Bishop George Fitzsimons officially published the final version of the Mission Statement and the Diocesan Goals and Objectives for the Salina Diocese in August of 1993.  Although only a few pages in length, these goals and objectives were the result of a process that lasted for over two years and involved much consultation with the laity, religious and clergy of our Diocese.

     As we re-examine these goals and objectives, and evaluate what has been done to implement them, it would be helpful to briefly review that process and the major steps involved.

     Bishop Fitzsimons appointed Father Lawrence Grennan to moderate the process and establish the Commission for Diocesan Planning in December of 1990.  Members of the Commission were: Harold Murphy, Jane Pelletier, Donna Eisenbarth, Sr. Marilyn Wall, Sr. Helen Hake, Sr. Veronica Roy, Fr. Steve Heina, Fr. Leroy Metro, Fr. Felix Petrovsky, Fr. Dick Lutgen and Fr. Larry Grennan, as moderator.  (Fr. Charles Polifka served for a brief time on the original Committee, before other duties made that impossible.)

     The first formal meeting of the commission took place following the Chrism Mass at Victoria on March 21, 1991.  In July of that same year a day-long meeting was held at the Holidome in Salina to review all the needs of the Diocese that had been submitted by the Diocesan Pastoral Council.  At that meeting the seven priorities for our diocese were selected which served as a basis for the planning process throughout.

     Much consideration was given to hiring a director and firm from outside the Diocese to lead us through the process.  After consulting with Bannon and Associates in August of 1991, it was decided that the Planning Commission would lead the process for our Diocese with emphasis on consultation through the Vicariate meetings for the Pastoral Council and the Priests' Council and through input from the Diocesan Curia.

     In order to ascertain the best possible information with regards to the needs and priorities of our Diocese and to give everyone an opportunity to participate, it was decided to conduct a Diocesan wide survey in the spring of 1992.  Dr. William C. McCready of Survey Design and Analysis of Northern Illinois University was contracted by the Diocese to assist in the writing, administration, scoring and interpretation of the Diocesan Survey.

     The survey was given out at all Masses in the Diocese on Sunday, March 29, 1992.  Results were compiled by Dr. McCready for individual parishes as well as composite results for the entire Diocese.  A final report of the results of the Diocesan Planning Survey was presented to representatives of the Parish Councils by Dr. McCready at the Diocesan wide meeting held at St. Nicholas Parish in Hays on August 23,1992.

     Following this meeting, the Planning Commission began the process of writing the Diocesan Goals and Objectives with the results of the survey clearly in mind.  The goals and objectives were presented for input to the Priests' Vicariate, Pre-Pastoral Vicariate, Pastoral Council, and Priests' Council.  On different occasions input was also received from the Diocesan Curia.  Several revisions and adaptations were made by all parties concerned.  The final version was approved by the Priests' Council and Pastoral Council in the Spring of 1993 with the subsequent approval and publication by the Bishop in August of 1993.

     At this time the Planning Commission was disbanded.  a special appreciation dinner was hosted by Bishop Fitzsimons in Salina to express gratitude and thanks to the commission for all their hard work and effort.

     In October of 1993, with the assistance of Dr. McCready, an Executive Committee for Diocesan Planning was formed for the implementation stage of the planning process.  Bishop Fitzsimons appointed the following members to this committee:  Fr. James Hoover, representing the Priests' Council; Sr. Carolyn Juenemann, representing the Pastoral Council; Fr. Larry Grennan, representing the Planning Committee; Sr. Beth Stover, representing the Diocesan Curia and Marlene Montgomery, as member-at-large.

     It was decided at the October meeting with Dr. McCready to give priority to the goals of Evangelization and the Pastoral Care of our parishes.  These two goals have been the main focus of the Executive Committee in carrying out the implementation phase until the present time.

     In the Spring of 1994, Sr. Marilyn Wall, C.S.J. was hired on a part-time basis to assist the Executive Committee in the administration and pastoral visits necessary to implement these two goals.  She resigned from this position in August of 1995.  Fr. James Hoover, after diligent work as Chairperson of the Committee, likewise relinquished his position.  Fr. Bill Surmeier was elected by the Priests' Council to replace Fr. Hoover.  Sr. Beth Stover assumed duties as the Chairperson.

     In the Fall of 1995, the newly formed Executive Committee reaffirmed their commitment to hire full-time personnel to lead the planning process for our Diocese.  Bishop Fitzsimons gave his approval and a search was conducted to find a new Director.

     Several applications were received and the Committee interviewed a select number of candidates.  The Committee made their recommendation to the Bishop, and Bishop Fitzsimons formally appointed Sr. Doris Durant, O.S.M., as full-time Director of Planning for the Diocese on March 15, 1996.  Sr. Doris will work with the Executive Committee and the Bishop in the ongoing implementation of the goals and objectives of the Diocesan plan adopted in 1993.

     The Executive Committee on Diocesan Planning fulfilled its mission at the end of 2007.  Bishop Coakley inaugurated a new Diocesan Planning Commission on May 22, 2008.

EIGHT PRIORITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF SALINA

SPIRITUALITY AND WORSHIP

PASTORAL CARE SERVICES

VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE

EVANGELIZATION

CATECHESIS AND FAITH DEVELOPMENT

SHARED MINISTRY

STEWARDSHIP

SOCIAL JUSTICE

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

From original selection in July, 1991, updated in September, 1996 and final revision 11-28-2006.

