By Father Andrew McCormack, SM

In September, 1991, our beloved Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, issued to all parishes documents published by the Cleveland diocese on a new way of looking at parish pastoral councils and parish finance councils. The archbishop had been closely involved in formulating these documents as auxiliary bishop of Cleveland and believed them to be sound.

At the same time, some of our people at Our Lady of the Assumption parish were taking archdiocese ministry formation courses and brought us ideas, particularly from the book, “The Hands-On Parish,” by Father William J. Bausch. And I had recently participated in a pastor’s preparation course.

Both the OLA pastoral and finance councils gave considerable study and then held a joint retreat Aug. 22, 1992, at Marian Meadows. Retreatants spent the time praying, studying and sharing on the documents. This retreat enabled members of both councils to get to know each other. The two groups continue to come together periodically and1993 began with both groups.

A major meeting on Oct. 5, 1992, was attended by members of the two councils plus the parish pastoral staff and the deacons. They discussed their roles and responsibilities, shared their concerns and worked on their dream statements for the parish. At the session the group decided to be known as the Omni Council. They requested to be part of the annual retreat in August. This was approved, giving a wider voice of information for the councils.

Groups continued to meet separately and on Nov. 16 there was a meeting of the Omni Council together with the heads of about 70 parish ministries and groups. A presentation was made to the large gathering about the documents. It was the very best of meetings, the Spirit reigned, people were enthusiastic. This group became known as the Assembly.

We found by a show of hands at the meeting that more than 97 percent of these leaders had made Christ Renews His Parish, a weekend of spiritual and community enrichment. They urged that others be given the opportunity and a committee was established to look into this.

The parish community gathering Dec. 1 continued the education process begun in the parish newsletter, The Mustard Seed.

Another aid was a booklet distributed to parishioners listing all ministries, organizations, contact persons and telephone numbers. We also published a wheel of organizations under seven categories or departments: social community building, Christian service, spiritual growth, worship, formation, education and administration. The parish priests, pastoral staff and deacons are the advocates, each being assigned in teams to the seven areas. As advocates they bring the concerns of their assigned groups the councils.

Many items on the agenda for pastoral council meetings are spiritual in adherence to the Cleveland guidelines. One reads: “The purpose of the parish pastoral council is to promote the spiritual growth of the parish community and to plan ways for the parish to carry out the mission of the church.” Such topics bring a sense of bonding to the councils. This is especially evident after the meetings when members linger for social purposes.

A theme that has been the thread of all the meetings is: When one dreams alone it is only a dream. When many dream together it is the beginning of a new reality.

At OLA we are keeping the councils and officers in place for one more year while committees work out changes that may have to be made in the constitution and bylaws of the old parish and finance councils.

In August, we will put into full operation results of the growing process of the past year. The plan is now almost in place, only time will prove if it is to be effective. But it is the most challenging, the best thing that ever happened to the parish.

We have learned never to make a decision without giving it a month’s discernment. We have had good decisions. We also learned that the Assembly is the most important vehicle for knowing what’s happening in the parish.

All of the dreams for the parish were announced from the four corners of the church at Masses on the fifth Sunday of Lent. We have only just begun in this Marian church of ours, hopefully inspired by the Holy Spirit of God in our Jesus centeredness in all that we do trying to carry out the will of the Father.

Father McCormack is pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Atlanta.