Pastoral planning is opportunity for growth and change in parishes
By Mary Stadnyk
News editor
Father Jeffrey E. Lee is well-versed in addressing the sensitive topic of deanery studies and the benefits of the consultative process when it's time for implementation.
As one who has "been there and done that," Father Lee is compassionate and pragmatic as he speaks from his own experience as pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, which in 2005 was created from the merger of St. Joachim and Immaculate Conception Parishes as part of the Trenton Ward Study.
He also shares the knowledge he has obtained serving as a consultant to the diocesan Office of Expansion and Restructuring for the recently completed Northern Burlington County Deanery Study and now as its interim director.
Right off the bat, Father Lee emphasized how a deanery study should not be viewed as "something negative or as some form of punishment," especially by parishes that experience a change in structure as a result of a merger or twinning.
While Father Lee acknowledged that it's understandable how parishioners might feel that the fates of their parishes may be pre-determined by diocesan officials well before the start of the study and that the studies are only conducted merely to "placate people and to set up smoke screens," he strongly encouraged people to realize that the ultimate goal of the studies is to serve as a "response to maintaining and further developing the pastoral care and pastoral mission that has long characterized this diocese."
As challenging as it may be for people to accept, the studies are, indeed, "an intensive opportunity that invites people on the local level to openly, honestly and critically reflect and pray about the mission of the Church here in our day," he said.
"And this is a very different approach from the rest of the dioceses throughout the United States where many of them gather a lot of data and make decisions based on the raw data."
While the data that is compiled through research and ongoing discussions are useful for formulating recommendations for parishes, a more vital tool is in the stories of the faith-filled people that are shared among parish representatives during their study meetings, said Father Lee.
Referring to one prime example from the Northern Burlington Deanery Study, Father Lee said, "No one who is following any kind of logic removed from the passionate, subjective information or storytelling of the people would have allowed two churches residing in the same municipality to have been merged in different directions. It was clearly the preference of the people and the local leaders that convinced us that this was the right thing to do in order that the mission of the Church be maintained and advanced. I think because of our focus on the local level and the stories of the people, we have not experienced a great backlash of resentment since it has not only been data driven, but also respectful of the histories of the communities."
Another benefit of the deanery studies, said Father Lee, is how they enable parish communities to provide access to greater resources and employ a qualified staff to supervise a variety of outreach services to people in the local area who are in need as well as formation programs and other worship and spiritual experiences for parishioners.
"In order for parishes to work collaboratively, we need to have well-formed, well-trained, well-educated people" including, first and foremost, the priests, as well as the deacons, lay women and men, whether they are single or married, and members of consecrated life whenever available.
For parishes to have these well-formed, well-educated people, they must be able to compensate them accordingly, he said. "These people live in what is to be one of the most expensive parts of the United States, and our parishes have to pay more than other places in the country, therefore, we need greater resources from that perspective in order to maintain the quality we so desire."
Deanery studies, added Father Lee, "are helping us to make some current operational changes, but their goal is for the diocese to be able to serve the mission of the Church in a better way and into the future."
"We have to get rid of the punitive perspective and help people to see that deanery studies are a graced occasion and an opportunity for God's grace to be revealed in our midst."
