Thank you all for your prayers for our priest meeting with the Archbishop which occurred this past Tues. Feb. 3. All I can share about it is that we were presented with the first version of the final pastorate plan, and we priests have an opportunity over the next week to submit our feedback on any of the pastorate models. Then that feedback will be taken together with the feedback from the Planning Committee who met on Jan. 17 to make the final version of the final pastorate plan. Please continue to pray for the Archbishop and his core team as they pray and discern what is best moving forward for the Archdiocese.
Since the plan is still being worked on, I cannot share anything about it. I will only reiterate what Archbishop said before, that “Many changes have been made since the last set of models — changes shaped directly by your feedback and that of your parishioners. There is not a single pastorate match from the original A or B Models (the plans initially proposed by the Archdiocese) that made it to the first version of the final pastorate plan.” Furthermore I share with you what is on the Journey in Faith FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page, answering the question: “How can decisions be made if there are so many different viewpoints?”
“The Journey in Faith process recognizes that change in the Church can stir deep feelings — of hope, worry, loss, and even disagreement. Every viewpoint matters because every person matters. That’s why Archbishop Zinkula and the Journey in Faith leadership have approached each step of this process through prayer, listening, and discernment.Decision-making isn’t about choosing who wins and who loses — it’s about listening to the Holy Spirit and asking, ‘What will help our Church best carry out its mission today and for generations to come?’ While not every perspective can be reflected in every final decision, the Archdiocese is committed to walking with every parish and their parishioners through the transition from what has been to what is emerging. We trust that God is leading us — even through moments of loss — toward new life and renewed strength. Through listening, discerning, and praying, we are walking together in faith, trusting that the Spirit is guiding us toward a hopeful future for the Church in northeast Iowa.”
As we continue to pray for this process, my bulletin column for the next few weeks will be some reflections on what the readings might speak to us about preparing for this transition.
And also mark your calendars for April 10 (the Friday after Easter), as that is when the new pastorates and priest assignments will be announced. And we will share that with you all that weekend (April 11-12) at Mass, Divine Mercy Sunday. May the Lord’s mercy be actively at work in this process, that we may be led by him as we enter into these new realities!
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
¿Cómo se pueden tomar decisiones si hay tantos puntos de vista diferentes? (Añadido el 23/12/25)
El proceso «Journey in Faith» reconoce que el cambio en la Iglesia puede despertar sentimientos profundos: de esperanza, preocupación, pérdida e incluso desacuerdo. Todos los puntos de vista son importantes porque todas las personas son importantes. Por eso, el arzobispo Zinkula y los líderes de «Journey in Faith» han abordado cada paso de este proceso a través de la oración, la escucha y el discernimiento. La toma de decisiones no consiste en elegir quién gana y quién pierde, sino en escuchar al Espíritu Santo y preguntarse: «¿Qué ayudará mejor a nuestra Iglesia a llevar a cabo su misión hoy y en las generaciones venideras?». Aunque no todas las perspectivas pueden reflejarse en cada decisión final, la Arquidiócesis se compromete a acompañar a todas las parroquias y a sus feligreses en la transición de lo que ha sido a lo que está surgiendo. Confiamos en que Dios nos está guiando, incluso en los momentos de pérdida, hacia una nueva vida y una fuerza renovada. A través de la escucha, el discernimiento y la oración, caminamos juntos en la fe, confiando en que el Espíritu nos guía hacia un futuro esperanzador para la Iglesia en el noreste de Iowa.
