communication plan and toolkit for parishes …...2012/05/09 · 1 communication plan and toolkit...

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Communication Plan and Toolkit For Parishes Moving Ahead as Pastoral Regions

Planning for and implementing a pastoral region is a major change in the life of a parish. Strategic, intentional, timely and transparent communication can help leaders make this transition successfully. This toolkit provides a plan and tools for parish and pastoral region leaders to integrate communication into the pastoral region process.

Guidelines and Tools for Your Parish Region to Adapt and Customize

Please note that these materials are provided as helpful guidelines only. Every parish and pastoral region will have its own specific development process and communication needs. Please draw on these materials to support your efforts.

Table of Contents How to Communicate Effectively ……………………………………………..………………………….2

Phase I: Laying a Foundation…………………………………………………………………………………3

Phase II: Beginning the Process of Joining Cultures……………………………………………….4

Phase III: Building the Pastoral Region Plan…………………………………………………………..5

Phase IV: Implementing the Pastoral Region…………………………………………………………6

Appendix: Tools to Customize and Use for Your Pastoral Region Communications

Message Map to Customize for Your Pastoral Region………………………………..7

I.a. Bulletin insert/Letter announcing your pastoral region……………………..8

I.b. Bulletin announcements explaining pastoral regions………………………..9

II.a. Bulletin insert/Letter describing planning process…………………………….15

II.b. Invitation to “speak out” meetings……………………………………………………16

II.c. Explanation about how your pastoral region was created…………………17

II.d. Q&A to answer most common questions………………………………………….18

II.e. Scriptural texts to illustrate homily themes for pastoral regions……….19

III.d. Sample letter from Archbishop Schnurr announcing pastoral region

implementation………………………………………………………………………………..22

III.e. Bulletin insert/Letter describing next steps in implementation…………23

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How to Communicate Effectively

Always talk about pastoral regions as our response to living the mission of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

o Our mission is most important o The business of our parish flows from our mission

Address both facts and emotions in messages and responses. o Both are essential in helping people understand and respond to what’s

happening

Coordinate messages and timing with all parishes in the pastoral region o Help to ensure equity by sharing all information fairly and in a timely way with all

Use as many channels as possible to reach as many people as possible o Meetings, bulletin announcements, bulletin inserts, website, pulpit

announcements, letters, handouts at meetings, phone calls (with phone scripts, as needed), emails, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

o Remember that a person must see/hear a message an average of 7 times, 7 ways before they pay attention, understand and act.

Be accountable by following up to parishioners in a timely way with results and reports from meetings and surveys.

o Archive all communications on the parish website for future reference by all parishioners.

Refer to the Pastoral Region Message Map for help about what to say about your pastoral region to parishioners. You can customize it to your parish’s situation.

o The message map helps everyone give unified messages about what’s happening, minimizing confusion and misunderstanding.

o The message map is designed to help parish leaders know what to say about pastoral regions. It would not be useful to parishioners at large.

Find more resources at the Pastoral Regions section of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website: www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/pastoral-regions

o Video with Archbishop Schnurr discussing the importance of hope and faithfulness in changing times

o Description of “Vibrant Church” – our goal for all Archdiocesan parishes and pastoral regions

o Questions and answers about pastoral regions o History of planning efforts in the Archdiocese o Planning tools o And more

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Phase I: Laying a Foundation

If or when this happens in your pastoral region:

Deanery provides documents to guide and assist with pastoral region planning.

Pastors, deacons, pastoral staffs and parish councils begin planning for pastoral

region implementation.

Projected implementation dates are established.

Parishes share or develop mission/vision statement(s), begin effort to appreciate

different parish cultures and customs, and place priority on prayer and discernment.

You will want to:

Be as transparent as possible about what lies ahead.

Introduce the pastoral region and Vibrant Church concept.

Begin parishioner education.

Set the stage for changes to come.

Provide contacts for questions/more info

These communications might help:

I.a. Bulletin insert or letter from pastor to parishioners’ homes announcing that

pastoral region planning is beginning

I.b. A series of brief bulletin announcements that explain pastoral regions and how

they’ll affect your parish, built on the key sections from the Pastoral Regions

Message Map

I.c. Periodic progress reports from the pastor and/or pastoral council

Note: Items for Phase I in blue have templates/guidelines in this toolkit.

