Diocesan Planning

As outlined in the Bishop’s recent Pastoral Letter and my pulpit remarks, all Parishes in the Diocese of Scranton will participate a year long period of intense pastoral planning and profound parish renewal in 2008. This will involve the parish self-examination process and consultation with our parishioners and parish staff, as well as those of neighboring “cluster” parishes. This process will be a historic moment in the history of our Diocese and will touch every parish, some more than others. The Diocese will be reshaped to meet the needs of our time (changing demographics and a shortage of vocations) as well as for our present and future needs. Change (or in this case, restructuring) is often feared and difficult, but it can also be a source of challenge, hope and encouragement. We need to seriously and honestly reflect on our parish in light of our mission statement to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses. It is our hope to have a more vibrant parish. During this process, you will be invited to pray for its success and to share your ideas and voice your concerns. We will keep your informed along the way and will provide opportunities for seeking your input.

To assist our Diocese and Parishes in this process, the Reid Group, a national consulting firm, has been hired. Each parish will have a “PARISH CORE TEAM” that will facilitate this process and the core team will be part of a Cluster of Parishes. I happy to announce that John Keefe, a parishioner of Nativity BVM Church, has been appointed by the Diocese to coordinate the Cluster of Parishes in our area.

Based on our input and recommendations and those of the Reid Group and the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee, the final decisions for the restructuring, will be made by Bishop Martino in January 2009 with implementation of the directives on July 1, 2009.

Naturally, nothing good can be accomplished without prayer and sacrifice. I urge you to pray for the Guidance of the Holy Spirit in the process and to be open to where God leads us. Please pray the enclosed Diocesan Prayer each day. Additional information may be found on the Diocesan Web Page www.dioceseofscranton.org and by clicking on the icon: Called to Holiness and Mission. It is updated on a regular basis.

The following parishioners have agreed to serve on the Parish Cluster Teams for our Parishes for the year 2008. I am grateful to them for accepting this important and challenging position and the work involved in representing our parish. A training session for the Parish Core Teams will be presented by the Reid Group on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, from 6:30-8:30PM at SS Peter & Paul Church in Towanda. Our Parish Core Teams will work with our Parish Staff, the heads of Parish Advisory Committees and organizations as well as with the general parish population.

Prayer for the Diocese of Scranton
Heavenly Father, hear our prayer. Moved by your Holy Spirit dwelling within our hearts, we humbly ask you, Father, to bless the Diocese of Scranton at this time of profound parish renewal. Send your Holy Spirit upon our clergy, religious and lay faithful, so that we may imitate the fidelity, love and zeal of the early Church. Grant us the humility to preserve and teach the Catholic faith which has been handed on to us, so that we may worship you in Spirit and in Truth. Increase our charity, so that we may generously attend to those who pass before us in need. Bless us with missionary zeal, so that through the proclamation of the Good News, we may be salt, light and leaven to those who are distant from your love.
Holy Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, Saint Peter, Saint John Neumann, Saint Katharine Drexel and all the saints, allow us to join our prayers to yours. Through our union with you in prayer, lead us to the glorious banquet of Heaven, where you praise the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen!