Highlights

Diocesan Pastoral Council Meeting

May, 2005

According to Church law (Canon 511),

“In each diocese, to the extent that pastoral circumstances recommend it, a pastoral council is to be established whose responsibility it is to investigate under the authority of the bishop all those things which pertain to pastoral works, to ponder them and to propose practical conclusions about them.”

Membership of the Diocesan Pastoral Council is comprised of representatives from diocesan committees and councils, and two representatives from each region, who meet five times each year with the bishop.

May Agenda Discussion

- Jo Ann Borchert, Consultant for Adult Faith Formation, reported to the Council on the state of adult faith formation in the diocese. As the Council studies ways to introduce the evangelization priority, they wanted to identify the long-term impact of RENEW and the practice of adult education. Thirty-three parishes have RENEW-like small groups meeting with 650 participants. Small groups, bible study and retreats/missions seem to be the most widely-used models.

.

- A preliminary plan for the 50th Anniversary observance of the diocese was finalized and recommended to the Bishop for approval. The plan includes diocesan and parish celebrations, historical displays, and outreach activities. The September issue of The Prairie Catholic will include complete details of the events which will coincide with the observance from November 17, 2007 to November 17, 2008.

-Diocesan calendars of events for 2005-2006 were distributed

to members.

- The diocesan evangelization priority discussion continued. It was suggested that the word "evangelization" is used frequently and has many different meanings for people. The thrust of the priority is to "bring the church into the world." How can this happen? Parishes need to ask the questions: How do we want to be different or what do we want to be doing differently? Area Faith Community missions were discussed as a possible way of communicating the message. A possible theme was discussed, such as "Re-Discovering Christ in the Church." The discussion summary will be shared with the diocesan staff for further development.

- The Condition/Assessments Report on the Diocesan Pastoral Center was reviewed. The Center is forty-five years old and in need of extensive renovation to its mechanical and electrical systems. None of the conditions require immediate attention but all will need to be addressed within the next four years. Bishop Nienstedt has appointed a study committee to examine the options and to propose a plan of action.