Growing An Engaged Church

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MIND AND HEART OF BISHOP VASA:       One of the ongoing challenges in the Church is to stimulate and retain greater involvement of our people in the works of the Church. This is something which the Diocese has decided to tackle in a more comprehensive way during the coming year.  This initiative has already begun and a vast majority of our priests  seem to be excited about what we hope to do. The first phase of the initiative began last year when we brought Father Daniel Mahan from the Center for Catholic Stewardship in Indianapolis to speak to both priests and laity about a fuller understanding and appreciation of stewardship.  He was very well received and so we brought him back this year to offer a fuller treatment of the subject, primarily for our priests, but also for involved laity.  Father was given the entire time of our Annual Presbyteral Assembly to lay out the groundwork for what we hope to continue this winter and into next year.       Father began with an explanation of human dynamics and explained that in most groups, whether in the Church or in business, there is a certain portion of the people really engaged in and excited about what they are doing. This is almost universally 16%. This is the percentage of people most likely to step up and say, Yes, we can do this!  We recognize, however, that 16% participation is hardly sufficient to continue to move forward in  an energetic and proactive fashion.       This then leads to a recognition that another 49%, again in both Church and industry, would be described as not engaged. These folks go to work faithfully and even participate, but perhaps in a less than enthusiastic fashion. This is the group more likely to stand back and say, “Well, I suppose if we have to do this then we should but don’t expect too much from me”. There would not be many active regular volunteers from this group.       The last segment (35%), again in Church and in the workplace, are those whom Father describes as the actively disengaged.  For those with a “glass-half-empty” view this means that 84% of the people are typically not engaged in Diocesan, Parish or Community activities.  On the other hand, a “glass-half-full” view rejoices that 65%  of the people are at their posts, doing their jobs and perhaps simply in need of a little encouragement.       Over the coming year, in four separate day-long exercises, our priests will be encouraged by Father Mahan to find their own strengths as well as the strengths of their engaged parishioners with the hope and goal of expanding the ranks of the engaged group. This “energizing” of those who seem to be non-engaged represents the best hope of generating an increasingly engaged parish. Pray that this initiative bears fruit for our priests and parishes.  Ask your pastor about it.                                                                                                                                                                                                     May God Bless You, Bishop Robert F. Vasa Dear Priests and Those Who Love Them,       The following Days for Clergy Homework Assignment will be an excellent opportunity for ourselves, our parishioners, and our parishes.        God has given us the Wisdom to develop tools like “Living Your Strengths” that “promote [our] integral development for the benefit of all.” (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church 2292-2294)  The Diocese of Baker is utilizing this tool as a way to help all parishes grow in holiness.        Plus, “Living Your Strengths” is so full of Sacred Scripture and useful practical applications that it will make for fruitful discussion.  As the Mystical Body of Christ we need each other for the encouragement this process can provide.  (cf. CCC 792; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:11-13; esp. 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Pius XII Mystici Corporis)  Here is the Homework Assignment: 1.  Purchase a copy of the Catholic Edition of “Living Your Strengths” for each member of your staff, Parish Council, Finance Council, or select parishioners who do a lot around the parish or who are your friends or greatest supporters.  Remember, there is a big discount for purchasing more than 10 copies at this website listed - http://www.theobooks.org/images/LYS_Combined_order_form_Website.pdf.  Have each person take the Clifton StrengthsFinder at http://sf1.strengthsfinder.com/  using the unique access code from the insert in the back of their book. 2.  After obtaining the results of their StrengthsFinders, gather with these people as a small group utilizing the “Growing Stronger in Faith and Action” small group study guide by Leisa Anslinger.  A free download of this publication can be obtained on request from Jean Zander at TZANDER@indy.rr.com . 3.  Bring the results of all the parishioners who took the StrengthsFinder and met with you for the small group discussion to the February 16 & 17, 2011 Days for Clergy gathering at the Diocesan Retreat Center. 4.  Select one leader whom you admire from the parish, office, or someone close to you.  Have them do the StrengthsFinder and then share the results with you.  Make sure they are available by phone on the morning of February 17, 2011 so that you can ask them some questions as specified at that time by Fr. Mahan.  As we begin this process of Growing Engaged Parishes let us pray that it will bear much fruit. God Bless, Rev. James Radloff Secretary Council of Priests Diocese of Baker P.O. Box 5999 Bend, OR  97708 (541) 388-4004

 

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