All Things New
Pastoral Planning Process
"Behold, I make all things new."
- Revelation 21:5
Mission Statement
We, the people of God of the Diocese of Saint Cloud, in union with the Universal Church, believe in and proclaim the presence of Jesus Christ in our world.
Our mission is to be His heart of mercy,
voice of hope, and hands of justice.
Guiding Principles
Guiding principles are crucial in the pastoral planning process, as they provide direction amid complex decisions, prioritize shared values, encourage collaboration, inspire trust, and help faith communities navigate challenges with purpose and integrity.
Missionary Discipleship
As baptized Catholics, we are all called to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Rooted in this mission, together we are guided by a desire to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world by living and sharing a life of faith.
Sacramental Life
The sacraments are outward signs of grace that God gives to people to help them live a life close to Jesus. We are guided by an invitation to encourage the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful in sacramental life and prayer of the Church.
Engaging the Laity
God has given each person a unique set of gifts and charisms to live out their individual
vocation. Through revitalized prayer and formation opportunities, encounters with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, we can welcome new faces into the fold. We are guided by our strengths to stimulate renewal in the Church.
Listening as a Way of the Church
The Holy Spirit calls us to pray, listen, and discern together what God is asking of us today. By listening to each other, we are guided by learning to best respond to the spiritual needs of all people in our diocese.
Prudent Stewardship
All our resources — human, structural, financial — are gifts from God. With a deep sense of gratitude, we are guided by the use of resources to achieve our shared mission in a healthy and responsible way.
Design Parameters
Design parameters are essential in creating a strategic plan because they provide a clear framework for decision-making, ensuring that the Church’s mission is carried out effectively and sustainably. Each parameter was developed from listening to various groups throughout the Diocese of Saint Cloud. A strategic plan built on these parameters will help the Church flourish, grow, and effectively serve its people for generations to come.
Accessibility to Weekend Mass
▶ 80 % of the faithful must have access to a Sunday Mass within a 20-minute drive.
▶ No rotation of Mass schedules between churches.
Budgeted Ministries
▶ One administrative office per ACC if under 3000 households.
▶ Liturgical Ministries.
▶ Formation Ministries: Children, Youth, Adult (Catholic schools included).
▶ Hispanic ministries with 10% of the total census population.
▶ Pastoral Care.
▶ Social Outreach
Pastors/Priests
▶ Limit of three Sunday Masses per weekend (not including weddings or funerals). The Mass schedule must be able to be accommodated by the priests assigned to their ACC.
▶ Pastors will spend at least 50% of their time in pastoral ministry.
▶ Desire to live in community within ACC will be considered.
Buildings
▶ Overall facility usage must average 50% occupancy or higher for all weekend liturgies in the ACC.
▶ Buildings must be physically accessible, hospitable, and safe. This includes restrooms and an elevator/ramp (if multiple levels).
▶ ACC plan must specify how empty buildings will be repurposed or relegated for secular but not unbecoming use, ideally within five years.
Governance
▶ Reduce the number of parish corporations.
▶ Identify potential worship sites, the Primary Church, and the Partner Churches.
Finances
▶ Each finance council will approve an attainable and reasonable annual balanced budget.
▶ Parish investment in Catholic schools may not exceed 40% of the general collection.
▶ Routine building operations may not exceed 25% of the general collection.
Need for Change
The changing world is creating new challenges and opportunities for the Church. We must adapt to changing demographics and other realities to effectively proclaim Jesus in our world today. We are guided by the Holy Spirit to build on the successes and dedication of past generations for the benefit of future generations.
The WHY? ‒ Our Current Reality
Decrease in Church Engagement
▸Mass attendance has declined 33.1%
▸Weddings have declied 45.9%
▸Baptisms are reduced by 44.7%
▸ First Communions have declined 37.8%
▸Confirmations are reduced by 35%
▸Registered Catholic households have declined 19%.
Underuse of Resources
We have an abundance of spiritual and material gifts in our clergy, laypeople, finances, and organizations. As stewards of God’s gifts, we must utilize them more effectively to fulfill our mission in the years to come.
▸Our average percent of church utilization for weekend masses is 39%.
▸There is a struggle to find and retain qualified and faithful lay employees due to increasing pressures, burnout, and limited compensation
Stressful Work Environments
Clergy, staff, and laity are experiencing stress in body, mind, and spirit in their ministries. Priests are responsible for multiple parishes, have heavier administrative responsibilities, leading to a reduction in time spent on pastoral and liturgical matters.
▸In 1999, the diocese had 97 priests serving 140 parishes. Today, 54 priests are serving 131 parishes.
▸The average number of parishes per diocesan priest is 2.4 (US average is
1.0); while the median number of parishes per priest is 3.
Reduced Giving
Four out of five parishes are unable to meet ministry and operations budgets through annual giving (plate and envelope). Consider that lower participation and reduced giving will lead to an unsustainable future without more collaboration and prudent allocation of time, talent, and treasure.
The How? ‒ The results that we seek
Renew Commitment
We will renew our commitment to Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist, as the source and summit of our Catholic faith. The Eucharist is a sacrament that sustains us and sends us on a mission to build up the Body of Christ by the witness of our words and actions. We will increase the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful in the sacramental life of the Church.
United Mission
We have an abundance of spiritual and material gifts in our clergy, laypeople, finances, and organizations. As stewards of God’s gifts, we must utilize them more effectively to fulfill our mission in the years to come.
▸Our average percent of church utilization for weekend masses is 39%.
▸There is a struggle to find and retain qualified and faithful lay employees due to increasing pressures, burnout, and limited compensation
Stewardship
We will exercise prudent stewardship of the human, structural, and financial gifts of diocesan, parish, and school resources
Strengthen Faith
We will strengthen the vitality of our Catholic Schools and lifelong faith formation offerings through worship, learning, and service.
Next Steps
Please take some time to fill out some survey questions about what you would like to see in our ACC.
Pray for a successful future and further unification of our three parish communities.