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Phase II: Beginning the Process of Joining Cultures If or when this happens in your pastoral region:

Pastor(s) develop(s) support for the pastoral region effort among the pastoral

council(s) and other key groups

A representative pastoral region leadership group is formed, at the service of the

parish pastoral councils.

Parish “speak out” meetings enable parishioners to learn more about pastoral region

formation and voice their hopes, questions and concerns.

All parishioners receive additional information about pastoral region formation and

decisions being considered and made.

You will want to:

Be as transparent as possible, especially about what phase the parish/pastoral

region is in.

Explain the planning process.

Continue parishioner education about pastoral regions.

Offer opportunities for engagement and feedback.

Provide contacts for questions/more information.


II.a. Letter or announcement from the pastor(s) describing the upcoming steps in

pastoral region formation

II.b. Invitation to the “speak out” meetings, with an agenda and meeting goals

II.c. Explanation about how your pastoral region was created

II.d. Q&A to answer most common questions

II.e. Homily guide and talking points for pastors to help them address the issue of

change

II.f. Dissemination of data driving the planning effort: For example, statistics on

priest availability; facts and figures about each parish; assessments of facilities

and ministries, etc.

II.g. Report summarizing parish feedback and how it will be considered in the

planning process

II.h. Create parish website sections dedicated to pastoral region formation, including

archiving for all communications and documents

Note: Items for Phase II in dark red have templates/guidelines in this toolkit.

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Phase III:

Building the Pastoral Region Plan If or when this happens in your pastoral region:

The pastoral region plan is developed, drawing on Archdiocesan planning guidelines

and feedback from the parishes.

The pastoral region plan is recommended by the pastoral councils and presented to

the Dean and then the Archbishop for final approval.

The Archbishop reviews and approves the pastoral region plan.

The Archbishop sends a letter to all parishioners’ homes, announcing

implementation of the pastoral region.

You will want to:

Be as transparent as possible, especially about the next steps in the process.

Provide details on the plan.

Offer opportunities for engagement and feedback.

Provide contacts for questions/more information.

Inform parishioners that the Archbishop has accepted the pastoral region plan, so

the pastoral region is moving forward.


III.a. Meetings to present the pastoral region plan

III.b. Handouts summarizing the plan, with Q&A focusing on anticipated key concerns

III.c. Updates/responses to address questions/concerns

III.d. Sample letter from Archbishop Schnurr to parishioners’ homes announcing

implementation of the pastoral region plan

III.e. Letter from pastor(s) explaining what happens next

Note: Items for Phase III in green have templates/guidelines in this toolkit.

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Phase IV:

Implementing the Pastoral Region Plan

If or when this happens in your pastoral region:

Implementation of pastoral region plan, with possible changes in:

o Pastors

o Mass locations/times

o Buildings in use

o Staff members

o Parish and/or pastor office hours and locations

o Allocation of finances

o Fellowship events

Ongoing adjustments and changes in parish administration and parish life as the

parishes continue to collaborate while maintaining their parish cultures and working

together.

You will want to:

Be as transparent as possible

Continue to provide information on the big picture: How our pastoral region is now

living the mission of Jesus Christ in the Archdiocese. Communicate successes.

Continue to provide details about changes in parish life.


IV.a. Make it easy for all parishioners to find new key information.

a. Update all materials that list Mass times and locations, sacrament schedules,

pastor, staff members, office hours and locations, and other key details.

b. Republish and redistribute as necessary.

c. May include bulletins, web sites, signage, directories, Yellow Pages and other

ads

IV.b. Pay attention to ongoing questions from parishioners and address them parish-

wide.

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Message Map to Customize for Your Pastoral Region

Living the mission of Jesus Christ, we are fostering a Vibrant Church

in our pastoral region by embracing our future.

