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Developing plan took skill, prayer
By LINDA M. LINONIS
youngstown
The task was daunting:
Understand and appreciate reams of profile information on the 113 parishes in the Diocese of Youngstown that covers the six counties of Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull and some 3,404 square miles.
Take into account urban, suburban, small town and rural situations.
Be sensitive to diverse ethnic groups.
Monsignor John Zuraw, as vicar for administration, led the diocesan plan for parish reconfiguration. He brought administrative experience, knowledge of priests through his work as director of clergy services and understanding of the role of prayer in the process.
His work began in the fall of 2008 when the pastoral planning process began with self-evaluation forms that each parish completed. It came to a conclusion May 28 of this year when Bishop George V. Murry had a press conference to announce the plan. That plan, mostly intact, had been presented Feb. 24 to the deaneries of the diocese.
“The plan is pretty secure,” Monsignor Zuraw said. “As it is implemented, the diocese as a whole will benefit.”
He said the study amassed information on demographics, clergy and expectations of Catholics. “The strengths, weaknesses and personalities played a part,” he said.
Because of his work with the Diocesan Priests’ Council and Priests’ Personnel Board and as director of clergy services, Monsignor Zuraw had insight about the 96 priests in the diocese. “I knew who was out there,” he said. "I had experience working with clergy and insight into parishes.”
All the data and personal input from clergy led to the determining what churches would be single units, who would form collaborative units and who would merge. Monsignor Zuraw also attended a conference on this topic and talked with others who had gone through it.
“Pastoral planning differs from strategic planning. In the diocese, we are about praying and thinking together about the actions of the people in a specific time and place,” Monsignor Zuraw said. He added it would be nice to look back in 50 years and see that the pastoral planning process worked.
Monsignor Zuraw said the changes that the diocese must make are no different than those being made in city, though prayer is part of the diocese process. “The city is making changes in a positive direction and the church has to catch up.
“We have to note the importance of the past so that our future will be stronger,” he said. “This was a big challenge for me and not easy for the diocese.” But, he added, he felt that the process was “open” and parishes had ample opportunity to provide information and be part of the decision process.
Monsignor Zuraw said the reams of information from the parishes yielded some surprises. “The younger generations ... X ... Y .... have a different faith experience,” he said, noting that Sept. 11 and ongoing wars are part of influences. “They want to put their faith into action ... volunteering in a soup kitchen or helping at a homeless shelter. They want to make a difference.”
For young people, Monsignor Zuraw said, “Prayer and service go hand in hand.”
But, he noted, that doesn’t mean other age groups don’t share some of the same feelings. He said older church members, the 70- and 80-somethings, and younger members share “a common desire for authentic church leadership.”
Both age groups, he said, seek “wisdom figures who are able to help them on their spiritual journey.”
Monsignor Zuraw said the middle-age group, maybe from 40s into 50s, was affected by Vatican Council II. He said how to catechize and teach this group was a challenge because new rules and regulations were confusing to them.
Monsignor Zuraw said the people of God came from these different faith experiences and age groups and their input into the reconfiguration process was vital. “The diocese was grateful for how they were active participants in the process,” he said.
Monsignor Zuraw became pastor of St. Rose Church in Girard on July 5 and is director of the Permanent Diaconate. St. Rose and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in McDonald will be a collaborative unit. He is former vicar for administration and executive director of clergy services.