Background

One of the priorities identified in the diocesan pastoral plan, Come to the Light, was the need to create a plan for the future in regard to the equitable distribution of priests. The plan is meant to insure that our Catholic people throughout the diocese will have access to sacramental ministry in the future.

The Ad Hoc Committee charged with creating a process to assess equitable distribution comes from the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. That group is chaired by Fr. Gary Reller, Vicar for Priests and includes Fr. Ed Hislop and Dan Doyle, Diocesan Pastoral Council, with Sister Rita McGinnis as staff to this group. Living Stones is the process and will involve wide-based consultation in the formulation of a plan, as was the case with the diocesan pastoral planning process.

Living Stones is currently being undertaken to address the “equitable distribution of priest personnel” within the Diocese of Helena for the years to come. The ultimate goal of the study is “to form realistic strategies by collaborating with parishes and regions to plan in light of the numbers of ordained priests who will be available to serve*” in the future.

Parishioners have an opportunity to give input to this process through two parish meetings, which will take place through the fall and winter of 2009. All parishioners are invited and encouraged to be a part of this important work. Individuals parishes will publicize the meeting times and locations for their parish.

*from Come to the Light – Diocesan Pastoral Plan