Our Goal: Vibrant Church We All Have

a Role to Play

Hope and Faithfulness

in the Face of Change

We’ll Journey Together

Others Have Succeeded

Responding as the

Archdiocese Evolves

In our pastoral region, we are living the mission of

Jesus Christ by building a vibrant church that’s

ministerially complete, especially in:

Worship and spirituality

Catechesis and education

Pastoral ministry

Evangelization and outreach

Mission-centered leadership and administration

Mission-centered fiscal solvency

Effective pastors lead with understanding and presence.

As appropriate for your parishes: Deacons and lay ecclesial ministers can support the pastor and extend the reach of ministries.

As appropriate for your parishes: Pastoral administrators can support management of pastoral regions.

Parish Councils review and recommend the Pastoral Region plan before it’s sent to the Archbishop for final approval.

Parish members are called to share their gifts and talents for the good of all.

Change can be challenging.

Openness to change is vital to hearing the Good News and living as disciples of Jesus.

The Emmaus story guides us today.

Despite disappointment, loss or fear, we stay at the table and see our Lord in the breaking of the bread.

We continue our journey with the Lord, filled with faith in our future.

Watch Archbishop Schnurr’s video about change at catholiccincinnati.org under “Pastoral Regions.”

Changing dynamics affect all parishes, regardless of size, history, location, vitality, financial resources.

Population is shifting from traditional urban cores to suburbs, and away from rural areas

Numbers of new priests are not keeping pace with numbers of retiring priests

Current efforts build on long-time Archdiocesan planning initiatives: For the Harvest, Ministry 2000, and the Futures Project

Pastors participated in planning for pastoral regions, most recently as part of the Futures Project.

100+ parishes already share a pastor.

They’re served by 40+ priests.

Key lesson learned over 15 years: It’s hard work, but we must respond to God’s call to the Church today.

Pastoral regions create new relationships and new opportunities to serve and evangelize –

among one another and in our communities. As appropriate for your parishes: We’re developing a Collaborative Pastoral Region. Eventually we’ll have one pastor. Each parish keeps its own Pastoral Council, Finance Council and Pastoral Staff. One or more churches may be used for worship.

As appropriate for your parishes: Our parish’s relationship to our school will continue.

Our Pastoral Region Team is working hard to develop a plan for how our parishes will work together.

You’ll have opportunities to make your voice heard (explain how in your region)

We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.

Key message in the center is your “home base.” Always return there to give meaning and context to all messages.

Use language appropriate to the audience: everyday language vs. “church-speak.”

Deliver all messages with compassion. - Acknowledge change is hard. - Focus on positives, not negatives. - Focus on the higher, better purpose.

Bulletin announcements on each of these six

key points are ready for you to customize on

the following pages.

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Appendix

Phase I: Laying a Foundation I.a. Bulletin insert/Letter announcing the pastoral region

Dear Parishioner:

Begin with affirmation about our parish and its vitality.

Explain why you’re writing this letter, for example:

As God’s faithful stewards, we fulfill our many roles and responsibilities today

while also planning for our future. I’m writing today to let you know that we are

beginning to actively plan for a time when our parish will be sharing one pastor

with __________ parish(es) in a collaborative pastoral region.

State emphatically that the parishes are NOT closing OR merging.

o Explain that eventually, our collaborative pastoral region will share one pastor. If

timing is known, state it. If it’s not yet known, explain why not — and when you’ll

know more.

o Explain that each parish will keep its own Pastoral Council, Finance Council and

Pastoral Staff. One or more churches may be used for worship.

Frame this change as our response to God’s call to the Church today, for example:

o Change can be hard but also offers us new opportunities.

o God is calling us to discern how we might imagine Church in our region in a new

and different way as populations shift and there are fewer priests to serve.

o As followers of Jesus, we are often called to step out into the unknown in a spirit

of faith and courage.

o Despite disappointment, loss or fear, we stay at the table and see our Lord in the

breaking of the bread, just as the disciples did on the road to Emmaus.

Explain the next steps in the process:

o Goals, who’s involved, timeline, opportunities for feedback, who to contact for

more information.

o Invite parishioners to hear what Archbishop Schnurr has to say about hope and

faithfulness during changing times in a video on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

website, pastoral regions section: www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-

offices/pastoral-regions

Explain how parishioners will be kept up-to-date on new developments.

