Transcript Journeying Towards Our 125th Anniversary: A Pastoral Plan

To Hold and Teach the Catholic Faith
Approaching the 125th Anniversary of the
Diocese of Sioux Falls
A Pastoral Plan
What makes us Catholic?
Marks of the Church
• One
– 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
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Marks of the Church—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
–
–
–
–
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Founded on the Apostles
Continues the Mission of the Apostles
Continues to teach what the Apostles taught
Continues to be guided by the Apostles from Heaven
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Church of the Sacraments
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•
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•
•
•
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Baptism
Confirmation
Holy Communion
Reconciliation
Anointing of the Sick
Holy Matrimony
Holy Orders
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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,
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What is a Diocese? (cont’d)
• Who consults with the Diocesan Finance
Council, Council of Priests, and Others as
applicable, (e.g. Priest Personnel Board)
• Who establishes parishes,
• And who appoints pastors for each to teach,
to sanctify, and to govern.
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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
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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 and/or the
Chancellor of the Diocese as Vice President
– Pastor of the Parish as Secretary/Treasurer
– Two Lay trustees from the Parish
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Our Mission and Purpose
of Pastoral Planning
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History:
Legacy:
Stewardship:
Responsibility:
Pastoral:
continuity
respect
care
teach
sensitivity
Salvation of Souls
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Core Goals for Pastoral Planning
1. Regular access to the Sacraments, especially the
Most Holy Eucharist, throughout the entire
Diocese,
2. Assure that solid Catholic Faith formation for all
ages is offered throughout the Diocese,
3. Provide opportunity to gather as a people of faith
in vibrant and viable parishes, and
4. While at the same time assuring The physical and
spiritual health and well-being of our priests.
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Pastoral Planning Process:
Three Phases or Tasks
1. Data Gathering: Gather objective statistical
information in our Diocese and Parishes today and
projections about the future.
2. Vision: Identify what we hope to be focusing on in
2014, the 125th Anniversary of the establishment
of the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
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.
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All will be ongoing
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Data Gathering
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Statistical Information
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Demographics – today and projected
Parish Households – today and projected
Priests – today and projected
Sacramental activity
Mass attendance (to be taken annually)
South Dakota Population
Demographic Data: View of Diocesan Reality
• Total South Dakota Population
– 2010 – 814,180 (2010 Actual Census Data Jan’11)
– 2012 - 847,028 (2008 estimate, subj to revision)
• East River South Dakota
– 2010 – 569,926 (2008 estimate)
– 2012 - 593,756 (2008 estimate)
• West River South Dakota
– 2010 – 244,254 (2008 estimate)
– 2012 - 253,272 (2008 estimate)
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8/27/2008
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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 of priests and religious
• Many liturgies sparsely attended in many parishes
of the Diocese
• Other sacraments rarely celebrated in many
parishes
• Fewer children
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Central
Study Area
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Central Study Group
US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Data
Central Study Group
US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Data
Central Study Group
US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Data
Central Study Group
US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Data
City
Brookings
1990
2000
Central Study Area Population by City
Current
14,951
16,270
18,504
20,184
White
474
536
530
513
Aurora
507
619
500
483
2,114
2,311
2,376
2,201
632
602
677
655
1,169
1,156
1,071
885
Canova
(Epiphany)
194
172
140
117
Ramona
241
194
190
195
Madison
6,210
6,257
6,540
6,605
DeSmet
1,237
1,172
1,164
1,074
Arlington
991
908
992
904
Iroquois
348
328
278
238
13,000
12,448
11,893
11,281
Flandreau
Elkton
Howard
Huron
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1980
Based on July 1, 2009-State of SD, Department of Labor Statistics
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Sacramental Life
of the Diocese
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Average Mass Attendance*, **
47 %-------------- April 2008
44%-------------- March 2009
38%-------------- March 2010
36%.................. March 2011
*Based on parish surveys taken on 3 consecutive weekends
**2011 % based on 127,000 Catholics
2011 Present and Projected
Priests in Parish Ministry
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2008:
2009:
2010:
2011:
2012:
92 Active Priests
89 Active Priests
81 Active Priests
78 Active Priests
74 Projected Active Priests
• 15 priests from Religious Orders/other
dioceses
• 8 Foreign Born Priests
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The Number of Religious Priests has
declined in the last twenty years.
