News

Cooperation plan work begins

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

Related articles: from Feb. 3, 2006 issue: • Life after GRACE: Work starts soon     Work will begin on finding ways to cooperate on efforts     Sidebar: Bishop outlines future actions • Positive reaction greets decision     Bishop heartened by the sheer number who got     involved in discussion from Jan. 27, 2006 issue (article posted 1/30/2006): • Unified Green Bay school system plan delayed     No schools to close for 2006-07 unless parishes ask from Jan. 6, 2006 issue: • GRACE comments from individuals, parishes compiled     Process continues this week from Dec. 9, 2005 issue: • Bridging the Gap by Bishop David Zubik --     Bridging the Gap: G-R-A-C-E     This is a time for exploration and for collaboration from Nov. 25, 2005 issue: • Plan released for unified Green Bay system     Proposal would close three schools, consolidate two     and form one K-8 school system     Sidebar: Green Bay school proposal     Sidebar: Schedule for action from Nov. 4, 2005 issue: • Release delayed on school planning report     Proposal for consolidating the Green Bay area schools     into a system due after Thanksgiving from Sept. 2, 2005 issue: • GRACE subcommittees form     Proposed plan for a unified Green Bay Catholic school     system continues to advance from July 8, 2005 issue: • Unified Green Bay Catholic school system under study     No decisions have been made from June 24, 2005 issue: • Groups ponder schools' future     Proposal considers ways to guarantee the financial     solvency of Catholic schools

Work is under way to develop plans in the Green Bay area for parishes to work together to meet pastoral needs and to support Catholic day schools.

Bp. David Zubik called for such plans on Jan. 27 in his response to the Green Bay Regional Association of Catholic Education - GRACE - proposal.

GRACE had proposed creating a unified K-8 Catholic school system, closing three schools and consolidating two others for the 2006-07 school year.

Instead, Bp. Zubik called for additional study of the school issue and a broader look at cooperative efforts in Green Bay area parishes to meet pastoral needs, including religious education and adult formation.

To do that, Bp. Zubik hired the Reid Group, a Seattle consulting firm that works with faith-based, non-profit and small business groups, to work with diocesan staff, priests, parishes and schools in developing the plans.

If approved by Bp. Zubik, after a review by the diocese's various consultative bodies, the plans would take effect July 1, 2007, said Mark Mogilka, diocesan director of Stewardship & Pastoral Services.

The Reid Group will help:

• explore the feasibility of developing a plan for a coordinated Catholic school system for fall 2007 and to make appropriate recommendations;

• the diocesan Department of Education develop diocesan mission, core values and vision statements for day schools, religious education for public school students and adult formation;

• put together a plan for inter-parish pastoral care in conjunction with the diocesan departments of Stewardship & Pastoral Services, Evangelization & Worship, and Catholic Charities. It would include care for the poor, worship, pastoral care, evangelization, stewardship, youth and young adults.

John Reid and Maureen Gallagher of the Reid Group were in Green Bay in late February and early March. They met with Bp. Zubik; Dcn. Tim Reilly, diocesan director of administration; pastors, educators, pastoral ministers and diocesan staff from the affected departments, including Mogilka and Dr. Joseph Bound, director of Education.

"Pastors who attended recognize the importance of Catholic schools in meeting the evangelical mission of the church," said Msgr. Jim Dillenburg, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Green Bay.

In January, Bp. Zubik named Msgr. Dillenburg to head a task force of all Green Bay area pastors to explore ways for parishes to work together to provide pastoral services.

"Parishes are unique due to demographics and other factors, so 'one size fits all' cannot apply," Msgr. Dillenburg said. "Pastors are responsible for balancing all aspects of the church's mission. Though not every parish need provide every service, our task is to find ways to provide for the spiritual and educational needs of all parishioners. It is anticipated that further communication and cooperation between parishes and pastors will result in more effective ministry throughout the diocese."

Mogilka said he is "excited about the possibility of looking at a total ministry approach to working collaboratively with the parishes that will further enhance the mission of the church in the greater Green Bay area. It's critical that we affirm and nurture education as a critical ministry of the church as well as other essential ministries of the church such as worship, pastoral care and concern for those hurting and needy."

Mogilka said he hopes "that what we learn through this planning process in the greater Green Bay area we'll be able to use to assist other areas of the diocese in the years to come," he said.

The Reid Group will return to the diocese in June to present first drafts of the plans for the parishes and schools and to conduct focus groups/listening sessions on the plans and other research.

They are scheduled to return in October to present the second draft of the plans to the various diocesan, parish and school officials and groups.

The Reid Group is to present the final draft of the plan to Bp. Zubik and other diocesan leaders by Nov. 15.