Close in the context of prayer, faithfulness and “staying at the table.”

http://www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/pastoral-regions


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Appendix

Phase I: Laying a Foundation I.b. Bulletin Announcements

These bulletin announcements correspond to each of the boxes in the message map, with

the opportunity to customize them for your pastoral region.

Bulletin Announcement #1

Headline: Hope and Faithfulness in the Face of Change: Planning for Our Pastoral Region

As you know, our parish has begun planning for a time when we will share one

pastor with ___________ parish(es) in a collaborative pastoral region. We’re

being called to live the mission of Jesus Christ by fostering a vibrant church in a

new way here in our communities. Change can be challenging. But openness to

change is vital to hearing the Good News and living as disciples of Jesus.

The Emmaus story from the Gospel of Luke guides us today. Two of Jesus’

disciples meet a stranger on the way to Emmaus, expressing their hopelessness

and disappointment over the death of the one they had hoped would redeem

Israel. On the way, the stranger breaks open the scriptures with them. When

they reach the village, they invite the stranger to stay with them. At table, he

takes bread, says the blessing, breaks it and gives it to them. With this, their eyes

are opened and they recognize Jesus. Later, as they return, they share that their

hearts were burning within them as he spoke with them on the way.

Our parish will remain open, even when the time comes for us to share a pastor.

In the face of change — despite any disappointment, loss or fear — we stay at

the table and see our Lord in the breaking of the bread. We continue our journey

with the Lord, filled with faith in our future. Hear what Archbishop Dennis

Schnurr has to say about hope and faithfulness in changing times in a video on

the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website in the pastoral regions section:

www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/pastoral-regions. If you have any

questions about the pastoral region planning process in our parish, please

contact ___________________.


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Appendix



Headline: Responding as the Archdiocese Evolves: Planning for Our Pastoral Region

As our parish plans for a time when we will share one pastor with

_____________ parish(es) in a collaborative pastoral region, it’s helpful to

understand the challenges facing the entire Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Changing

dynamics are affecting all parishes, regardless of their size, history, location,

vitality or financial resources. Population is shifting from traditional urban cores

to the suburbs, and away from rural areas. The number of new priests coming

into the Archdiocese is not keeping pace with the number of retiring priests,

even though more men are studying in the seminary for our Archdiocese now

than in the last 10 years.

Today’s pastoral regions are the result of years of planning and consultation

among archdiocesan leaders and parishes. The Archdiocese has been planning

how to live the mission of Jesus Christ and foster a vibrant church in a changing

world since the 1980s. You may remember – and have participated in — these

planning efforts: For the Harvest, Ministry 2000, and The Futures Project 2005.

Insert here any activities/decisions made for our parish as part of The Futures

Project. If you have any questions about the pastoral region planning process in

our parish, please contact ___________________.

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Appendix



Headline: Vibrant Church is Our Goal: Planning for Our Pastoral Region

As we work closely with ______________ parish(es) to plan for a time when our

pastoral region will share one pastor, our goal is to live the mission of Jesus

Christ by building a vibrant church that’s ministerially complete. What does that

mean?

Within our region, we will do our best to ensure that we have in place the

people, resources and structure to serve the needs of all of our parishioners in

these areas:

Worship and spirituality, with Mass and sacraments that are well

prepared, celebrated prayerfully and inspire toward mission

Catechesis and education for adults, youth and children, with ongoing

efforts to foster vocations

Pastoral ministry, including youth, young adult, adult and family ministry,

as well as ongoing care for the sick, homebound, needy and those with

life concerns

Evangelization and outreach to reach unchurched, inactive Catholics and

revitalize the commitment of practicing Catholics

Mission-centered leadership and administration, with many

opportunities for parishioners to get involved

Mission-centered fiscal solvency, with financial obligations met and

accountability in financial and organizational management

You can learn more about the characteristics of a vibrant church on our website

or at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website in the pastoral regions section:

www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/pastoral-regions. If you have any

questions about the pastoral region planning process in our parish, please

contact ___________________.


