5. Parish Structures and Interdependent Relationships

Parishes are vital to the life of the Church and the life of neighborhoods. The continued development of effective parishes amidst times of diminishing resources and new needs calls us to create more responsive and flexible structures as tools in meeting the challenges of The Church in the City. Spiritually we must become one people united in faith and interdependent on each other.

This interdependence must be supported by structures and relationships that are mutually beneficial and able to utilize the different gifts of people and communities in complementary partnerships. We also need to address the inequities between parishes in the accumulation and use of resources.

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Develop and encourage effective models for parish partnerships (between urban, suburban and rural parishes) which recognize the gifts and needs of each community and promote dialogue, understanding and mutual support.

• include models that can share the staffing, structures and activities of two or more parish communities
• provide a diocesan-supported linking service for urban and suburban parishes, recognizing the need for support from pastors and lay leaders.
• encourage people to remember "where I came from" to get them in touch with urban parishes in their roots
• consider prayer days, discussion groups, social activities, gardening projects, pulpit exchanges, workshops, community outreach, joint pastoral council meetings and the mutual sharing of time, talent and financial resources.

Utilize the Future Parish Staffing Project to support parishes in assessing parish vitality and viability and in creating, discussing and developing new proposals and models for more effective staffing, ministries, structures and facility use.

• prepare and encourage viable alternatives for more flexible staffing plans which include permanent deacons, pastoral ministers, lay professionals, shared staffing between two or more parishes.
• provide a 'third-party facilitator' service for helping parishes to propose, explore and implement new models of staffing and restructuring with other parishes
• assist parishes in making the best use of their buildings in service to neighborhood needs.

Continue to develop and support evangelization efforts which involve the cooperative efforts of parishes and utilize learning from past experiences.

• Learn from and support the evangelization efforts within the African American and Hispanic communities
• build upon successful parish efforts which incorporate the following qualities: facilities and opportunities for youth, good liturgy and hospitality, an experience of a welcoming community, effective outreach, involvement in revitalizing the neighborhood, adequate parish support staff and program capability.

Assign pastors and parish administrators who will consistently support models of interparish collaboration that have been established as well as continue to develop new models.

Encourage parishes to consider wider Church needs and not only the assessment of fiscal soundness and local parish needs, at the time when major parish expenditures (related to facilities, staffing and investments) are being planned.

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For questions or comments, please send messages to: citc@igc.apc.org URL = http://www.citc.org/citc/

1996 The Diocese of Cleveland, Cleveland Ohio (216) 696-6525 ext. 350