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ST. FRANCIS — A new leader brings a new style of
leadership. The restructuring of the Milwaukee Archdiocesan
central offices and agencies reflects the leadership
style of its leader, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, believes Jerry Topczewski,
administrative assistant to the archbishop.
For example, rather than continuing with a cabinet of 10-12 close advisors as
Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland met with twice a month, Archbishop Dolan will
meet weekly with an executive council of four people and Auxiliary Bishop Richard
J. Sklba.
The four members of the executive council are the Vicar for Clergy (currently
Fr. Joseph Hornacek; Fr. Curt Frederick after July 1); Wayne Schneider, the archdiocesan
finance officer, chancellor Barbara Anne Cusack, and Topczewski.
Another change in central office structure is the shift to providing services
to parishes through a regional delivery system.
“Our restructuring is based on what we heard from parish representatives,
school leaders, and organizations through the parish planning process, small
group discussions and surveys,” said Archbishop Dolan in a written release. “Their
message was clear. Parish leaders want more training, support and services to
help them effectively minister to parishioners and people in their community,
especially in areas of catechetics, spirituality, evangelization and stewardship.
And they want this support to be accessible and available in their region of
the archdiocese, vs. a location that is not geographically centralized.”
This approach of bringing services to the geographically dispersed archdiocese
reflects Archbishop Dolan’s desire to be out among the people, noted Topczewski.
The archbishop was instrumental in setting the four-part vision of the archdiocese,
rooted in the mandate of the church, to teach, to sanctify and to serve, with
a fourth branch to assist the other three areas.
In fact, Topczewski noted, in a July 2002 conference call with priests of the
archdiocese after his appointment to the Milwaukee Archdiocese, but before his
installation, Archbishop Dolan was asked about his approach to ministry and was
clear it is modeled after Jesus Christ as priest, prophet and king.
In late April, the archbishop announced to staff through an e-mail that directors
were selected for three of the four ministry areas. They are:
• Fr. William Kohler, ordained in 1967, appointed director for parish life and
worship, while continuing his current duties as director of the priest placement
board.
• Diane Knight, appointed archdiocesan director for community and apostolic services,
while continuing as director of Catholic Charities, a post she’s held since
April 2001. Knight began working for Catholic Charities in January 1991.
• Barbara Anne Cusack, appointed director for administrative services, while
remaining as archdiocesan chancellor, a position she’s held since July
1994. She began working for the archdiocese as vice-chancellor in September 1987.
David Prothero, director of Catholic education, is interim director of educational
and formational services while a search continues to fill the position.
Planning in the archdiocese is an ongoing process, Topczewski said.
In a weekly e-mail sent to archdiocesan employees, the archbishop wrote, “...
this is a ‘work in progress.’ Especially during the next year, we
will continue to refine the ministries and services of the archdiocese, NOT,
God forbid, to trim more jobs, but to make sure that the services God’s
people expect from us are given effectively, competently, and lovingly.” |