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Appendix



Headline: We’ll Journey Together: Planning for Our Pastoral Region

Our parish leadership is planning now for the time when we’ll share a pastor

with _____________ parish(es) as we collaborate to live the mission of Jesus

Christ here in our communities. Each parish will remain open. Each will maintain

its own pastoral council, finance council and pastoral staff. (Some pastors though

choose to join these groups to best serve the pastoral region.) One or both/all of

our churches may be used for worship. If applicable: Our parish’s relationship to

our school will continue.

As you can imagine, creating this new future requires much prayer, input and

thoughtful planning from all of us. For now, our pastoral staff and parish council

are doing _____________________. Soon we will create a Pastoral Region

Coordinating Committee composed of members of our parish, members of

____________ parish, both pastors (as applicable) and _________________.

The committee’s charge is to develop a plan for how our parishes will work

together. You’ll have opportunities to voice your opinions as the plan is

developed. And we’ll present the plan to the parish for review before it goes to

Archbishop Dennis Schnurr for review. We’ll keep you informed every step of the

way. If you have any questions about the pastoral region planning process in our

parish, please contact ___________________.

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Appendix



Headline: We All Have a Role to Play: Planning for Our Pastoral Region

Planning continues for the time when our parish will share a pastor with

_____________ parish. Each member of our parish and staff has a vital role to

play in the way our pastoral region lives the mission of Jesus Christ in our

communities.

The pastor leads with understanding and presence. As applicable: Deacons and

lay ecclesial ministers, such as __________ in our parish, support the pastor and

extend the reach of ministries. Members of the pastoral region coordinating

committee from both/all parishes represent parishioners as they work together,

with the pastor(s), to develop a plan for how our parishes will function as a

region. Both/all pastoral councils review and recommend the pastoral region

plan before it’s sent to Archbishop Dennis Schnurr for his approval.

Always, parish members are called to share their gifts and talents for the good of

all. What can you do to help as we plan for our future?

Faithfully come to Mass on Saturday/Sunday

Consistently give to the parish financially so we can continue to pay our

bills and hire competent staff to enrich our parish life

Volunteer time and talent for our parish. Serve on a committee, help

teach our young people, volunteer for ____________.

Pray for more vocations.

Pray for our current priests, especially those in our pastoral region.

Pray for one another and build up the Kingdom by focusing on the

positive.

Do more rather than less. Don’t be a minimalist.

Be committed to our parish.

Thank you for all you’re already doing. If you have any questions about the

pastoral region planning process in our parish, please contact

___________________.

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Appendix



Headline: Others Have Succeeded – So Will We: Planning for Our Pastoral Region

As we plan for a future when our parish shares a pastor with ____________

parish(es), it’s good to know that many have traveled this road before us. In the

Archdiocese of Cincinnati, more than 100 of the 214 parishes already are sharing

a pastor. They’re served by more than 40 priests, including 10 from religious

communities or another diocese. In most cases, parishes in a pastoral region

begin to share a pastor when the term of at least one of the pastors is ending,

when he’s nearing retirement or when he leaves a parish for other reasons.

Parishes who have done the work of creating a pastoral region report that it’s

hard work, but it’s vital as we respond to God’s call to the Church today. Pastoral

regions create new relationships and new opportunities to serve and evangelize

— among one another and in our communities. We will keep you updated as our

pastoral region planning efforts move forward. Please continue to pray for our

efforts to live the mission of Jesus Christ as a vibrant church in our communities.

If you have any questions about the pastoral region planning process in our

parish, please contact ___________________.

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Appendix Phase II: Beginning the Process of Joining Cultures

II.a. Bulletin insert/Letter describing planning process

When the pastoral region coordinating committee is formed, alert the parish to this

development and what to expect in a comprehensive letter or announcement with this

information:

Frame the information as an update on our efforts to live the mission of Jesus

Christ in our communities

Announcement that the pastoral region coordinating committee has been

formed

Mandate of the coordinating committee

PRCC members, their roles and those of other key groups in the parish

Consultant’s name and expertise, if there’s one involved

Decisions made to date

Share the pastoral region planning prayer developed by the team for your

parishes and encourage parishioners to pray it regularly.

