Shepherding: Many parishioners expressed hope and enthusiasm for a pastor who will guide them into an active parish life and a deeper knowledge of the Catholic faith. (31)
Collaboration: In addition to looking for dynamic leadership, the people of St. Mary are eager to work in union with a pastor who will engage their gifts for the good of the Church. (22)
Presence: People of all ages in the parish long for leadership that will be accessible, approachable, and will stay the course with them for as long as possible. (21)
The very nature of the November Listening Sessions invited thought and conversation as to what kind of pastoral leadership was hoped for by those who attended. While it is true that all the people of a parish are its “living stones” (1 Peter 2:4-5), everyone shared their understanding that the pastor plays an important role in shepherding others in such a way as to build up the Catholic faith for today and future generations.
In an address given by Pope Benedict XVI to a Pastoral Convention of the Diocese of Rome, his words resonated with the importance of the pastoral qualities named above through the voices of the people of St. Mary: shepherding, collaboration, and presence. At one point, in speaking directly to the priests, Pope Benedict said:
[Lay people] must no longer be viewed as “collaborators” of the clergy but truly recognized as “co-responsible”, for the Church’s being and action, thereby fostering the consolidation of a mature and committed laity. This common awareness of being Church of all the baptized in no way diminishes the responsibility of parish priests. It is precisely your task, dear parish priests, to nurture the spiritual and apostolic growth of those who are already committed to working hard in the parishes. They form the core of the community that will act as a leaven for the others. (Pope Benedict XVI, 2009).
Twelve years later, Pope Francis expressed a similar sentiment of the relationship of parish priests with their flock as he expressed his hope for the current synod, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission”:
The Pastors, established by God as “authentic guardians, interpreters and witnesses of the faith of the whole Church,” should not be afraid to listen to the Flock entrusted to them…. It is in the fruitful bond between the sensus fidei of the People of God and the magisterial function of the Pastors that the unanimous consensus of the whole Church in the same faith is realized (Pope Francis, Synod 2023 Preparatory Document, 2021).
Both popes are stating the important relationship between parish leadership and the People of God whom they shepherd. It’s a relationship defined and modeled by Jesus Christ: one of servant leadership, listening and guiding, loving and teaching.
Listed below are the various comments from the Listening Sessions on “leadership.” Some comments will be repeated and appear under multiple themes.
Create a church identity
Great pool of community that can’t wait to get back involved, waiting for YOU as great shepherd to lead
Opportunity to rebuild and institute new programs. Parishioners are looking for strong, inspired leadership to teach structure of the faith and to define new faith directions.
People are open and excited to bring positive change and support Fr. Scott. We are ready to follow a strong leader. We care.
He can energize the community
We need a great leader because we need more involvement for future growth
Looking for strong leadership and shepherd
The community has been deprived of attention, pastoral leadership and energy
The parish needs someone approachable
This is a brand new slate to make your mark, get people and kids excited!
You have an opportunity to make the parish and school go from good to great
Encouragement by pastor to attend events
Stable financially and strong staff
Accountability across administration
Active, relatable, engaged clergy
Attention to detail matters. What you communicate and how and quality matters!
Be an engaged pastor, which you’ve already demonstrated in the short time here
Bring more sisters back
Want to see Fr. Scott out in the community
Different call to action in parish
Don’t do something simply because it’s fashionable.
Excited to have him and his energy
Fr. Scott – you are a very welcomed shepherd
Fr. Scott = sense of humor, outgoing
Fr. Scott brings a positive attitude and this is “catchy” and will be explosive.
Fr. Scott is present in the community (CYO events, sports events, etc.)
Fr. Scott is very able to make this parish to his liking. To mold it and bring others back to church.
Fr. Scott needs to listen to all age groups
Get a copy of Pierre Mignard’s “St Charles Borromeo Ministries to the Plague Victims”
Happy Fr. Scott is visible.
History of parishioner leadership
Direct invitation from priest for where the need is and direct invitation from parishioner to parishioner.
I love the idea of listening sessions
It’s his job!
Just FYI, the abortion mills were open when churches were closed during COVID
Let priests be priests and have administrators to run the business end
Bring back JOY into parish life (smile, proclaim the Living Word of God, uplifting music
More involved in decision-making or more transparency on why decisions are made
More transparency
More vocations – we don’t know religious sisters anymore.
Need our foundation be to be strengthened
Pastor who likes to teach with his homilies
Pastor=Leadership
Pastoral minister needed – paid part time (find out community needs – not just parish)
People are excited with Fr. Scott’s openness, and this will grow within the community.
More support with school fundraising activities
Pastor involved in school and can relate with kids
Separate ourselves from secular ideas and government rule (ie not mandating masks for COVID)
Since 2003, very different leadership styles and the big disappointment of Fr. Kalista’s departure and what occurred.
Spiritual director program
Stand for conservative Christian Catholic values and don’t cave to the in-crowd
Strong leaders
The administrator/pastor manage only ONE parish – St. Mary
The history of this parish parallels the personality of the parish minister (in evangelization)
The school and church have gone through many changes with pastors and principals
Very good staff – Fr. Spisak, the deacons, and the rest.
Deacons more welcoming and committee heads, as well.
We applaud your efforts to hear from the parishioners. This was a great exercise!
We are open to your ideas – and you are open to hearing our ideas!
We didn’t have a shepherd for awhile and we are happy to have one!
We hear you make beer. We like beer!!!
We know that we, as parishioners, need to seek but we are looking for a leader.
We love that you are doing this tonight!!!! Thank you!
We need a pastor as the shepherd has sheep! We want to receive the truth you can teach us.
Where are the saints who risked their lives for Christ? Eucharist is more important than anything.
Would like our pastor to be able to be more involved with priestly affairs than with financial/business matters
Would like to have someone designated to provide spiritual guidance. Priest is too busy – can’t be done at time of confession. Can there be a person to call or email or meet to ask questions for guidance? Is it appropriate to ask the priest at the time of confession?
Fr. Scott is very gifted in engaging the youth. It would be great if he could somehow be a part of LifeTeen, maybe by being a part of the Life Nights sometimes.
To know where you’re going, you need to know where you’ve been
Your involvement is great.
Older population is more committed to your success
Focus on real needs
Know community
Your enthusiasm will be contagious to grow the church forward. You should be excited!
Actively visit the children’s rooms at school. I loved when our pastor would come into our classroom – teachers respect