A few years ago, I was asked to preside at the closing Mass for my home parish. It was difficult to stand for the last time at the same altar where I celebrated my very first Mass as a priest. As the parish closed, it was a huge experience of grief for myself and all my fellow parishioners. While this was several years ago, some folks still have continued to isolate themselves and have withdrawn from the community. I spoke with someone from my closed parish just last night and they are still complaining. Greif does not have a timeline, but their comments seemed to increase their (and my) personal anxiety about what is happening with the restructuring of the AOD.
The need for this restructuring is no different than other Catholic dioceses across the U.S.: declining Mass attendance, a shortage of priests, aging infrastructures, and financial strain. There are similar initiatives underway in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Seattle, New Orleans, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Buffalo. In our Archdiocese, we have seen a 40% decline in attendance since 2011. In fact, 67% of our parishes see fewer than 600 weekly participants. So what should we do?
To manage our emotional distress regarding these changes, I think we should do several things. First, recognize that losing a parish or experiencing change is a form of grief. Validating these feelings helps in moving in the right direction. The transition process takes time, and it is normal to feel uncertain. The reality of the change is inevitable, so focusing on positive adaptation is more productive than fighting. Second, educate yourself. Parish Workbooks have been posted to the Restructuring website. Our specific one is here. The workbooks provide historical information, demographics, data and trends about each parish in the Archdiocese. Third, get empowered and actively participate in the process through feedback in the listening sessions that are offered.
Practically, all of this involves honoring the past by focusing on faith-based hope rather than anger. When I get overwhelmed, since I am grieving as well, I continue my personal and communal prayer, i.e. I try to trust in God’s plan rather than let anger take over.
The upcoming listening sessions are intended to gather feedback from parishioners. They will present potential pastorate models (groupings of parishes led by a pastor). Feedback during these listening sessions will be shared with an AOD Core Planning Team and with Archbishop Weisenburger for his discernment. Please see more about the sessions and register ASAP – I really hope to see you there!
God Bless,
Fr. J.J.