In 2020, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary consulted with St. Cloud diocesan leaders to plan and seek a $1.2 million Thriving Congregations grant from the Lilly Endowment. The grant was awarded in Sept. 2020. One of the goals for the Thriving initiative was to build bridges between parishes in each Area Catholic Community to strengthen the ACC for the mission of pastoral planning. Barbara Sutton, who leads the work of the “Bridge-builders for a Thriving Mission” grant, shares what she witnessed through a series of Pastoral Visits with teams from each of the 29 ACCs.
In an effort to nurture relationships between the diocesan bishop, diocesan staff and Area Catholic Community pastoral leadership, the idea for Pastoral Visits was born. ACCs were invited to create teams of eight to 10 people to join Holy Cross Bishop Patrick Neary for a daylong visit at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud. Each ACC was asked to present information. The day also included Mass and lunch.
Originally, Pastoral Visits were meant to begin in 2021 but were curbed by the COVID pandemic. While waiting for a new bishop, learning communities were developed and synodal listening sessions were held. In 2023, I approached Bishop Neary and diocesan leaders with a proposal for Pastoral Visits. The core strategy was relationship building, listening and discernment.
With a team of diocesan leaders, ACC Care Teams (pairs of diocesan staff assigned to an ACC to act as liaisons) were formed for their role in preparing for the visits. The Thriving team consulted with priests at deanery meetings and the Presbyteral Council. An evaluation process was established which included notetaking, feedback from participants and debriefing with diocesan leadership after each visit.
Bishop Neary accepted this proposal so that he could hear from the ACCs and observe their realities before implementing next steps in the pastoral planning process. The visits took place each month from November 2023 to July 2024, with three to four ACCs participating each month.
Each ACC was asked to prepare a presentation for the bishop about their ACC, asking questions such as “Who are you as an ACC?” and “What is your biggest struggle in the ACC?” and “What are your priorities in building a cohesive and unified mission?”
Drawing from the feedback received, I believe a need was met — to provide connectivity between parishes in each ACC, and between ACCs, Bishop Neary and diocesan staff. There was strength in numbers and yet people tacitly acknowledged they did not have all the answers. People recognized the value of innovation that comes from different viewpoints and contexts. Listening to one another in small groups was a spiritual journey for many.
Notably, a few people quipped that “The diocese has all the data for planning. Why are we here?” During 2022-23, synodal listening sessions revealed that our current arrangements, practices and relations were draining people of goodwill, energy and/or giving rise to significant stress and strain. The Pastoral Visits were developed so that bridge building within the parishes of an ACC would be a starting point. Pastors, parish staff and involved parishioners journeyed to St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud where they listened to others, sharing both similarities and differences they are facing.
Understanding the data, strengths and challenges provided a shared story. We need God’s help in order to recognize what is possible, particularly when attempting to manage complex systems such as our ACCs and diocesan structures that strive to be relevant as the Church seeks the promise of stability so as to strengthen our will for mission.
To read the full report on the Pastoral Visits, visit stcdio.org/planning.
Amy Hoeschen
Administrator, Tri-Parish ACC
Immaculate Conception, New Munich; Sacred Heart, Freeport; St. Rose of Lima, St. Rosa
As the One in Faith ACC began the process for the presentation to Bishop Patrick and the diocese it was wonderful to see how the different members on the ACC Pastoral Council conversed and worked together. They found it very important to hear from the parishioners at large. They chose to do a survey of the parishioners. Once they gathered the information from the surveys that went out they discussed different ways to fulfill the desires of the parishioners. It is wonderful to see a group of individuals who work to bring the people of God together for the good of all. Since the presentation, different faith opportunities have been offered for Adult formation at some of the different churches of our ACC attended by people from the ACC and beyond.
Michelle Friederichs
Pastoral Council representative, Harvest of Hope ACC
St. Anthony, St. Anthony; St. Benedict, Avon; St. Martin, St. Martin; Seven Dolors, Albany
Visiting with Bishop Neary and the other ACCs was a great experience. I am proud to be part of a strong ACC, and I enjoyed hearing of the challenges and successes of other communities. I left the session feeling that each ACC had taken different paths to create rich communities where people can experience God’s love individually and together. Our hearts were all in a place of humility, love and hope.
Father Rick Aubol
Parochial vicar, Mary Mother of the Church ACC
St. Joseph, Bertha; St. Hubert, Blue Grass; St. John the Baptist, Bluffton; Assumption of Our Lady , Menahga; St. Michael, Motley; Sacred Heart, Staples; St. Frederick, Verndale; St. Ann, Wadena
My favorite part was seeing people from other ACCsn meet each other. It’s interesting to see how we are blessed with different gifts and how many of us have similar challenges. We can learn a lot from each other in sharing how we face them.
Joseph Maier
ACC Council Chair, Together as One ACC
St. Michael, St Peter and St. Paul (all in St. Cloud), St. Joseph, Waite Park
It was good hearing from the other ACCs. Some are doing better, and some are struggling. I am so impressed with the bishop being an intent listener, really hearing and taking in what people say when they are talking with him. I further believe the Holy Spirit is already working in him and formulating a plan to move forward but he will not finalize that plan until after he has heard from all the ACCs, pastors and lay leaders. I met new people within the diocese and got a chance to talk with them about their successes and struggles. We all have lots of work to do!
Bringing people to Christ is not easy work but it can be simplified by bringing more people along to help. I also got a chance to talk a bit more with some of the diocesan team. It is always great to be around other good Catholics — for whatever reason — as iron sharpens iron.
