Where does your parish stand?

Since January 2006, we’ve been presenting special reports about the effect that priest shortages and shifting populations may have on your parish. Last month, we explained the ongoing process for parish improvement, mergers, clusters and closures and preliminary observations by regional review committees.

This month, we take a look at a few of the numbers – comparing the sizes of parish churches with the numbers of people in the pews. These numbers are only some of the criteria being used for evaluating your parish. And we give you some of the definitions – what some of the terms you’ll be hearing over the months actually mean.

Next month, and in the months to follow, you’ll read the recommendations for parish improvement, mergers, clusters and closures from our parishes, regions and the Diocesan Coordinating Commission.

If you’ve missed a piece of this ongoing series, or would like to review it, please visit www.dioceseoflansing.org for more information.

Terminology:

Priest: A man who has been ordained to the order of the presbyterate. All pastors and parochial vicars are priests.

Pastor: An ordained priest who exercises pastoral care in the community entrusted to him under the authority of the diocesan bishop. He has the duties of teaching, sanctifying and governing.

Parochial vicar: A priest who is assigned to a parish or parishes to assist the pastor with his parochial duties.

Sacramental minister: A priest who does not reside in a parish that is being administered by a pastoral coordinator, but attends to the pastoral and sacramental needs of the parishioners. Sacramental ministers are needed to celebrate Mass.

Pastoral coordinator: In the absence of a resident priest, a parish leader with advanced academic preparation and ministry experience, appointed by the bishop to administer the pastoral, administrative and financial duties of a parish. A pastoral coordinator cannot celebrate Mass. There are pastoral coordinators in approximately 4 percent of U.S. Catholic parishes.

Pastoral associate: A professional minister who collaborates with the pastor or pastoral coordinator to execute the mission of the parish. The pastoral associate assists in carrying out the parish goals and objectives through several areas of ministry, including liturgy and sacramental preparation; pastoral care to the sick and bereavement ministry; spiritual formation; and administrative assistance.

Deacon: A man who is ordained to the diaconate to serve the people of God. He is not a priest, but assists the bishop and pastors. He can baptize, witness weddings, proclaim the Gospel, preach and assist with funerals.

Parish pastoral council: Representatives of a parish who – through prayer, study and discernment – provide advice for the pastor or pastoral coordinator. Additionally, the council promotes parish life and encourages the congregation to become involved in
the parish community.

Diocesan pastoral planner: A person who helps the bishop and diocese develop strategies for the betterment of the faithful. The diocesan pastoral planner facilitates sound planning; support for the diocese and its parishes through a well-researched and well-constructed plan. He or she also provides consistent communication to parishes regarding diocesan planning initiatives.

To view charts full size, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

Population Growth Forecast	Priest to Mass attendees by county
click for larger image	click for larger image