Plan for parishes 2003-2008

by Mark Kemmeter

After years of research and dialogue, the Plan for Parishes, 2003 — 2008 is nearly complete. From its formation in 1957, the Diocese of New Ulm has made planning for the future an important priority. When the new Plan is approved by Bishop John C. Nienstedt, it will contain sections on the diocesan mission and priorities, the organization of parishes, and pastoral leadership. A plan for the future is most effective when it is soundly based on reality.

A look at statistical information from representative years in the forty-six year history of the diocese reveals some very interesting trends that the Plan will address.

The year 1957 is selected because it is the founding year of the diocese. 1970 is an important year because the "Structures Committee" (a forerunner of the Committee on Parishes) presented an insightful report on the future of the Diocese.

In 1985, the diocesan Long Range Planning Team (another predecessor) developed a five-year forecast statement leading to the formulation of diocesan goals. One of the results of this process was the establishment of a "Task Force on Parishes" which became the Committee on Parishes in 1989. The most current statistics available are from 2002. All data is from the respective annual edition of the Official Catholic Directory, by P. J. Kenedy and Sons.

NOTE: for Diocese of New Ulm Statistical Information 1957-2002, please contact diocesan Office of Communications,

e-mail: www.dnu.org OR phone: (507) 359-2966.

Conclusions from the Structures Committee 1971 report

• Parishes in larger communities (over 2500) will grow; the rest will get smaller unless they are bedroom communities near a large job opportunity center.

• The average age of parishioners will increase giving rise to a real need for an apostolate to the elderly.

• Even though there are presently a large number of children, ages 4 through 18, they will eventually move out (unless jobs are provided) so they should be prepared to live in the big city.

• People who do not go to church do not give much. When added to the declining population and lower average incomes, a hard
• look needs to be taken at the future financing of parishes, institutions, and schools.

• The diocese must plan for four to five fewer priests per year for the next ten to fifteen years. That means that almost one-half of the parishes will lose the services of a pastor or assistant.

• Several schools will be closing in June. Being a rural diocese with no motherhouse in the diocese, it is possible that the number of sisters will significantly decrease unless an alternative option is set up.

• Summary of the Conclusions: All of us — bishop, people, priests and sisters, need to take a good honest look at the situation and start looking for new methods of spreading the gospel in the future.

Highlights from the 1985 forecast statements

• Administration — There will be an annual two-day parish fiscal management conference for parish administrators conducted by diocesan staff. (The 2003 conference will be held this month.)

• Evangelization and Catechesis — New technology will be used in the Communications Office. (Since 1985, the diocese has added e-mail, a multi-faceted web site, Cable public access, and radio programs.)

• Parishes — The number of parish councils will continue to increase in compliance with the diocesan directive. (As of 2003, all parishes now have parish pastoral councils.)
• Personnel — Personnel in the diocese will be expanded to include many non-ordained, full-time people in leadership. (At present there are 33 lay ministers in the diocese.)

• Planning — Regional Pastoral Councils will become stronger bodies for support, collaboration, and communication. (Regional Pastoral Councils were disbanded in 2000.)

• Social Concerns — By 1990, two-thirds of the parishes in the diocese will have a social concerns committee. (Presently, only one-half of diocesan parishes have a social concerns committee.)

Interesting facts - Diocese of New Ulm, 2003

• There are 54,897 people within the diocesan boundaries who have no religious affiliation. (Glenmary Research Center)

• The Catholic population in the diocesan counties increased by 1.3% from the previous census. Most mainline Christian denominations lost membership during that period.. (Glenmary Research Center)

• The population of the fifteen counties making up the diocese is projected to increase by 10% over the next twenty-five years. (MN Planning State Demographic Center)

• Mass attendance in the diocese averages 50%. Nationally, the average is 30%. (Parish self-studies and Gallup Poll)

• The Priest Personnel Board projection for the number of priests in the year 2008 is 38. Currently there are 44.