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Priests are not statistics
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Different gifts
Health and stamina
Special ministries
Sabbaticals and further education
Parochial Vicars (Associate Pastors)
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Estimates only, can change by
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Additional Vocations
Change in health status of active priest
Additional Priests from Religious Orders
Withdrawal of Priests from Religious Orders
Additional Foreign-born Priests
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What Does This Ask of Us?
Recognizing 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
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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
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Vision
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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
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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 presence
• Active youth groups
• Stable financial support for the parish
• Parishioners take responsibility and pride in
the parish
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Key Characteristics of Vibrant Priests
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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
• Respected leader who collaborates
• Welcoming, receptive, with sense of humor
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Key Characteristics of Vibrant Priests,
(cont’d)
• Prioritizes caring for self physically,
emotionally, and spiritually
• Communicates, delegates, and empowers
others.
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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
Parish Life
Respectful and caring relationships within and beyond
individual parishes
Accountability
Regular assessment of fidelity to the Pastoral Plan by parishes
and the Diocese
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Implementation Steps
• Review and propose ways in which parishes
and the Diocese can develop these needed
transformations in practical ways
• The Bishop
– Consults with the faithful
– Evaluates and reconfigures Diocesan Chancery
Offices to respond to the Vision
– Encourages the transformations to be
implemented
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Planning Process
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Options for Response
• Do nothing
• Plan and implement with consultation
• Directives from above
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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.
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Expected Implications (cont’d)
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 fully Catholic, in all
aspects, breadth and depth for ourselves, each
other, our communities and the Church.
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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
• and develop a practical plan that takes into
account the statistical realities in context of
the Vision while taking into account local
circumstances
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Area Consultation Meetings
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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
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Possible actions
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No Change
Linking – two parishes
Clustering – three or more parishes
Merging existing Parishes
Establish New Parishes
Rotate Masses
Team pastors
Maintain non-sacramental sites
Close
Your Ideas
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Practical Planning Parameters and Guides
• Look to the future, not just today
• Projected numbers of priests
• No more than three Sunday liturgies celebrated, including
the Saturday Vigil
• Additional sacramental and pastoral needs
• Number of households
• The shortest drive time
• Present sacramental life
• Condition of Buildings: access and modern facilities factored
• Financial Health
• Religious education and Catholic schools
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Special Issues
• Chaplaincies
– hospital, nursing homes, hospices
– prison/jail
– military
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Newman Centers
Catholic schools
Associates/Parochial Vicars
Extraordinary Form (Latin)
Unique cultures
- Hispanic, African, Native American, Burmese
Issues brought forward in previous
study areas
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Who may be ordained
Sunday obligation met during the week
Sunday obligation met though the media
Role of laity
Role of religious
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Central
Study Area
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Current Configuration
Brookings (Parish)
1 priest
Brookings (Newman Center)/White 1 priest
Flandreau/Elkton/Colman
1 priest
Howard/Ramona/Epiphany
1 priest
Madison
1 priest
DeSmet/Arlington/Iroquois
1 priest
Huron
1 priest
Aurora
(no assigned priest-parish adm)
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Suggested Plan
Current:
Proposed:
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13 Parishes
1 Newman Center
7 priests
1 Parish Administrator
10 parishes*
1 Newman Center
2 parishes w/o regularly scheduled
liturgies (Aurora, Ramona)
7 priests
*Colman linked w/Dell Rapids
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Suggested Plan
Brookings/White/Newman Center
2 priests
Arlington/DeSmet/Iroquois
1 priest
Elkton/Flandreau
1 priest
Epiphany/Howard
1 priest
Huron
1 priest
Madison
1 priest
Ramona, Aurora without regular scheduled
liturgies
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
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Consultation with You
• include practical implications, story and
special 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
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Issues to Prepare for in Implementation
• Practical effect on people: Priests, deacons, staff,
volunteers, councils, commissions 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 (note: local funds remain local)
• Continuous improvement of current ministries:
Sacramental, faith formation, education, pastoral care,
outreach and justice, administration
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Core Goals
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.
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Charge to All Faithful of the Diocese
• We must plan
• We are one body, one faith, one church, one family
- Catholic
• Change must intentionally happen because change
is happening.
• Your active involvement and 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.
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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
legacy of 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.
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To Hold and Teach the Catholic Faith
Approaching the 125th Anniversary of the Diocese
of Sioux Falls
A Pastoral Plan