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Number of local priests to remain stable as population sees growth

‘Listening sessions’ offer faithful chance to tell Archdiocese about needs, hopes

Proceso de Planificación Pastoral pide a los fieles acerca de sus necesidades, y aspiraciones a través de “sesiones de escucha”

Pastoral Planning Process asks faithful about their needs, aspirations through ‘listening sessions’
Number of local priests to remain stable as population sees growth

By Jenny Faber / Texas Catholic Herald
10/25/2011

HOUSTON — According to some estimates, the Catholic population in the Archdiocese will grow by half a million by 2020.

At the same time, data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, a national nonprofit agency that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church, suggest the number of priests available for active service in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will remain stable for the next 30 years.

That means unlike many other dioceses in the U.S., the Archdiocese is not anticipating a decline in its number of active priests in the near future. But the explosive population growth of the region means the ratio of people in the pews to parish priests will increase by 32 percent within the next decade. How will the Archdiocese and its clergy meet the faith needs of an escalating Catholic population in the coming years?

The Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Process aims to offer information that could guide the answer to that question. The process – a year-long initiative to develop a vision of how the Archdiocese will grow with the next generation – has surfaced demographic data detailing the expanding size and increased diversity of the local Catholic population, which currently numbers 1.2 million.

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo confirmed that it is an Archdiocesan priority to have a pastor at every parish in the 10 counties of the local Church, and that the developing Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan will support this priority.

This past year's trends in Archdiocesan growth seem to confirm the projected population surge. This Easter, the Archdiocese welcomed 2,490 new Catholics into the Church – the second largest RCIA class in the nation – and another 1,300 adult Catholics were confirmed into the Church this spring. This August, the Archdiocese welcomed its largest class of seminarians since Vatican II.

Recognizing additional clergy are needed to meet the faith needs of local parishes, Cardinal DiNardo encourages all faithful to pray for vocations to the Archdiocese, particularly as the universal Church prepares to mark Priesthood Sunday, Oct. 30.

For more ideas on praying for vocations, visit www.houstonvocations.com. To read the prayer for the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Process, visit www.archgh.org/pastoralplan. †

‘Listening sessions’ offer faithful chance to tell Archdiocese about needs, hopes

By TCH Staff
3/15/2011

HOUSTON — The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is beginning a year-long Pastoral Planning Process starting this month. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo is inviting all Catholics to participate in listening sessions to hear what the faithful appreciate, hope for and need from the Catholic Church in the coming years. To help prepare for the upcoming listening sessions, the Texas Catholic Herald has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about the Pastoral Planning Process:

Q: Why is the Archdiocese doing this?
A: The Archdiocese has an opportune moment to consider how to meet the escalating needs and hopes of its people and parishes. To do this, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo wants to hear directly from local Catholics about their faith and needs.

Q: How will this process work?
A: The process will begin with a series of “listening sessions” across the Archdiocese. Several sessions will be held in various parishes throughout the 10 counties of the Archdiocese. Participants can choose any session that matches their schedule and travel needs. Participants only need to attend one session. During the Listening Sessions, participants will address:
• What they appreciate;
• What they need;
• What they hope for from their parish and from the local Church.

A trained facilitator will moderate each Listening Session. All sessions will be conducted in English and Spanish. In addition, the Archdiocese will distribute a survey to solicit feedback from those who cannot attend a Listening Session.

Q: When and where will the Listening Sessions be held?
A: Sessions will be held from March to May at parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

Q. Who participates in the conversation?
A: Their will be 14 general listening sessions for Catholics who are actively involved in their parish. There will also be special listening sessions for priests, deacons, religious, inactive Catholics or those who do not attend Mass regularly, non-Catholics, young people and Eastern Rite Catholics.

Q: What happens after these Listening Sessions?
A: Participants’ responses will be prioritized and a core team of Archdiocesan leaders will discern and propose potential directions to the cardinal.

Q: Who do I contact for more information?
A: E-mail listening-sessions@archgh.org or call 713.652.4446. †

Proceso de Planificación Pastoral pide a los fieles acerca de sus necesidades, y aspiraciones a través de “sesiones de escucha”

By Melanie Spencer
3/15/2011

HOUSTON — En los próximos meses, a los católicos de esta zona se les invitará a participar en sesiones de escucha diseñadas para responder a la pregunta: “¿Cuál es el futuro de la Arquidiócesis de Galveston-Houston?”

El Cardenal Daniel DiNardo ha puesto en marcha estas sesiones para evaluar la fe y las necesidades de los católicos de la zona. Las respuestas de estas sesiones guiarán el desarrollo de un nuevo plan pastoral de la Arquidiócesis.

