Pastoral Plan

 “For you always have the poor with you...” Matt 26.11

We heard Jesus express this to his Apostles in Matt’s gospel only a few weeks ago.  The phrase is as true for us today, as it was then. We know everywhere around us there are many who go without or have to make difficult choices about what basic necessities they can afford. Living through a global pandemic has only highlighted the needs of those who are vulnerable.  If the poor are always with us, then as followers of Christ today we must always seek ways to help those in need.  When Archbishop Dunn moved to Halifax, he was struck by the number of poor and vulnerable he came across as he walked down the street. Moved by this new-to-him experience he reflected on what he could do, and what we as a people faith could do.

In January Archbishop Dunn shared with the faithful four pastoral priorities that he asks us all to focus on this year.  The four priorities are Evangelization, Homelessness, Parish Identity, and Catechetics.  From many these are familiar terms, for others the words may be new.  What is also important is to know what is meant by each of these words.

Last week, Archbishop Dunn sent a letter to all clergy sharing the areas he is asking all the faithful to focus on this year.  They are:  

Today Archbishop Mancini releases the new document titled: New Parishes: Stronger Together. This is the next phase of our three year diocesan pastoral plan, Equip the Saints. As part of this document, the Archbishop has included a letter that sets the context for our next steps. The letter dated January 1, 2019 – Feast of Mary the Mother of God, begins:

In 2017 Archbishop Mancini initiated Equip the Saints a three year pastoral plan for the renewal of our diocese. Part of that plan calls for a reorganization of parishes through the New Parishes: Stronger Together process. In January 2019 our diocese will move from consultation to implementation of New Parishes: Stronger Together. This plan calls for the merger of 65 existing parishes and 25 missions into 19 new parishes plus the cathedral. On January 1, the bishop will announce the groups of parishes who will be asked to work toward merger throughout the course of 2019.