ReMade For Mission Update
Message from Fr. Steve Re Listening Sessions
By now you should be aware that we have been having a number of Listening Sessions since the Fall. In our series of Listening Sessions, we recently held two meetings regarding Clergy, Volunteer and Staff Wellness. One of the key subtopics of those meetings was the need to change our mass schedule. Due to a number of factors, there is no longer a need for five weekend masses (four in English and one in Spanish). We will be moving to Four weekend masses (three in English and one in Spanish). While the deadline for this bulletin was before the second of the two large meetings, there are two smaller ones to be held. One is with the current families involved in the Family Faith Formation program and the other is with the leaders and priests who help with the Spanish Mass. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks there will be a consensus of what the new mass schedule will look like. From what I have gathered so far, each church will be affected. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read the background information
written by Fr. Dan Quinn, former Associate Pastor here in the CCNCC (about 10 years ago) and now Pastor of a few parishes in Albany, I encourage you to do so. He explains many of the same reasons we need to change our mass times in our three parishes. There is also an introduction to that information from one of our lifetime parishioners. Thank you for your prayerful cooperation in this decision and decision-making process. Stay tuned for more information. God Bless, Fr. Steve
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