Catholics throughout the country and indeed throughout the world are beginning to come to grips with the serious reality of a Church operating with fewer and fewer priests and religious women. This dramatic change is well underway and presents us with an opportunity to shape the direction of our parish community. The parish of the future will call for broader participation by parishioners and for significant leadership and ministerial roles by trained men and women, or “lay ecclesial ministers.”
With all of this in mind, Father Tom and the Parish Pastoral Council created a committee to coordinate planning for the future of our parish. The mission of this new Planning Group is to ensure that St. John’s is prepared, in terms of human and other resources, to respond to the new realities it will face in the next five to ten years and beyond.
The initial members of the Planning Group are Rose Mary Donahue, Svea Fraser, Jerry Kehoe, Dan Kenslea, Mike Nilles and John Stewart. They will work closely with members of the parish staff, the pastoral and finance councils, and members of our various parish ministries. As the Group’s agenda is defined more precisely there will be a need for more members, along with help from many others.
A top priority of the Planning Group is to keep members of the parish informed of all that is happening. Regular updates will be published in the parish bulletin and on the parish website, circulated through e-mail exchanges and discussed in small gatherings. Included will be information from the Archdiocese of Boston, recommended reading, links to documents being published and other newsworthy items that will help us become more knowledgeable as people in our archdiocese and throughout the country plan for the Church of the next generation.
God indeed is calling! From the decrees of the Second Vatican Council to numerous pronouncements of recent popes and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Church has called on “ordinary” Catholics to become engaged in the day-to-day work of parishes.
In its 2000 year history Catholics have successfully faced many transitions and challenges by treating them as opportunities for growth and renewal. The best way to do this is by addressing the realities of the situation openly, honestly and creatively. As we consider the structure and practices that will best provide for our spiritual needs, as well as the organizational goals of the parish, we must be mindful of the profound and beautiful mission God has entrusted to each of us, confident that the Holy Spirit will continue to provide the guidance we need.
