Pastoral Planning

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WORLDWIDE & DIOCESE-WIDE CONVERSATIONS

TRANSFORMING OUR LIVES; BUILDING OUR CHURCH

Synod and Diocesan Pastoral Planning

Pope Francis announced that in preparation for the next Synod of Bishops, there will be a worldwide conversation in the Church or a "synod" about community, engaged participation, and the mission of evangelization. This conversation is following a two-year path and involving the People of God - everyone, everywhere.

On Sunday, October 17, 2021, +Most Reverend Bishop Miehm celebrated the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains to launch the synod and the diocesan pastoral planning process locally. This celebration rooted the synod in prayer, sacrament, and community. This Mass was also live-streamed through the link to the YouTube channel for the Diocese.

To open the conversations, the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee launched a survey inviting the input of all the People of God. This input will be part of both the worldwide and local conversations to establish pastoral priorities within the Church.

The survey was opened from October 17, 2021, to November 26, 2021, and it reopened from December 16, 2021, to January 14, 2022. The response was tremendous!

A summary of results from this survey has been provided for the parishes and websites so that you can see how the input from the conversation is being collated locally and formulated for the synodal process.

SUMMARY OF FEEDBACK RECEIVED FROM THE SURVEY

WHAT ARE WE HEARING?

After reading the summary, What are we hearing?, what do you think? Do you have further thoughts, insights and feedback to share?

Click EMAIL.

Thank you for contributing your voice, your experiences, and your hopes to this conversation!

Join the conversations at your parish!

Parish Discussion Sessions

Parish Discussion Process Background Context

Rebuilt discussions (2019-2020)

Good beginning
Interrupted by the pandemic
Solid foundation for moving the discussions forward now

Parish Discussion Process going forward 2021-2022

Parish Discussion Process Overview

There are 3 Main Themes for the Synod on the Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission

Please read For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.

The parish will host three discussion forums - in person, online - as you determine.

Please consult your parish team about these 3 themes and the suggested questions for discussion and reflection.

Parish Discussion Process Scripture Focus

SCRIPTURE FOCUS FOR THE PARISH DISCUSSION PROCESS

Acts 10

John 16: 12 - 15

Parish Discussion Session #1 - Communion

Discussion Questions - Communion

Who is part of the Church?
Are any persons or groups left on the margins, expressly or in fact?
How do we listen to the laity, especially to young people and women, to consecrated men and women, to the minorities, or to the excluded?
Can we speak out freely?
How are divergences of vision, conflicts, or difficulties addressed?
What experiences of dialogue and shared commitment do we have with believers of other Christian Denominations, religions and with non-believers?

Parish Discussion Session #2 - Participation

Discussion Questions - Participation

How does our prayer and worship inspire and guide our common journey?
How do we promote the active participation of all the faithful in the liturgy?
How do we support our members in reflection and in their growth in faith and formation?
How do we come together to assume responsibility on the parish level and beyond?
How do we define the goals to be pursued, the way to achieve them, and the steps to be taken?
How do we see authority and responsibility within the Church?
By what procedures and methods do we reflect together and make decisions?
How and with what tools do we promote transparency and accountability within leadership?

Parish Discussion Session #3 - Mission

Discussion Questions - Mission

How do we call each person to recognize their share in the Church’s mission?
How do we have dialogue with the various groups in our Church, our Christian communities and our world?
What are the fruits we have drawn from this common journey?
What are the difficulties?
How do we encourage an authentic form of communication within the Church and with others?
Can we dialogue with secular society?
How do we reconcile social priorities and goals with the priority of the Church’s mission?
How do we discern our missions and support members engaged in mission?
How do we form and help those who hold roles of responsibility?

Parish Discussion Process Report

Report

Please formulate the responses from the Parish Discussion Process in a 1 to 2 page response.
The due date is January 12, 2022.
Submit to Fr. Tom Lynch and Fr. Jerry Tavares by clicking on the red box below:
EMAIL REPORT TO FR. TOM LYNCH AND FR. JERRY TAVARES
click DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLANNING AND SYNOD

Parish Discussion Process Requirements

Requirements

Host three sessions at the parish between October 17, 2021 and the 2021 Christmas Season.

Write a one to two page summary of the parish discussions with a section for each - communion, participation, and mission.

Submit the one to two page summary report to Fr. Tom Lynch or Fr. Jerry Tavares by January 12, 2022.

Click

EMAIL REPORT TO FR. TOM LYNCH AND FR. JERRY TAVARES click DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLANNING AND SYNOD

Unable to attend the Parish Discussion Sessions at your parish?

Please click this link to provide your input online.

ONLINE INPUT - PARISH DISCUSSION SESSIONS

Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee Members

These are the members of the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee:

Most Reverend Bishop Miehm, Chair of the Committee
Msgr. Michael Heffernan, Vicar General, Diocesan Finance Council member
Deirdre Thomas, Assistant to the Bishop / Communications
Fr. Joseph Devereaux, Dean of Central Deanery
Helena Lessard, Diocesan President of the Catholic Women's League / Central Deanery layperson
Fr. Randy Foster, Dean of the City Deanery
Jacob Sullivan, City Deanery layperson
Fr. Tom Lynch, Priest and Principal of Sacred Heart College
Deacon Sean Gallagher
Fr. Craig Cruikshank, Dean of the Southern Deanery
Anne Higgins, Southern Deanery layperson
Fr. Roy Villas, Dean of the Northern Deanery
Kathie Hogan. Northern Deanery layperson
Deb McRae, Director of Finance, Property, and Administration, Diocesan Finance Council member
Joanne Hough, Catholic Lay Organization Member, Past President CWL
Sr. Eileen McManus CSJ, Religious
Fr. Jerry Tavares, Resource for Parishes
Michael Nasello, Collaborative Consultation Resource
Jeannie Armstrong, Superintendent of Learning-Faith/Equity and Secondary Program, Clarington Family of Schools, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board