The Diocese of New Ulm is now embarking on the development of the fourth Plan for Parishes.  Five years ago, the third Plan for Parishes introduced the Area Faith Community (AFC) model to the Diocese of New Ulm.  The model brought together from two to five parishes which shared historical cluster relationships, geographic proximity, school districts, and shopping patterns.

        An AFC calls for greater collaboration among the parishes with regard to personnel, ministries, programs, and resources.  AFCs were asked to develop a common ministry plan for the area, establish an Area Pastoral Council (APC), set up area ministry committees, and select a name for the AFC.  The Plan for Parishes, 2003-2008 called for the establishment of twenty-three AFCs and the designation of ten parishes as proposed future oratories.

        All parishes were organized into AFCs except for four parishes:  St. Anthony, Watkins; Holy Rosary, North Mankato; St. John, Faxon Township; and St. Joseph, Henderson.  They were to be involved in collaborative relationships with parishes from other dioceses.  All twenty-three AFCs have submitted their initial plans.  Four AFCs are working on a second plan.  About half of the AFCs have established an APC.  Eight have selected a name for their AFC.

        Of the ten proposed oratories, two petitioned the Bishop to close; St. Anthony, Regal, and Saints Cyril and Methodius, Taunton.  Both of these parishes have been closed.  Four parishes became oratories; St. Joseph, Clements; Visitation, Danvers; St. Thomas, Jessenland; and St. Thomas, Sanborn.  The remaining four proposed oratories will retain their classifications into the next plan.

        Evaluations from pastoral leaders and AFC leadership have indicated that the AFC model has been accepted, that every AFC can point to some progress, that the degree of progress varies from AFC to AFC, and that many people see the AFC as the way that “parish” will be experienced in the future.  The evaluations also indicate that the AFCs have initiated all types of new collaborative activity, from sharing staff, ministries, and programs, to beginning new ministries, as well as expanding others.  There have also been innovations, such as sharing a single staff for the AFC and rotating priests throughout the AFC at weekend Masses.

        In order to build on the Plan for Parishes, 2003-2008 and to develop the Plan for Parishes, 2009-2014, each AFC and the four parishes with collaborative relationships with parishes from other dioceses will be asked to meet.  They will view a PowerPoint presentation on the present status of the diocese and will provide input for the fourth plan.  The Plan for Parishes, 2003-2008 did more than introduce new organization into the diocese.  The Plan brought a new vision for Catholic Schools, Hispanic Ministry, and for five key priority areas.

        The Plan for Catholic Schools calls for greater collaboration in AFCs and among AFCs for the support of Catholic elementary and secondary schools.  A diocesan scholarship has been established to benefit schools and students, as well as a Diocesan School Committee, which coordinates collaboration among schools and promotes religious and academic excellence.  There are three high schools (collaboration with a fourth) and sixteen elementary schools serving the diocese.

        The Plan for Hispanic Ministry calls for the addition of two Spanish language worship sites at Hutchinson and Montevideo.  These sites join the other six at Glencoe, Litchfield, Marshall, Renville, Sleepy Eye, and Willmar.  All AFCs and individual parishes are also urged to develop local pastoral ministries which welcome and include our Spanish speaking brothers and sisters.

        The five priorities from 2003-2008 were:

·        Vocation recruitment to the priesthood, religious life, and permanent diaconate;

·        Implementation of the Plan for Parishes;

·        Initiation of an annual Diocesan Ministries Appeal (DMA);

·        Establishment of programs of formation for lay ministers; and

·        Introduction of an evangelization process.

        All five priorities were addressed with various degrees of success.  These priorities will continue to impact the diocese for many years to come.

        As the Plan for Parishes, 2009-2014 is developed, there is some important information which the people of the diocese need to know regarding population estimates and profiles, as well as the projected number of priests.

        The State Office on Demographics tells us that the population in the northeast corner of the diocese will continue to increase.  The population in the central and southeast corner of the diocese will be stable or show a small increase.  Population in the western part of the diocese will continue to decline.  In general, the average age of residents in the diocese will continue to rise.  The Hispanic population will continue to grow and make up a larger percentage of the overall population.

        The number of priests available for ministry is likely to change significantly over the next five years.  Currently, there are forty-seven priests in active ministry, including four priests from other countries.  Seven priests are already over the age of 70 and, in the next five years, five more priests will become eligible to retire at the age of 70.  That number of twelve possible retirees represents nearly 30% of all diocesan priests.

        With an average number of ordinations and without factoring in any international priests, by 2014, there will be about thirty-five diocesan priests to serve the present twenty-three AFCs and four individual parishes.  Between 2014 and 2019, another nine priests will become eligible for retirement.  From that point on, the number of priests is projected to level off at about thirty and remain stable throughout the ensuing years.  This means that most AFCs will have one pastor and some will have a parochial vicar as well.

        The good news is the planning that the diocese has undertaken will allow for priestly ministry at all AFCs for decades well into the future.  The not so good news is that there will be fewer priests to serve the faithful of the diocese in many AFCs.  In order to assist me in developing a new vision and priorities for the next five years, each AFC and the four individual parishes will meet to provide input and advice.

        Twelve possible priorities have emerged during the evaluation phase of the planning process from people like you.  These are not presented in any predetermined order.

·        Reduce administrative demands on priests;

·        Enhance Catholic Schools and religious education programs;

·        Increase vocation recruitment efforts; and

·        Expand ministry to the Hispanic community.

·        Steward the resources of AFCs better;

·        Develop more ministry programs to and for the elderly;

·        Involve the laity more in AFCs; and

·        Increase collaboration among ministers and ministries.

·        Make Mass and Sacraments as accessible as possible;

·        Increase emphasis on adult faith formation;

·        Emphasize evangelization to the young, unchurched, and non-attending; and

·        Enhance marriage preparation.

        At the conclusion of the meetings of the AFCs and four other parishes, you will be asked to review this list of possible priorities and rank your top three.

        As can be seen from this presentation, the Diocese of New Ulm is facing some significant challenges, especially within the next five years.  Consequently, the present planning process is critical as we move into the future.  The most important part of the planning process is prayer.  The most important prayer is to say to God, “Thy will be done.”  When we pray this prayer, God will respond with the wisdom and grace we need to accomplish His will.  It is with confidence and trust in God that we embark upon the development of the Plan for Parishes, 2009-2014.