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A stronger, more robust community of faith |
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By Archbishop John C. Nienstedt
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Thursday, 12 August 2010 |
I trust that everyone who reads this column has had an opportunity to take some vacation time this summer. As Catholics, our stewardship for our families and for others also extends to the care that we show to our own physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological health. As human beings, we need rest and relaxation in order to balance the demands of our everyday life.
 That They May All
Be One
Archbishop John C. Nienstedt
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I, myself, just returned from a three-week “working vacation” in Michigan. I say “working” because for the past three years, I have had the office send me my mail each week while I am away. I am also in touch with staff almost every day.
Thus, the home that I purchased with a priest friend more than 20 years
ago near Lake Huron has become my “Camp David.” I can rest and relax,
yet I stay in touch with the archdiocese. When I return to the office,
there is only a week’s worth of mail waiting for me.
Reading the document
This year’s “working vacation” also had another purpose. As I left on
July 2, our vicar general, Father Peter Laird, gave me the 300-page
report from the Strategic Planning Task Force. You can imagine my
reaction: “What’s this? I’m going on vacation!” Nevertheless, I took
the first week at my home on Lake Huron to read the document three
times.
First of all, let me say that I found that the Strategic Planning Task
Force did an excellent job of compiling data and giving credible
rationale for their recommendations. I believe the whole archdiocese
owes these members its heartfelt gratitude.
Second, I admit that I did not agree with all the recommendations that
were made. I have asked for more information and, over the next few
weeks, I will consult with members of the Presbyteral Council, the
archdiocesan Finance Council, the archdiocesan staff and the task force
itself. I want to stress that this Strategic Plan is not “my plan.” It
belongs to all who have participated in the process.
What was very clear to me in reading the report is that the overall
vision of what has been proposed needs to be emphasized and clearly
articulated. Yes, it is true that our limited resources, declining
personnel and changing demographics demand that we reassess the way we
function as church. But the overall reality is that we are the Body of
Christ, called and sent forth to be the presence of Jesus in our world
today.
The Strategic Plan is all about this divinely revealed fact, and how we
can better proclaim the Kingdom of God by inviting all men and women
into a communion of faith, hope and love.
The first step in providing for such a renewed local church is to ensure
that our resources are being used efficiently. Once we are convinced
that we have the right balance of property, personnel and finances to
carry out our mission as church, then we will renew our programs in the
areas of catechesis, evangelization, sacramental celebration and
Christian service.
Let me be clear: This whole process is aimed at a stronger and more
robust community of faith, one that will be an attractive powerhouse of
spiritual guidance as well as for strong leadership in the public
square.
In the display case that sits at the front entrance of our Chancery, a
perspective on the past 150 years of this local church is being shown.
The stories represented there demonstrate that our ancestors faced many
challenges to give us the parishes, schools and other Catholic
institutions that we have today. Those forebearers in faith made
sacrifices and took risks to ensure that the church had the proper
resources to proclaim the Gospel and call all men and women to Christ.
That is the same challenge we face today, albeit in very different
circumstances. In the end, we may be a leaner church, but I believe we
will also be a more effective church, shaping the future for the benefit
of all.
One final story: A very insightful, holy woman told me this past week
that I ought not to be worried about the reaction to the Strategic Plan.
She said everyone she has talked to feels certain that his/her parish
will be closed. So, she said, when the facts are presented, more people
will be relieved than upset!
I hope she is right! I firmly believe that what we are doing with the
Strategic Plan is in the best interests of all Catholics in this
archdiocese.
“Be not afraid,” the angel Gabriel said to Mary. Those are helpful words for all of us to ponder.
God bless you!
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