjoy the variety of masses and prayer styles
- Scared, excited, called to action
- Reminiscent of Early Church, with a dependence upon each other to be church to each other— the Good Samaritan was not a priest
- Priest as leader is always the best model—not all priests make good pastors
- There is a lengthy list of parishes each week in the diocese in need of a priest to celebrate Mass
- We’re doing this for the first time and we are bound to make some mistakes along the way, but we’re learning and we’re getting better as we confront the changes we are faced with
What suggestions did parishioners have?
Suggestions offered:
- Photos of priests with their names in the entry so we can put a face to a name
- Place priests names first in the bulletin, and the lay Pastoral Coordinator second
- Could we partner with Byzantine Eastern Rite clergy?
- Consider a 24 hour phone line
- Expand authority of deacons and consider ordination of women and married men
We are grateful for your feedback.
We extend many thanks to those who participated in the Parish Listening Session. Together we gained a greater appreciation for the blessings we have at St. Patrick, but also for the responsibility we share as parishioners to provide for the spiritual welfare of each other. We are the Church.
Tell us what you think!
For those of you who couldn’t attend, but would like to participate in the conversation, share your thoughts on the five questions listed above by completing the survey online. We want to hear from you!
Upcoming Events
January 28, 2016 Pierce Deanery Leader Convocation
April 14, 2016 Pierce Deanery Parishioner Convocation
Want to learn more?
Download a summary of Planning for the Pierce Deanery, check out the News Archives or email us. To stay in the know— follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
