Preparing a pastoral visitation
This weekend (Saturday evening and Sunday morning) I had the opportunity to do a pastoral visit at Corpus Christi parish in the westernmost end of the diocese. This parish has not had a resident pastor for a few weeks now, such that different priests have been coming in to do replacement ministry to cover the various sacramental services. I felt it was important to also go myself, to be part of this ministry and to reassure the parishioners that they had not been “forgotten”.
As part of working with the people to chart a course for the future, I’ve planned with the leadership of the parish to undertake a pastoral visitation of the parish in the month of December. I’m going to preside at all the masses two weekends in a row, and during the week in between I am going to move my office to the parish and live in the rectory. I plan to meet with all the various parish groups, as well as visit key community leaders and institutions. By the end, I hope the process will allow us all — bishop, parish leaders, and parishioners — to be on the same wavelength regarding the current state of things, and thus have a solid basis to plan for the future.