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Beginning in June 2007, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel established an office of Pastoral Planning and appointed a consulting "Committee on Parishes." The Committee first worked on renewing the Mission Statement, which defines who we are as a Diocese, and then the Vision Statement, which defines the purpose of the planning process. Guidance for these efforts was taken from previous planning that developed specific priorities for Pastoral Viability of Parish Life. Efforts were also made to collect statistics and demographic information regarding the parishes of the diocese and to develop uniform definitions of parish organization and pastoral leadership.
After training of parish strategic planning teams in January of 2008, parishes conducted Appreciative Inquiry surveys to gain insight as to the Core Values of the faithful, to ask for input as to how parish life can be made even better, and to project how the diocesan offices can best serve the pastoral viability of parish life. Reports from these parish surveys were used to develop a draft 5 year diocesan pastoral plan. This draft was then sent to the parishes and to consulting bodies of the diocese in August of 2008 for comment and suggestions.
Utilizing this feedback the Committee on Parishes recommended revising the draft to release it in four phases over the period of December 2008 to June 2010. Beginning in early 2009, 1) Bishop Zipfel published a pastoral letter regarding the spirituality of stewardship; and 2) parishes have been asked to conduct self studies of their pastoral viability. The overall development of the complete plan will be coordinated with the timing of the pastoral leadership program, "Good Shepherds/Good Leaders", which many of the pastors are participating in.
In his Foreword, Bishop Paul A. Zipfel explains that the Pastoral Plan finds its basis in the mission of the diocese.
WHERE WE HAVE BEEN...
The plan honors the faith heritage of the past and looks forward to the future with hope, optimism and love. Through surveys conducted in each parish in early 2008 we know what we cherish, we have identified eight core values. Through that same process we have identified ways in which we can carry those values into the future and we have great confidence in our ability to do so. Our strength is in our people and their deep relationship with God.
For approximately two years, the diocesan offices and many parishes have been engaged in a plan of action announced by Bishop Paul A. Zipfel to have the Diocese of Bismarck be a Stewardship Diocese by the centennial celebration of the diocese in 2010. This has included studying the U.S. Catholic Bishop's Pastoral Letter, Stewardship: A Disciple's Response and other resources regarding the "spirituality of stewardship".
A primary teaching by Bishop Paul A. Zipfel regarding the meaning of Stewardship. This Pastoral Letter Who is the Good and Faithful Steward? was published in March 2009. It points to a primary priority of the diocese, to have an increased understanding of the spirituality of stewardship. Parishes are developing plans for parishioners to study, discuss and adopt this teaching.
The Diocesan Mission Statement describes who we are: people working together, to be effective "Ambassadors for Christ, Who Live Stewardship in Word, Sacrament, and Service". The Vision Statement" for the planning process describes what we are doing: ""Preparing our Catholic Faith Communities for the Future by Keeping them Healthy, Viable and Faithful".
Phase I: (published December 2008)
The Plan for Mission and Priorities:
Statements of Mission, Vision and Core Values. These have been developed over the past year and provide the foundation for the plan.
Parish self assessments of the "pastoral viability" of the parish utilizing the Pastoral Viability of Parish Life document as criteria for evaluation. (done during Lent of 2009.)
Appendix containing useful demographic information, definitions, and other planning tools.
Phase II: (published in August 2009)
The Plan for faith community organization:
· It reflects priorities identified by the parish assessments and recommends establishment of Word, Sacrament and Service Committees on the diocesan and parish levels.
· Revises Guidelines for Parish Pastoral Councils containing practical suggestions for councils so they may provide prudent advice for successful pastoral planning.
· Promotes sharing assets between parishes to enhance pastoral viability.
· The diocesan stewardship office coordinated a diocesan "Stewardship Days" conference on October 16 & 17, 2009 in Bismarck.
Phase III (published in December 2009):
The third phase of the plan, published in December of 2009 reflects priorities identified by the parish assessments with a focus on pastoral leadership.
In preparation for these plans parishes were asked to survey current pastoral leaders to identify more effective means of recruitment, training and formation. Titles of leadership roles have been defined and diocesan leadership development initiatives have been agreed to.
WHERE WE ARE GOING...
Phase IV:
Workshops for pastors, parish pastoral councils, and parish planning teams were conducted in January 2010. Parishes have begun planning efforts during Lent 2010 and are to report their plans to be good stewards of Word, Sacrament and Service to the diocese by October 1, 2010. The fourth phase of the diocesan plan will align these parish plans with plans for the diocese.
Implementation of the plans will begin in September 2010. Publication of the complete diocesan plan will occur in November of 2010. The planning cycle will begin anew with evaluations and refinement in January of 2011.
Director
Office of Pastoral Planning
Deacon Lynn Clancy
Center for Pastoral Ministry
520 North Washington St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: 701-222-3035
Email: lclancy@bismarckdiocese.com
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Additional Reference Information
Resources
Prayer with Mission Statement
File Size: 2110.38 kb
Parish Pastoral Planning Council Orientation Program
File Size: 613 kb
Parish Classifications
File Size: 19.03 kb
Diocesan Map
File Size: 28793.06 kb
The official site of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota
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