Diocese of Grand Rapids Shares Vision, Process, Recommendations of “our Faith, Our Future” Pastoral Plan

Diocese of Grand Rapids
April 12, 2012

http://www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/our_diocese/Documents/Our%20Faith%20Our%20Future/Final%20Reports/NR_OFOF_final.pdf

[the report]

[SUMMARY OF HIGHLIGHTS]

[Summary of Priest Personnel]

[Resources]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 12, 2012

Contact: Michael Zalewski, SeyferthPR

Phone: 800-435-9539

Email: zalewski@seyferthpr.com

DIOCESE OF GRAND RAPIDS SHARES VISION, PROCESS, RECOMMENDATIONS OF “OUR FAITH, OUR FUTURE” PASTORAL PLAN

Grand Rapids, Mich., April 12, 2012 – Today, the Diocese of Grand Rapids shared the vision, process and recommendations resulting from its pastoral planning process “Our Faith, Our Future.” Launched in 2009, the strategic plan is designed to establish a well-defined direction for future decisions and facilitate change to assure a strong and vibrant Church in the 11-county diocese. Recommendations contained in the report released today include that some parishes cluster with other parishes; a smaller number merge with other parishes and maintain more than one church for worship; and a few merge with other parishes and close their current churches. A copy of the full report is available on the Diocese of Grand Rapids website, www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org, under News and Current Events.

“For the church in the Diocese of Grand Rapids to realize its goals, it must strategically follow a clear direction over many years toward a vision that is widely understood and embraced,” said Rev. Monsignor William H. Duncan, vicar general for the diocese and overall coordinator of the planning process. “This plan will fulfill the church’s mission to face new challenges precipitated by changes such as declining or growing populations, shifting cultural attitudes, a new generation of Catholics in the Church, growth of the Hispanic community and fewer clergy.”

The process began with and proceeded from input provided by key stakeholders including pastors, school principals, parish council members, parish staff members and parish lay leaders.

“Our challenge was how best to aid in developing a plan that would allow all people of the diocese to be represented in the final vision,” said Paul Judd, parish lay leader and member of St. Mary Church in Lowell. “The greatest joy was discovering the commonalities we have as members of the Church as we discussed how best to use our God-given resources and to create a more vibrant, connected diocesan community all working toward bringing Christ to all we encounter.”