Next steps

Next planned meeting

Contact information for parishioners with questions/concerns

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II.b. Invitation to the “speak out” meetings

Use multiple channels to notify all parishioners about their opportunity to make their

voices heard. Be sure to include:

Dates, times and locations

Clearly stated purpose, such as: We’re continuing on our journey to live the

mission of Jesus Christ in our communities. Your input is vital as we plan to share

a pastor and create a pastoral region with __________ parish(es). Please join us.

Agenda that sets expectations for:

o Topics to be covered

o Time allotted for feedback

o Methods for parishioners to provide feedback at the meeting – such as

open microphone, comment cards, etc.

o Methods for parishioners to provide feedback if they can’t attend a

meeting

Plans for reporting back to the parish on key learnings and next steps

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II.c. Explanation about how your pastoral region was created

You can adapt this copy to fit the situation of your parish to answer the question, How

was our pastoral region created?

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has been planning for a number of years how to live the mission of Jesus Christ in the future using available resources (personnel, programs and finances) as effectively as possible, with changing demographics and fewer priests. Part of this future planning was the “clustering” of our more than 200 parishes into approximately 100 pastoral regions. For administrative purposes, parishes of the Archdiocese are grouped together geographically into deaneries. Each is led by a dean, a priest appointed by the Archbishop. Deans worked with the parishes of their deaneries to determine the pastoral regions, using the most appropriate process for their area. The formation of these pastoral regions was approved by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk in October 2005 as part of the Futures Project.

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II.d. Q&A to answer most common questions

Anticipating parishioners’ questions — and providing answers — can be a big help in

managing effective communications. You can find more than 20 common Q&As on the

Pastoral Region section of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website:

www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/pastoral-regions. Available for download,

they cover:

Information on pastoral regions: History, types, goals, implementation

Pastoral Region Coordinating Committee and its role

Pastors, priests and other parish leaders and their roles in a pastoral region

Church guidelines on Mass celebrations

Also available for download are statistics on the declining number of priests in the

Archdiocese.

Your parish may have other questions specific to your situation. Formulating those

questions and answers will help to keep the parish informed as well as enable the

leadership team to provide consistent answers for parishioners.


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II.e. Scriptural texts to illustrate homily themes for pastoral regions

RESPONSORIAL PSALM TEXTS AND OTHER SCRIPTURAL PASSAGES

SUNDAYS OF CYCLE B AND ADDITIONALTEXTS

1. Theology of Change: Living the Paschal Mystery; Metanoia, Conversion

28TH Sunday in OT: Psalm 90 “Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy”

29th Sunday in OT: Psalm 33 “Lord, let your mercy be on us as we place our trust in you”

33rd Sunday in OT: Psalm 16 “You are my inheritance, O Lord”

Additional passage:

Exodus 3: 7 – 8: God leads us in our planning like He led Moses through a transformative (conversion)

process

2. Mission of the Pastoral Region; Vibrant Church: Living the Mission of Jesus Christ; Jesus’ Kingdom

17th Sunday in OT: Psalm 145 “The hand of the Lord feeds us; answers all our needs”

20th Sunday in OT: Psalm 34 “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”

23rd Sunday in OT: Psalm 14 “Praise the Lord, my soul”

27th Sunday in OT: Psalm 12 “May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives”

Additional passages:

Tobit 4:16 – 19; Micah 6:8: Prayer for a Vibrant Church

3. Liturgy: Where we come together not just to tolerate, but to celebrate our diversity

Most Holy Trinity in OT: Psalm 33 “Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be His own”

11th Sunday in OT: Psalm 92: “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you”

21st Sunday in OT: Psalm 34 “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”

30th Sunday in OT: Psalm 12 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy”

Additional passage:

1 Corinthians 12:12-31: We are all connected

4. Priesthood of the Laity: Our baptismal call

22nd Sunday in OT: Psalm 15 “The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord”

32nd Sunday in OT: Psalm 146 “Praise the Lord, my soul”

5. Hopefulness: Being an Easter people

15th Sunday in OT: Psalm 85 “Lord, let us see your kindness and grant us your salvation”

