Diocesan Timeline
Pre-Planning in Parishes - September to December 2006
Purpose: To engage Parish Planning Teams to gather and study diocesan and parish data.
Diocesan Demographic Report is published and distributed to pastors; Pastors received initial planning guide, Gathering Gods Gifts;
Pastors organize Parish Planning Teams.
Parish Planning Teams study data Diocesan Demographic Report, their Parish Data Report with Financial Summary, and Link2Lead access (web-based demographics) and provide data to the diocesan Pastoral Planning Office for future distribution.
Bishop gives six evening presentations on Pastoral Priorities and Planning.
Parishes choose planning partners for Phase II and communicate these groupings to Deans.
Parish delegates participate in the Diocesan Assembly on Dec. 9. They endorse 14 Pastoral Goals and strategies and present them to the Bishop for his approval. He approves them.
The Diocesan Vision and the Pastoral Goals and strategies are incorporated into planning for vibrant, dynamic parishes.
Developing Planning Recommendations - January 6 - May 15 2007
Purpose: To formulate planning recommendations for revitalization and reconfiguration from Parish Planning Groups working collaboratively within each deanery.
Six members from each Parish Planning team attend an In-service Day on Jan. 6, 2007; deanery data and planning processes are distributed; a DVD of the day is given to each parish for viewing by all the parish planning team members.
Parish Planning Teams study data from other parishes in their region/groups within the deanery.
Parish Planning Teams work with planning partners to formulate planning recommendations (either region or alternative groupings).
The Dean takes up a significant leadership role in guiding the planning process within the deanery. He engages a facilitator to assist in the process.
Regional Meetings Parish planning team representatives gather to present their shared reality and their assessment of strengths and limitations. Indicators for Vibrant, Dynamic Parishes and the 14 pastoral goals provide the general focus for pastoral planning recommendations for the future. The representatives give a written assessment of the parishes in their region/planning group regarding the following:
Financial viability based on parishes Financial Trend Analysis
Facilities based on Parish Facilities Reporting
Parish Data Reporting including Mass count information
General population trends based on Link2Lead
Models for Reconfiguration and Pastoral Leadership and numbers of priests available
The written report which combines the findings, both commonly held and divergent, is developed for each of the 5 areas. Planning recommendations are then developed for the region/planning group.
Deanery Meetings Representatives assess the potential and vitality of the region/planning group recommendations. They consolidate the region recommendations and develop a draft of planning recommendations for the entire deanery by May 15, 2007 using the Recommendations Form provided for this purpose. They may submit more than one option, but priority preference should be indicated. These are submitted to the Office of Pastoral Planning for Diocesan Planning Commission review in summer.January 6 to May 15, 2007
Purpose: To formulate planning recommendations for revitalization and reconfiguration from Parish Planning Groups working collaboratively within each deanery.
Six members from each Parish Planning team attend an In-service Day on Jan. 6, 2007; deanery data and planning processes are distributed; a DVD of the day is given to each parish for viewing by all the parish planning team members.
Parish Planning Teams study data from other parishes in their region/groups within the deanery.
Parish Planning Teams work with planning partners to formulate planning recommendations (either region or alternative groupings).
The Dean takes up a significant leadership role in guiding the planning process within the deanery. He engages a facilitator to assist in the process.
Regional Meetings Parish planning team representatives gather to present their shared reality and their assessment of strengths and limitations. Indicators for Vibrant, Dynamic Parishes and the 14 pastoral goals provide the general focus for pastoral planning recommendations for the future. The representatives give a written assessment of the parishes in their region/planning group regarding the following:
Financial viability based on parishes Financial Trend Analysis
Facilities based on Parish Facilities Reporting
Parish Data Reporting including Mass count information
General population trends based on Link2Lead
Models for Reconfiguration and Pastoral Leadership and numbers of priests available
The written report which combines the findings, both commonly held and divergent, is developed for each of the 5 areas. Planning recommendations are then developed for the region/planning group.
Deanery Meetings Representatives assess the potential and vitality of the region/planning group recommendations. They consolidate the region recommendations and develop a draft of planning recommendations for the entire deanery by May 15, 2007 using the Recommendations Form provided for this purpose. They may submit more than one option, but priority preference should be indicated. These are submitted to the Office of Pastoral Planning for Diocesan Planning Commission review in summer.
Reviewing Recommendations and Feedback - May - November 2007
Purpose: To conduct a review of deanery recommendations and exchange feedback.
The Diocesan Planning Commission reviews and assesses the viability of the planning recommendations from each deanery. The Commission also formulates their observations, assessments and questions to bring back to the deaneries. (Summer, 2007).
The assessment of the viability of each deanery's recommendations is presented to the deanery representatives by members of the Diocesan Planning Commission, along with their observations, questions and any further recommendations. (Sept. 13-Oct. 13).
Deanery Representatives are asked to take their plan back to the Parish Planning Teams to explain, clarify the feedback, and ensure that their recommendations address the common good of the Church in their deanery. The timeline is extended so that all parishes within the deanery can reassess their earlier reconfigurations and ensure that they are developing recommendations that provide the opportunity for dynamic parishes using the canonical models available.
Refining the Deanery Plans - Mid November - January 2008
Purpose: To formulate a final draft of the Deanery Plans for the revitalization and reconfiguration of parishes.
Deaneries send in their revised recommendation on either January 15 or January 28, 2008. Each member of the Diocesan Planning Commission studies the additional input from the deanery representatives using the same criteria they had used in the summer assessment:
Distance to Sunday mass is reasonable
The workload of the pastor is acceptable
The parish is planning to add professional staff to assist with ministries
There is adequate worship space with pews at least ¾ filled during most liturgies
The advantages of the reconfiguration outweigh the disadvantages.
The Diocesan Planning Commission meets February 25 -27. Working under the direction of a facilitator, first in small groups and then as a body, they develop a final set of recommendations regarding each deanery to give to the Bishop with the intent of promoting the common good of the diocese. With this action their work is completed.
On April 3, Bishop Galante meets with priests and staff of the diocese to share the outcomes of the parish reconfiguration process and to reiterate the reasons why the diocese has planned: to revitalize the Church in South Jersey. Bishop Galante makes the announcement to parishioners through a web video and the April 4 edition of the Catholic Star Herald.
Bishop Galante then consults advisors on the work of the Diocesan Planning Commission and holds a formal canonical consultation with the Presbyteral Council on March 12 -13 to ensure that the presbyterate has had been fully consulted. He brings them back for an additional consultation on March 27. The reconfiguration plan is ready for publication.
Bishop Announces his Decisions - Diocesan Implementation
Purpose: To take appropriate steps to prepare for and carry out the process of implementation.
Preparation for implementation of mergers is gradual. It begins with pastors and parishioners. Over 100 professional facilitators are trained to assist parishes in a multi-phased process called Coping with Change Together. The announcement of the decisions about reconfigurations initiates the regular process for obtaining pastors. Opportunities for priests to deal with change are also provided.
Parishes that are merging will be assisted by the diocese through transition guidelines. Transition typically will be accomplished within 12 months. In exceptional reasons and with Episcopal approval a parish may take longer, but usually not more than 18 - 24 months.