9. Diocesan Support Structure for The Church in the City

The vision of The Church in the City proposes an unprecedented shift in the immersion of the diocese and its parishes into the life of the community and in the creation of new forms of partnerships. This will require the sustained cooperation and commitment of diocesan offices, parishes and institutions in an interlocking and long-term effort to meet the challenges of our time. A visible structure of leadership and support will be needed to maintain a consistent commitment amidst other competing demands and to translate implementation plans into day-to-day practice.

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Establish an Implementation Steering Committee named by the Bishop with a designated leader having the authority and responsibility to ensure "mission effectiveness" in carrying forth the Implementation Plan within the diocesan community. The committee would include representatives from diocesan offices that relate to the diocesan-level recommendations as well as from consultative groups, parishes and institutions, and the wider community.

This committee would serve as a smaller 'steering hub - umbrella group' and relate to a larger network of leaders from operative models and projects related to The Church in the City and representing each of the three major metropolitan areas. The committee would:

• continue to plan, coordinate, sustain and monitor implementation activities, including the development and management of an annual diocesan action plan
• serve as a clearinghouse to continue to encourage, gather and utilize creative, effective ideas for carrying forth The Church in the City vision
• assure a continuing focus and systemic commitment of resources, structures and services in support of The Church in the City recommendations and related timely strategic issues, recognizing the constraints of the diocesan budget
• report to the Bishop through designated leadership and staff.

Develop collaboration between Catholic Charities Corporation (fund raising arm) and the implementation efforts which enable donors to better understand this social justice work of the Church.

• include The Church in the City implementation in promotional and marketing efforts
• consider development of a special fund to support implementation projects using a wider base of community sources.

Assess how the funds of the local Campaign for Human Development might be utilized to support parish initiatives consistent with The Church in the City implementation plan.

Explore options for staff support and funding for implementation projects using resources within the wider community.

Develop the integration of The Church in the City implementation plan within

• The City of Cleveland Bicentennial Celebration (1996)
• the 75th Anniversary of Catholic Charities (1996)
• and the Celebration of the Diocesan Sesquicentennial (1997)

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