1. Why did Bishop John Kinney develop the Strategic Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of St. Cloud?

Bishop Kinney asked that a plan be developed to prepare the Diocese of St. Cloud and its parishes to best meet the needs of the Catholic faithful during the next 10 years.

2. What were the key considerations in the development of this plan?

Key considerations have included the recent decline in the number of priests; population shifts in the rural areas and growth in urban areas; the availability of priests, religious, deacons and lay people to serve in parish ministry in the next 10 years; and the changing needs and desires of people in our parishes today.

3. When does the plan go into effect?

The plan proposes models for parish ministry "to the year 2010 and beyond." It will be implemented gradually as pastoral assignments are made each year. Parishes are encouraged to begin identifying ways to work together if this is recommended in the plans for their parish.

4. Are there some parishes that will be involved with the plan sooner than others?

Yes, in those parishes where there will be a change in pastors this July, the planning recommendations will be initially considered by the pastors and leadership of those parishes involved.

5. How will other parishes begin to implement the plan?

Parishioners are encouraged to visit with their pastor or contact the diocesan Planning Office (320-251-2340) to identify parish planning opportunities and time frames.

6. What happens in the future beyond 2010?

The St. Cloud Diocese will continue to plan and prepare for the future of the church. Obviously, this first 10-year plan involved a comprehensive process and many parish considerations that have only surfaced in the past year or two. Future plans will build on this first experience and its initial implementation. It should be stressed that this is a plan and not a blueprint. The Holy Spirit will guide us in new directions as these recommendations are considered.

Source: St. Cloud diocesan Planning Office