“La planificación pastoral es un proceso de oración, de escuchar y pensar juntos sobre nuestras acciones como un grupo ahora y para el futuro en esta Arquidiócesis”, dijo James Barrette, Director de Ministerios Pastorales y para la Educación de la Arquidiócesis. “... Se trata de la planificación pastoral, porque somos un pueblo de fe. La planificación en un contexto pastoral es religiosa. Permite al Espíritu Santo obrar a través de y con nosotros. “

Más que nada, el Proceso de Planificación Pastoral será una conversación. El grupo de Supervisión Pastoral, que facilitará las sesiones de escucha, diseñó el proceso para que los fieles lo comprendan: se trata de escucharlos.

“Dado que la mayoría de las sesiones de escucha están diseñadas para centrarse en las necesidades y aspiraciones de nuestra comunidad católica, los fieles pueden hacer aportaciones sobre su propia fe y las necesidades en el contexto de su propia parroquia”, dijo Sandra Sierra, presidente del el Grupo de Supervisión Pastoral. “[Las sesiones] proveen una oportunidad para que los fieles expresen sus puntos de vista acerca de cómo la Iglesia enriquece y apoya a la comunidad.”

Los participantes se unirán en sesiones de escucha guiadas, permitiendo a los dirigentes arquidiocesanos escuchar las esperanzas que los fieles tienen para el futuro de la Iglesia local. Durante las sesiones de escucha, los participantes discutirán sobre lo que necesitan, lo que aprecian y lo que esperan de su parroquia y la Iglesia local.

A todos, desde los que van a la iglesia regularmente hasta los que asisten dos veces al año, o los que están inactivos, se les anima a participar.
“Nuestro mandato del Cardenal DiNardo es ser lo más completos posible dentro de un plazo limitado de tiempo y de costo”, dijo Barrette. “Así que cualquiera en la Arquidiócesis es un participante ideal y todos estarán invitados a participar en una o más formas.”

Las respuestas de los participantes serán analizadas y un equipo central discernirá y propondrá posibles recomendaciones al cardenal.

“A través de este proceso, el cardenal quiere escuchar la voz de los fieles”, dijo Sierra. “Su aportación es necesaria para que la voz completa y verdadera de los fieles se refleje en las recomendaciones que el cardenal recibirá como resultado del proceso. Esta es la razón por la cual la participación es clave. Las sesiones están diseñadas para facilitar a los fieles una plataforma para proporcionar información que ayudará a esbozar las realidades y necesidades de la vida en su parroquia.”

Con la dirección del cardenal, tanto Barrette y Sierra hacen hincapié en que la oración es un elemento intensamente importante en el proceso, a fin de promover el sentido de “una sola fe y un solo cuerpo.”

“A todos los fieles se les pedirá que pidan la acción del Espíritu Santo en este proceso y de esa manera todos estarán involucrados directamente en el proceso a través de la oración”, dijo Barrette.

Las sesiones de escucha se llevarán a cabo en varias parroquias de la Arquidiócesis. Los participantes pueden elegir una sesión que coincida con su horario y necesidades de desplazamiento. Se planearan sesiones extraordinarias para los no católicos y católicos no practicantes para obtener sus percepciones y opiniones de la Iglesia y cómo ven que impactan a la comunidad.

Sierra anima a los participantes a reflexionar sobre sus experiencias como católicos y dijo: “Este es el momento para que uno identifique lo que valora acerca de su fe y su parroquia; cuales son sus necesidades espirituales, las necesidades de la parroquia y lo que esperan para el futuro.” †
________________________________________

Detalles

Sesiones para escuchar el Proceso de Planificación Pastoral se llevará a cabo en varias parroquias en la Arquidiócesis. Los participantes pueden elegir una sesión que coincide con su horario y necesidades de desplazamiento. Períodos extraordinarios de sesiones serán programadas para los no católicos y católicos no practicantes para obtener sus percepciones y opiniones de la Iglesia y cómo ven que impactan a la comunidad.

Marzo 22 7-9 p.m. Centro de Vida Familiar de San Miguel - Lake Jackson
Marzo 24 7-9 p.m. Gimnasio de Sta. Maria de la Purificacion
Marzo 27 3-5 p.m. Centro de Vida Parroquial del Santo Rosario – Rosenberg
Marzo 28 7-9 p.m Centro de Vida Familiar de Sta Maria Magdalena – Humble
Marzo 30 7-9 p.m. Salon Parroquial de San Bartolomé
Marzo 31 7-9 p.m. Salon Parroquial de San Cirilo de Alejandria (Salon 127)
Abril 5 7-9 p.m. Centro de Vida Parroquial de San Andres – Channelview
Abril 6 7-9 p.m. Catheral Centre de la Co-Catedral del Sagrado Corazón
Abril 11 7-9 p.m. Centro de vida Parroquial de Reina de la Paz – La Marque
Abril 13 7-9 p.m. Centro de la Comunidad de Cristo el Redentor
Abril 14 7-9 p.m. Salon Parroquial de Nstra Señora de Lavang
Mayo 3 7-9 p.m. Centro de Vida Parroquial de Sta Bernardita
Mayo 9 7-9 p.m. Auditorio del Sagrado Corazón – Conroe
Mayo 11 7-9 p.m. Centro de Vida Parroquial de San Eduardo