16th Sunday in OT: Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd”

19th Sunday in OT: Psalm 34 “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord”

24th Sunday in OT” Psalm 116 “I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living”

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Additional passages:

Hebrews 11: 1; Romans 11: 1; 1 Corinthians 13: 12: Being hopeful about the future

6. Keeping Conversation Going; Engagement; Opportunities for feedback

18th Sunday in OT: Psalm 78 “The Lord gave them bread from heaven”

26th Sunday in OT: Psalm 19 “The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart”

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II.e. Scriptural texts to illustrate homily themes for pastoral regions

GOSPEL TEXTS

SUNDAYS OF CYCLE B AND ADDITIONAL TEXTS

1. Theology of Change: Living the Paschal Mystery; Metanoia, Conversion

21st Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 60-69 “Master, to whom shall we go?”

24th Sunday in OT: Mk 8: 27- 35 “Who do people say that I am?”

28th Sunday in OT: Mk 10: 17- 30 “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Additional passage:

Mark 8: 1 -10: Bread for the journey

2. Mission of the Pastoral Region; Vibrant Church: Living the Mission of Jesus Christ; Jesus’ Kingdom

11th Sunday in OT: Mk 4: 26- 34 “The Mustard Seed”

17th Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 1-15 “Multiplication of Loaves and Fish”

23rd Sunday in OT: Mk 7: 31-37 “Healing- Ephphatha”

29th Sunday in OT: Mk 10: 35- 45 “Drink of the cup”

3. Liturgy: Where we come together not just to tolerate, but to celebrate our diversity

31st Sunday in OT: Mk 12: 28- 34 “The greatest commandment”

32nd Sunday in OT: Mk 12: 38- 44 “Widow’s contribution”

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: Mk 14: 12- 16, 22-26

4. Priesthood of the Laity: Our baptismal call

15th Sunday in OT: Mk 6: 7-13 “Two by two”

Most Holy Trinity: Matt. 28: 16- 20 “Go make Disciples”

29th Sunday in OT: Mk 10: 35- 45 “Drink the cup or be baptized”

5. Hopefulness: Being an Easter people

17th Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 1-15 “Multiplication of the loaves”

18th Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 24- 35 “Bread of Life”

19th Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 41- 51 “Bread of Life”

30th Sunday in OT: Mk 10: 46- 52 “Bartimaeus”

6. Keeping Conversation Going; Engagement; Opportunities for feedback

Nativity of St. John the Baptist: Luke 1: 57-66, 80 “Zechariah and John”

13th Sunday in OT: Mk 5: 21- 43 “Persistent Prayer”

20th Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 51- 58 “Living Bread”

21st Sunday in OT: Jn 6: 60- 69 “Do you also want to leave?”

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Appendix

Phase III: Building the Pastoral Region Plan

III.d. Sample letter from Archbishop Schnurr announcing implementation of the

pastoral region plan

When Archbishop Schnurr determines that it’s time for parishes to implement their

pastoral region plan, he will send a letter to each registered parishioner’s home to

inform them. The letter is generated by the Archdiocese and mailed first class by parish.

The letter’s content will vary depending on the parishes’ situation. You can find a sample

letter on the Pastoral Region section of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati website:

www.catholiccincinnati.org/ministries-offices/pastoral-regions under “News and

Updates.”


23

Appendix

Phase III: Building the Pastoral Region Plan

III.e. Bulletin insert/Letter describing next steps in implementation

Depending on the timing of the Archbishop’s letter in your pastoral region planning and

implementation process, the pastor(s) may need to follow up with a letter and/or an

announcement clarifying what happens next in the process. This letter could include:

Acknowledgement of the Archbishop’s letter

Summary of decisions made by the pastoral region coordinating committee and

accepted by the Archbishop

Additional information about the process for naming a new pastor, if applicable

The most recent timeline to implement anticipated changes

Pastoral message about “staying at the table,” thanking parishioners for their

care and attention to this work, affirming hopes for the future

5/9/2012

communication plan and toolkit for parishes …...2012/05/09 · 1 communication plan and toolkit...

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