Dear Father / Sister / Pastoral Ministers:

As you know, in the spring of 1995, I appointed a task force committee to study future plans for the structure and staffing of parishes. Fr. Joseph Mills, vicar general for the diocese, chaired the committee comprised of the following members: Sr. Christine Beckett, Tom Buehrle, Sr. Annalita Lancaster, Rose Ann Payne, Fr. Paul Powell, Melinda Prunty, Jim Scott, and Fr. John Vaughan. Cathy Hagan, administrative assistant in the diocesan stewardship office, served as the executive secretary for this committee. Paula Stallings, Paula Duke, Jack Gerbic, and Fr. Richard Meredith also served on the committee for a period of time.

The process was such that the task force committee first drew up a suggested plan for structure and staffing and then consulted with the Priests’ Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council for their input. In both cases, the draft of the plan was taken on to deaneries and parishes for discussion. Suggestions for changes were made and the draft was returned to the task force committee.

The task force reworked the plan and after almost three years of study and this wide consultation process, they completed their work on October 30, 1997. They then submitted their proposal to the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the Priests’ Council and asked for a recommendation from them. At their meeting on January 20, 1998, the Diocesan Pastoral Council accepted the plan and recommended that it be published and distributed. At their meeting on February 16, 1998, the Priests’ Council also accepted the plan as presented by the task force and recommended that it be published and distributed with a cover letter from the bishop. Subsequently, I have accepted the plan as you find enclosed, effective immediately, and it is my hope that this will serve as a basis for future decisions made by the bishop. I am aware that circumstances do change and as we implement the plan in the years to come, such changes certainly will be taken into consideration at the time of the implementation. As circumstances force decisions, we will use this plan as our starting point in any decisions that are to be made.

I am deeply grateful to the committee and to all who have taken the time to study and assist us in developing the plan. Many thanks to all who have made this possible.

Wishing you God’s blessings, I remain

Sincerely in Christ,