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A priests
reality report
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
Priests are most conscious of what we
refer to as “the clergy shortage.” We have talked about it for years.
Back in 1998, following an extensive series of deanery-level meetings
involving both priests and laity, a working “Plan for the Future
Configuration of Parish Ministry and Staff” was issued.
That plan anticipated that by the year
2010, we would have 65 parishes (two new parishes having been
established in the Carmel Deanery) and that 52 priests would be
available to staff those parishes. It was estimated that six priests
would be assigned to the seven parishes in the Anderson Deanery; 12
priests to the 11 parishes in the Carmel Deanery; six priests to the 12
parishes in the Fowler Deanery; 10 priests to the 10 parishes in the
Lafayette Deanery; 11 priests to the 15 parishes in the Logansport
Deanery; and seven to the 10 parishes in the Muncie Deanery. In total,
it was estimated that 47 out of our anticipated 65 parishes would be
clustered in one form or the other by the year 2010.
Since that 1998 report, St. Elizabeth
Parish, Lucerne, has closed while one, rather than two, new parishes
have been founded in the Carmel Deanery (St. John Vianney). Currently
then, we have 63 parish communities rather than the 65 anticipated in
1998.
The 1998 report was off on the estimate
of the number of priests available to staff our parishes as well.
Instead of 52 priests, we now have 63.
In 1998, we had five seminarians. As of
this date, 19 men are in seminary formation. That number is expected to
increase by the beginning of the fall semester. At one point during the
current academic year, we had 22 seminarians. Dennis Faker, one of the
22, was ordained a priest June 7, while two men withdrew from the
program.
The Dominican Fathers arrived to staff
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in West Lafayette in 2000. They currently are
providing four priests. That was not envisioned back in 1998. Meanwhile,
last year, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood found it necessary to
end their staffing of St. Peter Parish in Winamac.
During the consultation back in 1998,
some folks suggested priests might be brought from other countries. In
2004, the first priests from Africa took up residence in our Local
Church. Father Brendan Mbagwu now serves at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Parish in Carmel, while Father Thomas Obiatuegwu is part of the pastoral
team in Kokomo. Since then, Father Raymond Akeriwe has become part of
the ordained staff at St. Alphonsus Parish in Zionsville, while Father
Cajetan Ebuziem is part of the pastoral care department at St. Elizabeth
Medical Center in Lafayette. Meanwhile, Father Gustavo Lopez, a Mexican
national, is serving at St. Boniface Parish in Lafayette.
Since the 1998 plan was issued, I have
ordained 10 diocesan priests. Twenty-one of our priests have died.
Meanwhile, priests continue to age. And,
retirements for reasons of health are a reality that is inescapable.
Even as I was ordaining Dennis Faker to the priesthood, it was necessary
to grant retirement status to three priests: Father Edward Dhondt will
“retire” Sept. 1 of this year; Father Douglas McCormack and Father Don
Eder will join the ranks of the retired on July 1. The “retired” list
now numbers some 25 priests. Those granted retirement status who are
able to do so continue to provide ministry, of course. They are, in
fact, outstanding in making themselves available to assist their brother
priests who otherwise would be unable to take time away for themselves
and in providing coverage in emergency situations. High on the list of
those doing so is Msgr. Fred Potthoff at age 89.
Since 1998, St. John Vianney Parish
(Fishers) has been started and St. Maria Goretti Parish in Westfield has
become an independent parish. It had been a mission of Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel. St. Maria Goretti now lists 1,294 households/4,537 people. Our
Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish lists 3,200 households/11,130 people, while
Holy Spirit at Geist lists 2,549 households/8,802 people. St. Louis de
Montfort (Fishers) reports in with 1,400 households, Our Lady of Grace
(Noblesville) with 1,668 households and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (Carmel)
with 1,788 households. All of these parishes are part of the Carmel
Deanery, the high-growth area of our Local Church.
The reality of the priest pinch has now
hit the city of Lafayette. The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate
Conception will now share a pastor (Father Dan Gartland) with St.
Lawrence Parish. Together, the two parishes have 10 Masses on weekends.
This past year between them they listed 105 infant baptisms, 135 first
Communions, 61 weddings and 60 deaths. Initially, this will require a
combined staff of four priests. The parishes in Attica and Covington,
part of the Lafayette Deanery, have been clustered for several years.
Come Sept. 1, the Anderson Deanery will
be staffed by four priests, three of whom will pastor two parishes
apiece: Father Bob Williams will serve as pastor of the two parishes in
Anderson, while Father Paul Cochran will continue as pastor of St. Mary
Parish in Alexandria and St. Joseph Parish in Elwood. Father Richard
Weisenberger will continue as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Marion and
Holy Family Parish in Gas City.
One priest, Father David Newton, has
responsibility for three faith communities in the Muncie Deanery: St.
Mary in Dunkirk, St. John the Evangelist, Hartford City, and St.
Margaret in Montpelier. St. Mary Parish in Union City and St. Joseph
Parish in Winchester have been clustered for several years. Father
Michael McKinley is their pastor.
In the Fowler Deanery, Father Don Gross
is pastor of Sacred Heart, Fowler, and St. Mary Parish, Dunnington,
while Father Rob Bernotas shepherds three parishes: Earl Park, Goodland
and Kentland.
The Logansport Deanery has clusters as
well. Father Bert Woolson is pastor of three parishes: Kewanna, Monterey
and Rochester. Plans call for one priest to pastor
Francesville-Medaryville, Pulaski and Winamac.
Sixteen of our parishes do not have a
resident priest. Given the size of some of them, it is unlikely they
will ever have a resident priest again. Others, hopefully, will.
Obviously, pastors have to set
priorities. If a priest is pastor of a large parish or several parishes,
he cannot attend every meeting, lock and unlock every building, or be as
readily available as some parishioners might expect. A reality, too, is
the time a priest needs for silent reflection. Time is needed to read
and pray. Homilies must be prepared. Decisions require broad-based
consultation. The resultant need for meetings generates time management
challenges. Funerals absorb a significant block of time and energy.
Obvious to mid-pew Catholics or not, with rare exception priests have
very full days. Meanwhile, roles once expected of priests are now filled
by laity. Most people understand and accept this. Some are less
understanding.
The point is that times have changed. The
future anticipated in 1998 has become the present. It is likely the
challenges will intensify before they bottom out and the promising men
in the seminary are ready for ordination. This requires adjustment on
the part of both laity and priests. A person can only do what can be
done in any 24-hour time span. Expectations have to be modified by
realities.
Much of what we as priests once busied
ourselves with, in fact, was outside what we were called to be and do in
our ordination. Increased responsibilities have meant we are no longer
able to cover bases we once enthusiastically embraced. Not to panic. The
ministry provided by the laity is more effective than our own in many
situations. Parishes, in many cases, are more dynamic than ever. Yet,
there is tension. People expect a visit from their priest if they are
homebound or hospitalized, even when there is a priest hospital
chaplain. Priests are still expected by some to make an appearance at
every parish event and on special family occasions. If there is a
personality conflict with the priest assigned to “their” parish, some
demand that he be replaced.
Thank God most understand the challenge
is to rejoice in the fact there is a priest and to find a way to make
things work in the reality of the moment.
Something to pray about! |
