One of those special verses of the bible which I have come to appreciate as a pastor is from the Book of Proverbs: "Where there is no vision, the people perish." (29:18) Or, in other words, if you don't know where you are going, you will never get there.
Where are we going? Almost three years ago Bishop Zubik asked me to become pastor of the four parishes in the city of New Castle. This was the first time one priest received responsibility for four parishes in the history of the diocese of Pittsburgh. He also gave me, and us, the help of two parochial vicars. This was not just an administrative move. This was part of a vision, first expressed almost ten years ago by the local Envisioning Ministry for the Future committee, for one parish in New Castle. Yes, one unified parish. The bishop felt that unified pastoral leadership would bring together four distinct parishes, with four different histories, buildings and communities.
In ways big and small, this is what I have been trying to do, with the help of lots of people. The four parish pastoral councils meet as one body. The four parish finance councils meet as one body. Eighteen month ago we merged four bulletins into one, with 12 full-color pages. Our children's religious education program directors have worked together, with one combined celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation annually. Our RCIA program for welcoming new adults into the church had already been unified. Parishioners have been supporting with their volunteer time and energy each parish's fundraisers and social activities. I hired a part-time business manager to assist in fiscal matters for all four parishes. The three priests (along with resident retired priest Father Joe Pudichery) move easily among our four parishes, celebrating Sunday and weekday Masses, weddings, funerals confessions and baptisms. As a visible sign of unity among the clergy, we three priest live under one roof, in St. Mary Rectory next to Mary Mother of Hope Church.
Mary Mother of Hope, St. Joseph the Worker, St. Vincent de Paul and St. Vitus parishes continue to work together. Following the very successful Our Campaign for the Church Alive, Bishop Zubik has announced On Mission for the Church Alive. This pastoral, evangelical and planning process is intended for every parish in the diocese to pray and ponder, evaluate and assess, where it is going. Over the next year there will be sustained prayer for help from the creative Holy Spirit, then self-study and planning for a future of sharing more widely the Good News of Jesus Christ. Parishes will work more closely together with their neighbors in their cluster, district and vicariate to focus our ministries in sharing more widely the Good News of Christ. Our four parishes are already a "cluster," and have been working with the other parishes in our Lawrence County district. As our parishioners and parishes engage each other in the On Mission process, it seems very likely to me that our four parishes in New Castle will become one in the near future.
Change is never easy, and often brings out fears. it's important to name our fears and to address them. In this process I trust in the every abiding presence of our Savior, Jesus the Lord, the sanctifying presence of the Holy Spirit, and the love and devotion of our parishioners. All of us in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are called to move into the future with hope.
We continue to pray for a conference vision amongst all of us here in the New Castle Parishes. A vision so strong, that will our Lord's help we will triumphantly function as one parish.
ReplyDeleteSo much has happened and is beginning to take effect for the On Mission program. You have helped to prepare us for future of the church.
Under the guidance of the spirit we will prevail! Thanks so much for all that you are and do.
I would like to have a Spiritual Advisor, someone to talk things through with or to share with.
Would you be my Spiritual Advisor?
We continue to pray for a conference vision amongst all of us here in the New Castle Parishes. A vision so strong, that will our Lord's help we will triumphantly function as one parish.
ReplyDeleteSo much has happened and is beginning to take effect for the On Mission program. You have helped to prepare us for future of the church.
Under the guidance of the spirit we will prevail! Thanks so much for all that you are and do.
I would like to have a Spiritual Advisor, someone to talk things through with or to share with.
Would you be my Spiritual Advisor?