The Spirit remains with our Church

April 12, 2005

My dear sisters and brothers in the Risen Lord,

	Bishop David Zubik

Approximately one year ago, we began the Parish Planning Process in the Diocese of Green Bay. Since then pastors, parish directors, area planning facilitators and pastoral council chairpersons have diligently participated in countless meetings with the leadership and parishioners in each of the 15 regional planning groups of our diocese. They have also attended meetings for several months with representatives from neighboring parishes. Together, they have prayerfully discussed and discerned how best to make use of the personnel, ministries and resources of the parishes in our diocese.

First and foremost, a sincere "thank you" for the time and sacrifices that they and you have made to make this planning process possible. From the reports that I have received, it is apparent that this process was truly a work of the Holy Spirit who will energize us and make us stronger as a Church as we face the future.

Enclosed in this edition of The Compass [print edition only], you will find a summary of the plans that have emerged from this process for all the parishes in our diocese. These plans have been reviewed by the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Parish Planning Committee. Both bodies have recommended these plans to me for acceptance and implementation and I accept the recommendation of both of these important consultative bodies. These plans will serve as guidelines to be used in making personnel decisions as they arise in the future.

	Parish Planning 2005
	ABOVE: map showing the 15 parish planning regions superimposed over the counties of the Diocese of Green Bay. • Related articles in April 15   Compass Web issue • Additional parish planning info. on   Diocese of Green Bay Web site

In addition, I have asked the pastor or parish director of your particular parish to communicate to you the Area Plan for your parish and surrounding parishes.

We began this planning process with trust in God's promise to the prophet Jeremiah: "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for your woe; plans to give you a future full of hope" (Jer 29:11).

Through these many months of hard work, we have witnessed once again the fidelity of Jesus to His promise that the Holy Spirit would remain with the Church and guide us as Jesus entrusts us with a continuation of the work which He began. We continue to praise God with grateful hearts and confidence in that same Spirit as we move into the future full of hope.

Grateful for our belief that "Nothing is Impossible with God," I am

Your brother in Christ,

[signed]

Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Green Bay