Beacons of Light

In the fall of 2020, Archbishop Schnurr announced Beacons of Light, a multi-year process of strategic and pastoral planning, to all diocesan pastors.  The strategic planning element will lead to a recommended number of parish groupings that will collaborate together as one faith community, while the pastoral planning will help guide the vitality of parish life for the future.  Parish groupings will be called “Families of Parishes” of which there will be 65-75 throughout the diocese. Their goal is to be stronger together, focused more on mission than on maintenance.
 
Archbishop Schnurr has affirmed six guiding principles that will be the foundation of the pastoral planning process:
 
1. Eucharist – Mass is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. It is the essential moment for building up and strengthening the parish community, along with sacraments and other celebrations of the paschal mystery.
2. Church – Each of us is called to actively participate as a member of the parish, our local Church and our Universal Church.
3. Leadership – Pastors, deacons and lay ministers share responsibility for pastoral leadership.  The spiritual, physical and mental health of ordained and lay leaders is vital for Families of Parishes.
4. Stewardship – Families of Parishes are communities of grateful disciples recognizing God’s gifts, using their talent, skills and resources to build up the Church and live as Christ’s body in the world.
5. Evangelization – As centers of missionary outreach, Families of Parishes will find ways to foster discipleship among the baptized.  Schools, religious education and faith formation are centers of this essential work.
6. Love in Action – Families of Parishes will be communities of charity and justice, serving those most in need and working to change systems that oppress and marginalize.
 
We will continue to keep you informed as we lead up to the rollout in the summer of 2022.  For more information, please click here.