Pastoral Plan objectives approved
April 16, 2013
HOUSTON — In February, members of the Integration Task Group, the chair of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council (APC), and the chair of the Implementation Oversight Group (IOG) presented nine objectives to Daniel Cardinal DiNardo for approval. These objectives were developed through a bottom up process that started with hearing from the faithful about their hopes and aspirations through surveys and regional meetings. In addition, the objectives were also reviewed by the Presbyteral Council, the Finance Council and the APC. With Cardinal DiNardo's approval and blessing, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan is now entering its final phase of implementation, the development of parish action plans to achieve one or more of the objectives.
The objectives support the vision of the Archdiocese living a "spirituality of communion" and the pathways that lead to that vision. The objectives offer a framework for parishes to do those things they have said they wanted to do. Each objective relates to one or more pathways and there can be more than one objective to help achieve a pathway.
How the parishes respond to the "spirituality of communion" and the signs of the times requires faith-based creativity of its clergy and lay people. These objectives are designed to initiate a conversation among parish leaders and parishioners about how to evaluate and enrich their current ministries and activities. They are not a directive to create many new programs or a signal that something is missing or wrong in parish plans. "The hope is that the wider Catholic community becomes more informed and excited about the direction of their parish, participates more fully in parish life and supports the mission of the Archdiocese," John Castillo, Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan task group member, said.
| Action Planning Workshops |
| Workshop dates for pastors, staff and parish leadership From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 20 St. Dominic Center 2403 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77021-8775 April 27 St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 110 E. South Street, Alvin, TX 77511 May 4 Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church 26777 Glen Loch Dr., Spring, TX 77381 |
Parishes throughout the Archdiocese have now received notification of the approval of the objectives as well as packets that include a workbook and handouts to assist in the creation of their parish action plans. The APC is offering Action Planning Workshops for pastors and parishioners chosen by the pastor, who will be developing the action plans.
These workshops will take place during late April and early May. Additional support and facilitators are also available to parishes as they develop their plans.
Pastors or parish leaders can register to attend a Parish Action Plan Workshop at 713-652-4446 or pastoralplan@archgh.org.
"With the Grace of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit and with some excellent pastoral matters that are already going on in this Archdiocese, my hope is that we will grow in our intensity of respect and love for one another — we'll grow in holiness for the Lord — and that will almost naturally spill over into a credible witness to the world around us," Cardinal Dinardo said.