 |
April 13, 2006
|
 |
Avoid ‘Eucharistic famine,’ planners told
|
|
First assembly surfaces concerns, reports accomplishments
|
|
|
|
ST. FRANCIS — When Ellen Rodriguez made her report on behalf of District 7 during the first archdiocesan planning assembly April 1, one of her statements had many of the 250 participants nodding in agreement.
“We don’t want a Eucharist famine in our clusters,” she stated.
Warding off that eucharistic famine may well become a foundation block in the archdiocese’s planning as the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, the implementation commission, and members of district councils gathered to hear how the districts had fared in their attempts to achieve archdiocesan goals. These goals include:
— Access to Eucharist in word, sacrament, service and community for the faithful;
— Opportunities to live eucharistic lives through practice of spiritual and corporal works of mercy;
— Wise stewardship of human and temporal resources.
In light of those goals, each district examined how it had grown in holiness; strengthened its parishes; strengthened Catholic education and lifelong faith formation; developed a “culture of vocations,” emphasized mission of justice and charity; and practiced stewardship.
In making their reports, facilitators were asked to answer:
To what is the church in southeastern Wisconsin being called? How are we being changed? Challenged? Transformed?
What are the implications for the faithful? Our clergy? Our parish staffs? Our bishops? District and cluster work?
Much of what was presented focused upon communication, education and vocations.
Brenda Ross, APC member from District 2, said that among the challenges were, “Vocations! Vocations! Vocations! Education! Education! Education!”
She noted that the 12 parishes in Racine County, east of I-94, had “good clustering.” Among their concerns are how to get youth involved in the church, and how to attract and keep members.
APC District 4 representative John Zinda said that parishes in eastern Waukesha County, i.e., Brookfield, Butler, Elm Grove, Menomonee Falls, and New Berlin, were dealing with changing demographics, and “fear of change by laity and clergy.”
“We have to plan instead of react. Pastors have to delegate work,” he said. “We have to teach each other it’s not a bad thing; it’s an opportunity to get involved.”
Speaking for District 5 – western Waukesha County, which she represents on the APC, Vivian Whitcomb said more communication from the archdiocese and others was needed.
“We need a clearer statement from the U.S. bishops as to what they’ll let us (laity) do, and what they want us to do,” she said.
Recommending that priests should let go of administrative work, Whitcomb added, “Priests need to be spiritual leaders.”
That point was echoed by Melvin Free, APC representative from District 9 in Sheboygan County, who said, “Let pastors do sacramental jobs. Let lay people do non-sacramental ministries.”
Mark Sedarski, speaking on behalf of District 13 – central northern section of Milwaukee County, said, “Our priority needs to be better evangelization.”
Noting that it was imperative to “stand with the poor and marginalized,” he added, “We are seen as part of the community by our actions, not just our words.”
In District 15, southeastern Milwaukee County, evangelization, collaboration, and education were all concerns — concerns for which parishioners needed to take responsibility, according to APC representative Monica Phillip.
“We, as Catholics, need to take ownership of our faith … everyone has a part,” she said.
Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan concluded the gathering by expressing his gratitude to all involved in the discussions, and by reminding them it was an “ongoing process.”
“We have common concerns of urgency, hope,” the archbishop said.
Fr. Brian Mason, vicar for archdiocesan planning, was pleased not only with the size of the turnout, but by the topics they addressed and the agreement expressed.
“There was so much commonality,” he told your Catholic Herald. “And a continued emphasis of passing the faith on to youth and young adults, of drawing them into the church and to share the call.”
Another point that was made “many, many times,” he said, was “let people do what they are qualified to do.”
Noreen Welte, director of parish planning for the archdiocese, called the assembly “a great first step.” Noting that “there is a lot going on in the districts,” she said one of the values in the meeting was what was discussed and reported by the districts.
“Whatever we’re planning, we must do all we can to avoid ‘Eucharistic famine,’” said Welte, echoing Rodriguez’s words.
The implementation will meet May 8 to discuss the assembly and to consider what recommendations it will make to the archbishop. |
|
|
|
