Priests discuss interparish subsidy policy, set date for next Festival of Forgiveness

A task force comprised of principals, pastors and Catholic school parents will be appointed to explore possible changes to the current interparish subsidy policy for Catholic schools in the Diocese of St. Cloud.

The diocesan Presbyteral Council supported the formation of the task force after discussing the current interparish subsidy policy and a new proposal at its Sept. 19 meeting at the Chancery in St. Cloud.

Linda Kaiser, director of Catholic Education Ministries, said changes in Catholic education over the last 20 years, rising costs, and conversations she has had with some pastors and principals point to a need to consider a new policy.

Under the current interparish subsidy policy written in 1996, parishes are asked to pay the difference between the cost of tuition and the actual per-pupil costs for their students who attend a Catholic school sponsored by another parish or parishes. This can be challenging for some parishes, Kaiser said.

The goal of a new policy would be to serve parishes better and make Catholic education as affordable and accessible as possible to families who face challenges in paying tuition, including the growing Latino/Hispanic population.

A new policy should also be consistent with Bishop Donald Kettler’s vision that every parish have a Catholic school it supports, even if the school is not located on the parish campus, she said.

Presbyteral Council members discussed the benefits and challenges to parishes and schools of changing the policy, as well as the possibility of gradually phasing in a new funding structure.

Kaiser said she will search for possible task force members and report back to the council, which is comprised of priest representatives from around the diocese and serves in a consultative role to the bishop.

In other news, council members:

  • voted to hold another “Festival of Forgiveness” on Friday, March 2. It will be the third year that designated parishes around the diocese will offer the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent for a 12-hour period.
  • had a discussion about the current pastoral planning initiative in the diocese in light of an expected decline in the number of active priests between 2020 and 2030. Three meetings to garner priests’ input were held in the summer; a workshop at Diocesan Ministry Day will seek further input for a plan.
  • listened to an update about the Diocesan V Encuentro gathering Sept. 24 and Diocesan Ministry Day Sept. 25. Nearly 400 people have registered to attend the Encuentro event, and about 775 are slated to attend Diocesan Ministry Day.
  • had a discussion about stewardship and heard a report from Father Gregory Paffel about “Jesus Heals,” a ministry to those who desire inner healing. For more information about the ministry, visit  www.jesusheals-scd.org.

Author: The Visitor

The Visitor is the official newpaper for the Diocese of Saint Cloud.

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