PEOPLE & PLACES
Balancing Act:
Collaborative Parish Ministry Katarina Schuth, O.S.F.
In her seminal book, Priestly Ministry in Multiple Parishes, Katarina Schuth explored what changes to parish structure—from singular entities to collaborative or clustered parishes—meant for the priests serving them. More than 900 priests responded to her questions. Her findings take on even greater importance today given the demographic changes affecting many dioceses in the United States. Selections have been edited for length.
W
WHERE ARE WE? During the past few years, almost every week has brought news of a parish being combined with one or more parishes and of others being closed. For the most part these events are recorded and then seemingly forgotten, except by the pastor who has just had his duties doubled or tripled, by the staff whose roles are expanded, and by the parishioners who find themselves without their own pastor and sometimes without their former parish. According to reports from a number of dioceses, the rate at which priests are becoming responsible for more than one parish is growing rapidly. WHAT’S ON OUR PRIESTS’ PLATES? Priests in clustered parishes, as well as those assigned to a single parish, have a wide range of responsibilities. Though the sizes of parishes are usually smaller when a priest is pastor to several parishes, he often does not have a staff of more than one or two persons, so he usually carries out most of the duties himself. Priests indicate how central to the life of parishes are liturgical and sacramental celebrations and put most of their energy into preparing for these celebrations. Eighty percent of respondents celebrate the Eucharist three or four times each weekend. Many priests comment that the number of services is usually manageable, but more burdensome are the hours required for travel and the separate preparation considered necessary for congregations with distinctive and diverse membership. Besides the Eucharist, other sacraments—including baptism, reconciliation, and marriage—are celebrated frequently on weekends. The concentration of effort in a short period of time takes extraordinary planning and abundant energy. Especially for the one-fourth of priests
14
c21 resources | spring 2020
doing this work who are sixty-five or older, the intense nature of this ministry is extremely demanding. A surprisingly large number of the parishes in this sample maintain an elementary school, and the burden of providing adequate religious education through catechetical programs falls heavily on the pastors. Many have a wide range of additional jobs such as chancellor, vicar, member of the diocesan tribunal, or director of a diocesan office, which stretch them even thinner. WHAT DO THEY WISH THEY COULD PRIORITIZE? A majority of respondents mention prayer as most important in fostering life and growth in their parishes. When speaking of the liturgy, priests call attention to the importance of scheduling regular weekend or Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist that are well planned and executed, vibrant and meaningful, faith filled, and spirit filled. The celebration, they believe, should reflect the faith life of the community and demonstrate the pastor’s understanding of the people in a particular parish. Besides its intrinsic value of moving the congregation closer to Christ, liturgy is crucial to parish life because of its intended consequences; namely, building up the community and involving parishioners in good works beyond the parish. Priests recognize the homily, when well prepared, as an essential element in giving life to parishes. As many respondents attest, being present to parishioners and letting them know you are pleased to be among them is another important factor in giving life to a parish. One should not underestimate the significance of simply “being there as often as possible” and “being present to the people at church, school, and community.” Others mention the situations or occasions when their presence is especially appreciated, such as at major moments of joy and celebration or grief and sadness—”when they genuinely need you.” The quality of one’s presence, of course, is critical. People know they are genuinely cared for when pastors are attentively listening and when they are not eager to move on to the next task as quickly as they can. Spending time with people beyond Sunday liturgies, being available and approachable to many different personality types, showing a joyful willingness to serve, maintaining the sense of belonging—these are all examples of dedication and commitment that give life to parishes.
