ReMade For Mission Update
Next Listening Session—Clergy Wellness
Saturday, April 11th, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Location TBD
Or
Thursday, April 16th, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. Location TBD
Our Tri-Parish Working Group met last week and drafted the agenda and discussion points for the next Listening Session, entitled Clergy Wellness. Three of the main subtopics include Mass schedule changes, staff wellness, and volunteer wellness. Two questions that I think are important for all parishioners to pray about are: how can I help with my parish? (There are many opportunities and needs); and, what is an acceptable time for you and your family to go to Mass? For example, if you currently go to mass at 7:15 am, would you be willing to go to mass at 8:15am or 8:45 am? Pray and think about these two questions. Please plan on joining other parishioners at one of the two sessions now scheduled: April 11 from 10:30am until 12:30pm, or, April 16 from 6:30 pm until 8:30pm, locations TBD. We want to hear your voice—come share it!
Sessions 1 & 2 Summary
A summary of the discussion at Listening Sessions 1 and 2 is available here.
Remade for Mission
To keep apprised of the latest regarding this important process within the Diocese of Albany, please go to www.rcda.org/remadeformission. (See p.7 for an update from Fr. Steve.)
Para mantenerse al día sobre este importante proceso en curso en la diócesis de Albany, visite www.rcda.org/remadeformission. (En la p.7 encontrará información actualizada del P. Steve.)
A Short Update Regarding the Remade for Mission Initiative
As some may know, there was a Zoom call during August updating those leaders of parishes throughout the Diocese of what the Remade for Mission process is all about. Additionally, the priests who attend the upcoming spiritual and fraternal conference next week, will be provided with more information and “next steps.” While I am in the process of writing a longer summary of where we are at (as the CCNCC), and where the process is going, here is a quick snapshot from the Zoom call taken from others from the CCNCC and from my notes from that call.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany consists of 14 counties, with 1.4 million people in the territory, but only 485,000 are Catholic; 37,000 attend Mass regularly in 126 parishes, of which approximately 600 attend Mass in the CCNCC on a regular basis.
There are many challenges facing the Diocese and each parish/network; the primary ones include
-Parish Finances
-Number and Age of Clergy and Clergy Wellness (49 priests are less than 70 years old)
-Aging Demographic
Two Big Questions—Is Church important to People? and How does the Church offset the American culture of convenience (for Mass time and location)?
The Diocese is looking at all 126 parish finances for the last 5 years.
-What is their financial status?*
-many are healthy
-some have issues
-some are in critical condition
-20% of parishes' finances are considered critical.
*Have their budgets been balanced?
There are challenging and difficult times ahead, for the Diocese, for most parishes, the CCNCC and each of our parishes. This process will affect parishes and parishioners as well as the clergy and religious throughout the 14 counties of the RCDA and the 126 parishes.
We need to work together. We need to re-imagine our future and to reach out and to help each other. There is a great need for cooperation – not division! This is a great opportunity to draw on our faith! Ultimately, we can emerge as a stronger, more vibrant community as a result of this process. Watch this space and our website for further information as it becomes available. God Bless, Fr. Steve