Follow Up Communication re: Listening Sessions
Dear Friends:
In April, we reported on our findings from the five listening sessions conducted in January and February. As I noted then, while we have much to be thankful for and that we are doing many things well, we clearly heard from participants that we have some issues we must address to ensure we meet the needs and expectations of our diverse membership.
In conjunction with Pastoral Council, we have identified prominent concerns that surfaced from the sessions:
Ministries: music, faith formation/spiritual growth, outreach to students/faculty and staff, social justice, inclusion
Communication: need for consistent communication re: key topics/functions (i.e. parish finances, lay leadership/committees, upcoming activities, new programs/initiatives, volunteer opportunities)
Student/Permanent Community: relationships/interaction, separation of communities, Catholic thought, expression, and direction
Parish Administration: decision making/managing change, finances/sustainability, lay council functions
As I mentioned in my recent report to the parish, the categories and issues noted above are not comprehensive of everything shared during the sessions. However, they give us a starting point to address and manage your questions and concerns more efficiently. I want to report that we have already moved forward to address some of these areas.
Specific to music ministry: Ben Tittl will continue leading the music–primarily at the 11 a.m. Mass—as he completes his undergraduate study at BGSU for the next four years. Drew Smith will lead the music at the 6 p.m. Mass and Kelly Nester will lead most of the 4:30 p.m. Masses, while helping with weddings, funerals, and Holy Day Masses.
In response to the need for more consistent, transparent communication: our website has been updated with detailed landing pages for Pastoral and Finance Council, including membership, minutes, and statutes; and our parish and Living Christ financial updates will be published in the bulletin on a quarterly basis (July, October, January, & April).
As a next step, there will be an opportunity for additional community input and direction. We will host one or more extended, in-person presentation and discussion sessions about the listening session findings and follow-up plans.
Parish members wishing to participate should contact our Pastoral Council president, Mark Tooman by email or phone. The presentation will be scheduled based on the amount of response we receive. Please contact Mark at mctooman@buckeye-access.com or (419) 360-0702.
I appreciate the input we have received and the dedication our parishioners have demonstrated to help us advance our mission to help Corpus Christi University Parish be a community of faith which promotes the spiritual, intellectual, and moral development of all its members.
In faith and Christ,
Fr. Jeremy Miller