"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11
Welcome to the Office of Pastoral Planning.
We truly believe we are guided by the Spirit and have titled the planning process: "Our Journey of Faith . . . led by the Spirit" which also follows on the theme already established by the "We Walk by Faith" process going on in individual parishes.
Going forward in a prayerful and at the same time logical way, the diocese has been divided into 19 Local Planning Areas, based on geography and existing parish relationships. A map of the planning areas can be accessed by clicking here. Each of the 19 areas has a Local Planning Committee consisting of two parish representatives, the pastor, a trained facilitator, and a "local chair." The local chair is a priest, deacon or religious who knows the region well.
In order to introduce the Strategic Planning process to all parishioners in the diocese, three Vicariate meetings were held in Fall of 2007. The purpose of these meetings was to give an overview of the planning process to all interested parishioners and parish leadership in the diocese and to allow a "brainstorming process" to gather fresh ideas which may be used in developing the strategic plan. Bishop DiLorenzo has stated this needs to be a "bottom up process" and we have learned from other dioceses across the country who have gone through a similar planning process that the best plans include local parishioner involvement and ideas.
The 19 Local Planning Areas (LPAs) met separately in Spring of 2008 and each submitted a plan for approval. The plans have all been approved by the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Commission and will be presented to all parishioners at three Vicariate meetings scheduled to take place through early November. Click here to find an alphabetical listing of our parishes and their respective LPA.
We pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance throughout this process. We hope you will pray for an increase in vocations and the success of the planning process. For more information, please see About Pastoral Planning.