Set Ablaze in Divine Mercy Pastorate

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Summary of JP2 Townhall

Review of Historical Data: The Bishop wrote a letter to all parishioners of the Pastorate to provide the history of how the St. John Paul II parish was founded and potential next steps forward.

Need for Clarity and a Path Forward: The primary objective of the meeting was to address parishioner concerns and provide a clear list of steps and milestones that need to occur in order for St. John Paul II parish to move forward with permanent facilities.

Financial Challenges and Feasibility Study: A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the financial realities of building and sustaining a parish. The Bishop emphasized the importance of a thorough feasibility study encompassing data analysis, a compelling proposal, and demonstrable financial capacity to keep up with the ongoing needs of the parish.

Parish Boundaries and Collaboration within the Pastorate: The meeting touched upon the complexities of parish boundaries in a growing community and the need to engage with neighboring parishes (St. Mary's and Christ the King) to ensure collaborative efforts and resource allocation within the pastorate.

Key Takeaways

Acknowledgment of Past Uncertainty and Hardship: Both Father Paul and Bishop DeGrood acknowledged the frustration and uncertainty experienced by parishioners due to the prolonged process and lack of clear direction and offered apologies for those frustrations.

Emphasis on Collaboration and Shared Resources: The Bishop underscored the importance of parishes working together, sharing resources, and aligning efforts to maximize impact within the constraints of limited resources and clergy availability.

Realistic Assessment of Financial Capacity: While acknowledging the desire for a church building, both the Bishop and Father Paul emphasized the need for a realistic assessment of financial capacity, urging parishioners to consider not just construction costs but also ongoing operational expenses.

Commitment to Moving Forward: Despite the challenges, both Father Paul and the Bishop expressed a strong commitment to moving the process forward, emphasizing the need for continued dialogue, discernment, and collaboration with the parish community, diocese, and pastorate leadership.

Important Quotes

Bishop DeGrood on the Need for Clarity: "We're here today because... we need to be very, very attentive to the community of John Paul II and we need to provide clarity."

Bishop DeGrood on Feasibility Studies: "Effective feasibility studies include a thorough data analysis, a compelling proposal to fulfill needs, and donations and commitments to fully support the ministries, the operational costs, and the facilities."

Father Paul on Community Investment: "My desire would be that the whole parish would be invested. So if that is bake sales, if that is the twenty dollars... it's all important."

Parishioner on the Need for Action: "I've seen people come and go and they just complain… The only thing I've seen in progress, since I've been here, to be honest with you, is a cross on a piece of land."

Father Paul on Letting Go of Personal Preferences: "You can't build [a church] for what you want… You have to ask God, what is it that he wants?"

Next Steps

Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study as outlined by Bishop DeGrood.

Engage in open and honest conversations with St. Mary's and Christ the King parishes.

Explore creative fundraising initiatives and a capital campaign to encourage broader community participation.

Continue to update and communicate transparently with parishioners of the pastorate throughout the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why hasn't there been more clarity on what has been happening for St. John Paul II?

Bishop DeGrood wrote a letter to the Parish of St. John Paul II and the entire Divine Mercy Pastorate providing more clarity on the history of St. John Paul II and laid out steps on how we can move forward together. This letter was mailed to parishioners' homes and emailed to you.

2. Why can't we build a church that meets the needs of just St. John Paul II Parish and not be concerned with the needs of the rest of the pastorate?

Since the implementation of Set Ablaze, the way that a parish functions has changed. We must think of the pastorate as a whole that is serving the people of God within our boundaries in order to help us flourish in the future.

3. What is the current status of the land for the St. John Paul II church building?

The land where the cross and parish signs are located is currently owned by the diocese. St. John Paul II Parish has not yet purchased it due to changing circumstances and they need to demonstrate financial capacity before proceeding.

4. Why haven't there been more fundraising efforts for the church building?

While there hasn't been an official capital campaign, the parish leadership acknowledges the desire for more fundraising opportunities. Fr. Rutten expressed that we must think outside the box in order for these facilities to be build so we plan to explore various ways for parishioners to contribute their time, talents, and financial resources in the coming year.

5. Can the parish build a smaller, temporary structure on the land while fundraising continues for the larger church?

Diocesan guidelines and the current realities of church building make constructing a small, temporary structure impractical. The focus is on developing a comprehensive plan for a permanent church that can accommodate current and future needs. According to diocesan policy, a church must be able to seat a minimum of 1000 people.

6. Will the feasibility study consider parish boundaries and the potential for growth from individuals who currently attend other parishes?

Yes, the feasibility study will examine parish boundaries and explore ways to engage individuals who live within the boundaries but currently attend other parishes.

7. Why isn't Holy Spirit Parish, which many St. John Paul II parishioners came from, part of this pastorate?

While initially considered, feedback from parishioners, including those from St. John Paul II, indicated a preference for not reconnecting with their former parishes. The diocese ultimately respected this feedback when determining pastorate structures.

8. Given past challenges, who will bear the cost of the new feasibility study?

The diocese has offered to cover the cost of the feasibility study, recognizing the financial burden a new study might place on the parish.

9. If the feasibility study identifies a different location as more suitable, what will happen to the land currently marked for the church?

If a new location is deemed more suitable, the diocese, in consultation with the parish and financial council, will determine the best course of action for the current property.

10. What are the next steps in the process of building a church for St. John Paul II Parish?

The immediate next step is conducting a comprehensive feasibility study. This study will involved data analysis, developing a compelling case for support, and engaging the broader community, including the pastorate's other parishes, in conversation and potential fundraising efforts.