Parish planning help offered

Implementation of the parish planning process continues throughout the Green Bay Diocese, and Diane Vanderheiden is here to help.

Vanderheiden, the new diocesan consultant for parish planning and councils, will provide support and service to pastors and pastoral councils throughout the diocese, assisting with long range planning at the parish level. She will also serve as a liaison with parish business administrators.

"The church as we know it is changing and it is important to help people find the right way to change," said Vanderheiden, who once served as the business administrator at St. Willebrord Parish, Green Bay. "Every area has to be thought out carefully. Each situation is different."

"With her years of experience as a parish business manager, Diane brings some new perspectives, talents, experiences and opportunities for new services," said Mark Mogilka, diocesan director of Pastoral Services. "There is much to be done to build on the recently completed diocesan planning process and Diane will be playing an important role in the linking, merging and clustering of parishes."

Vanderheiden, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, De Pere, witnessed the successful merger of St. Boniface and St. Joseph parishes into Lourdes.

"I watched the communication flow," she said. "The request for information was always there. People had time to adjust. I think it has worked well."

Vanderheiden is planning parish visits and will present workshops to assist faith communities with the planning process. Serving the diocese has special meaning, she said.

"I have never lived outside the diocese," she said. "I grew up in Cleveland in Manitowoc County in the southern portion of the diocese. I was a member of St. Wendel Parish. I enjoyed working at St. Willebrord and wanted to go back into working for the church. It can be very rewarding."

Vanderheiden succeeds Sr. Mary Bride Grubbs, ANG, who became chancellor of the Diocese of Green Bay on July 1.