Pastoral Planning Process asks faithful about their needs, aspirations through ‘listening sessions’

By Melanie Spencer
2/22/2011

HOUSTON — In the coming months, local Catholics are being asked to participate in group listening sessions designed to answer the question, "What's next for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston?"

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo has implemented these sessions to gauge the faith and needs of local Catholics. The responses from these sessions will guide the development of a new pastoral plan for the Archdiocese.

"Pastoral planning is a process of praying, listening and thinking together about our actions as one body now and for the future in this Archdiocese," said James Barrette, Director of Pastoral and Educational Ministries for the Archdiocese. "…It is pastoral planning because we are a people of faith. Planning in a pastoral context is prayerful. It allows for the work of the Holy Spirit done through and with us."

More than anything, the Pastoral Planning Process will be a conversation. The Pastoral Oversight Group, which will facilitate the listening sessions, designed the process so that the faithful understand: this is about listening to them.

"Since the majority of the listening sessions are designed to focus on the needs and aspirations of our Catholic community, the faithful can expect to provide input about their own faith and needs in the context of their own parish," said Sandra Sierra, chair of the Pastoral Oversight Group. "[The sessions] provide an opportunity for the faithful to express their … views about how the church enriches and supports community."

Participants will join in guided listening sessions, allowing Archdiocesan leadership to hear the hopes that the faithful have for the future of the local Church. During the listening sessions, the participants will address what they need, what they appreciate and what they hope for from their parish and the local Church.

Everyone, from those who go to Church regularly to those who attend twice a year, to those who are inactive are encouraged to participate.

"Our mandate from Cardinal DiNardo is to be as comprehensive as possible within a limited timeframe and cost," said Barrette. "So anyone in the Archdiocese is an ideal participant and everyone will be asked to participate in one or more ways."

Participants' responses will be analyzed and a core team will discern and propose potential directions to the cardinal.

"Through this process the cardinal wants to hear the voice of the faithful," said Sierra. "Their input is necessary in order that a true, complete voice of the faithful is reflected in the recommendations that the Cardinal will receive as a result of the process. This is why participation is key. The sessions are meant to provide the faithful with a platform to provide information that will help outline the realities and needs of their life in their parish."

At the direction of the cardinal, both Barrette and Sierra emphasize that prayer is an intensely important element in the process, in order to promote the sense of "one faith and one body."

"All the faithful will be asked to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in this process and in that way everyone will be involved directly in the process through prayer," said Barrette.

Listening sessions will be held in various parishes across the Archdiocese. Participants can choose a session that matches their schedule and travel needs. Special sessions will be planned for non-Catholics and non-practicing Catholics to gain their perceptions and views of the Church and how they see it impacting the community.

Sierra encourages participants to reflect upon their experiences as Catholics and said, "This is a time for one to identify what they value about their faith and their parish; what are their spiritual needs, the needs of their parish and what they hope for the future." †

Details

Listening sessions for the Pastoral Planning Process will be held in various parishes across the Archdiocese. Participants can choose a session that matches their schedule and travel needs. Special sessions will be planned for non-Catholics and non-practicing Catholics to gain their perceptions and views of the Church and how they see it impacting the community.
• March 22 7-9 p.m. St. Michael - Lake Jackson Family Life Center
• March 24 7-9 p.m. St. Mary of the Purification St. Mary Center Gym
• March 27 3-5 p.m. Holy Rosary – Rosenberg Parish Life Center
• March 28 7-9 p.m St. Mary Magdalene – Humble Family Life Center
• March 30 7-9 p.m. St. Bartholomew Parish Hall
• March 31 7-9 p.m. St. Cyril of Alexandria Parish Hall (Rm 127)
• April 5 7-9 p.m. St. Andrew – Channelview Parish Life Center
• April 6 7-9 p.m. Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Centre
• April 11 7-9 p.m. Queen of Peace – La Marque Parish Life Center
• April 13 7-9 p.m. Christ the Redeemer Community Center
• April 14 7-9 p.m. Our Lady of Lavang Parish Hall
• May 3 7-9 p.m. St. Bernadette Parish Life Center
• May 9 7-9 p.m. Sacred Heart – Conroe Auditorium
• May 11 7-9 p.m. St. Edward Parish Life Center