Northern Burlington Deanery Update
September, 2006
Parish study preparation moves forward as local delegates become involved
September has been a month of preparation for many local parish representatives who are involved in the diocesan-led study of the Northern Burlington Deanery. Meeting first as individual parish leadership teams and later in the month in three different clusters, delegates from the 13 parishes of the deanery have been given an overview of the study and its objectives and asked to develop goals unique to their parishes.
The parish study initiative seeks to identify and address the realities that impact upon faith communities and to develop and implement plans that will ensure the vibrancy of parish life well into the future for the Catholic population living in the northern region of Burlington County. The study is comprised of four stages:
- Discover - Information will be gathered and explored
- Dream - Assessment and identification of alternate ways to accomplish ministry goals for the future
- Design - Creation of action plans to meet the identified goals
- Destiny - Appropriate recommendations are made to the Bishop
Integral to the "Discover" phase of the study are the leadership teams, whose members were appointed by each local pastor drawing primarily from staff, clergy, parish councils and other leadership. The teams range in size between 10 and 20 members and are designed to represent a true cross-section of each parish's membership.
The teams first addressed their attention and discussion to responses compiled from the more than 5,200 surveys completed by parishioners throughout the deanery in June. The three-page surveys asked respondents to look at six major areas of parish life, providing a rating of how important each element was to them, and then how their parish addresses or performs in each area. Among elements included in the survey were worship and spirituality; religious education and outreach to youth; social justice; hospitality; ecumenism; leadership, and parish facilities. The majority of responses came in from married women, age 55 and older, who were weekly churchgoers and describe themselves as "very attached" to their parish and "somewhat active" in parish life.
The survey feedback served as an impetus for further assessment and reflection by leadership team members. Using the survey information, along with their own experiences and perception of their parish life, the team members have begun the process of writing ministry goals.
On Sept. 26, 27 and 28, the parish leadership teams came together in their clusters - north, central and south -- where they were presented with statistics that impact on their parish communities, both now and in the future. The statistical report featured information on demographic and immigration trends; a projection of Catholic population, as well as the number of clergy and religious available to serve that population over the next decades. Team members were advised of the foundation that should guide the study as it moves forward - The 11 Elements of a Vibrant Parish (published in the July/August UPDATE), as well as the need for holiness, spirituality of communion and compassionate action on behalf of the needy. The process calls for the study of parish ministry, programs, buildings, organization and administration structures to evaluate what is appropriate given the present and future needs of the area.
Team members will serve the study by taking the information they have been given back to their parish communities, and to provide those who will be part of the formal study with input from parishioners. The formal study, which will continue the "Discover" phase and incorporate the "Dream", "Design" and "Destiny" phases, will begin Oct. 19 and will be conducted in monthly meetings through July. Representing each parish in the study will be the pastor and two representatives of the parish. In its first meeting, the study group will be addressed by Bishop John M. Smith, who will discuss the theological basis for the work they are about to begin.
The process has been met with a spirit of cooperation and optimism on the part of many team members. Kathleen M. Robertson of St. Peter Parish, Riverside, stated, "I feel honored to be asked to serve on this important committee for the St. Peter's delegation. This has been my parish since I was born, more than 57 years ago. This study I hope will benefit all the parishes involved by making the congregations aware of the problems and hopes we will need to 'act on' to promote the Catholic faith."
Robertson pointed to ethnic and cultural divisions that currently affect her parish and the challenge that faces parish leaders. She added, "I think the survey is a beginning point to see our similarities and differences when trying to unite the parish families of both ethnic communities. Hopefully, good will come out of this process and St. Peter's Parish will be around for many years to come."
Manuel Parada of St. Andrew Parish, Jobstown, expressed gratitude that he is being given an opportunity to use his professional expertise to serve the Church. He shared, "As a civil engineer, I never imagined that my professional skills would be called into play for Church activities, but the study certainly will draw upon my organizational and analytical skills."
In addition to helping his own parish, Parada is honored that the work he and his fellow team members will perform will help the wider Church family. He said, "I hope that we can start to see ourselves as interconnected faith communities. Our parish should not be an island to itself, but rather it should a beacon of light to the entire area. I believe the parishes in the area will understand the realities of the changing Church. We have a rare opportunity to be proactive in addressing these changes."
Mary Neary, pastoral associate of Sacred Heart Parish, Riverton, felt good about the survey process. "I think there was a real value to it. The surveys brought to light the positive things, and pointed out areas where attention was needed. We were truly affirmed when some of the surveys mentioned the feeling of friendliness and warmth they experience in our church."
Neary feels empowered by her involvement in the process. She shared, "It was very exciting and it really got us thinking. This really is our Church. Don't we want it to be alive? Don't we want to be able to pass that kind of Church down to our children?"
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Update is issued monthly to all parishes involved in the Northern Burlington study. To learn more about the upcoming parish study, be sure to read the Oct. 12 issue of The Monitor
Office of Expansion and Restructuring
Diocesan Pastoral Center
PO Box 5147
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Trenton, NJ 08638-0147
Director: Rev. Joseph A. Tedesco
609 406-7400 ext. 5635
Fax: 609-406-7444
E-mail: jtedes@dioceseoftrenton.org
Associate Director: Michael Fabian
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E-mail: mfabia@dioceseoftrenton.org
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