SPIRITUALITY AND WORSHIP

GOAL I: TO CONTINUE TO ASSIST PARISHES IN CELEBRATING LITURGY "AS THE SUMMIT TOWARD WHICH THE ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH IS DIRECTED AND THE FONT FROM WHICH HER POWER FLOWS." (CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY, PARAGRAPH 10)

Objectives:

1. To encourage each parish to have a liturgy committee to plan for liturgical celebrations throughout the Liturgical Year.

2. To promote a better understanding of the connection of the Sunday liturgy in living out the Gospel message in our everyday life.

3. To foster authentic celebration of all the sacraments.

GOAL II: TO ENHANCE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE AND THE EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY IN EACH PARISH.

Objectives:

1. To promote Parish Pastoral Council ministry of supporting and guiding the spirituality of the parish.

2. To encourage all parishes to foster community through various family, social, and ecumenical activities.

3. To encourage and support small group efforts for faith sharing.

4. To promote reading, study, and prayerful reflection on the Word of God in Scripture.

5. To provide opportunities for encouragement and enhancement of PERSONAL SPIRITUALITY through Eucharistic Adoration, devotions, retreats and other similar means.

PASTORAL CARE SERVICES

GOAL I: TO PRESERVE ALL VIABLE PARISHES IN THE DIOCESE.

Objectives:

1. To continue implementing the diocesan guidelines for parish viability as stated in INDICATORS OF PARISH VIABILITY published in January 2000.

2. To facilitate parish self-studies to determine present parish viability and the commitment of the parish and priests/pastoral administrators to meeting guidelines on a short term and ongoing basis.

3. To plan for an effective, life-giving closure process for parishes that needs to close.

GOAL II: TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE SCHOOL OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP FOR LAITY, RELIGIOUS AND PRIESTS ON SKILLS FOR MINISTRY, COLLABORATION IN MINISTRY AND PARISH PLANNING.

GOAL III: TO ENSURE THAT DIOCESAN PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION OF GOALS AND EVALUATION WILL CONTINUE ON AN ONGOING BASIS.

GOAL IV: TO DEVELOP A DIOCESAN WIDE AWARENESS OF PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES THAT ASSIST PARISHES TO REACH OUT TO MARGINALIZE CATHOLICS

Objectives:

1. To continue to provide pre-marriage preparation for all couples in accordance with diocesan regulations.

2. To promote marriage enrichment programs and programs designed to help marriages at crisis moments, alienation, etc.

3. To encourage a Catholic family perspective in all parish ministries and activities, including programs for single parent families, single adults, elderly, widowed and homebound.

4. To establish training programs to prepare people for like to like ministry. (loss of a child,

miscarriage, single parents, etc.)

5. To ensure a continuing commitment - ministry toward- marriage situations which reflect alienation or inactivity (second marriages outside the Church and annulments).

6. To celebrate marriage by promoting special parish and diocesan activities.

VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE

GOAL I: TO ENCOURAGE PARISHES TO SUPPORT VOCATIONS FOR THE PRIESTHOOD AND CONSECRATED LIFE IN COOPERATION WITH THE EFFORTS OF THE DIOCESE.

Objectives:

1. The diocese and parishes will provide opportunities and resources to assist individuals who may be discerning a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life. (Resources might include programs, publications, retreats and other efforts to facilitate discernment. Information about the areas such as discernment, priestly and consecrated life responsibilities and rewards, and the unique missions of various religious orders–teaching, health care, international service, etc., should be readily available in all parishes.)

2. The Diocesan Office of Priestly Vocations will cooperate with the other Diocesan Offices to develop avenues for encouraging vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life at parish and diocesan levels.

EVANGELIZATION

GOAL I: TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL CONVERSION AND RENEWAL WHICH ARE BASED ON SCRIPTURE AND CHURCH TEACHINGS.

Objectives:

1. To continue to develop creative processes through which Catholics may share their growth in faith with one another.

2. To promote and encourage greater parish participation in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.

GOAL II: TO ASSIST PARISHES IN DEVELOPING PROGRAMS FOR OUTREACH TO THE UNCHURCHED AND TO NON-CATHOLICS.

GOAL III: TO ASSIST PARISHES IN DEVELOPING PROGRAMS OF ECUMENISM.

CATECHESIS & FAITH FORMATION

GOAL I: TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES IN EACH PARISH FOR ALL PARISHIONERS TO GROW AND MATURE IN THE LIFELONG PROCESS OF CATECHESIS AND FAITH FORMATION.

Objectives:

1. Provide ongoing faith formation for all Catholics.

2. Offer activities and resources to help adults experience, understand, and live their faith.

3. Develop faith formation that is life-long in order that adults can fulfill their leadership roles in this new era of church ministry.

4. To provide Christian parenting programs which help parents in their role as primary educators of their children.

GOAL II: FOSTER AMONG ALL CATHOLICS THE REALIZATION THAT CATECHETICAL FORMATION INCORPORATES THE TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS OF WORD, WORSHIP, COMMUNITY AND SERVICE AT ALL AGE LEVELS.

Objectives:

1. Implement the Guidelines contained in the National Catechetical Directory.

2. Implement the policies of the Diocesan Office of Religious Education. (Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation and the attendance of the Seminar on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Background check and the Child Lures Program)

GOAL III: TO PROVIDE TRAINING OF CATECHISTS AND PARISH LEADERS.

Objectives:

1. To require attendance at the seminar on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Background check and the Child Lures Program.

2. To require certification of all Religious Education Coordinators and encourage certification of all catechists.

3. To provide solid and comprehensive program opportunities for the training of all catechists through the School of Pastoral Leadership.

4. Diocesan offices will continue to pursue available technologies to achieve Goal III.

5. To encourage catechists to participate in parish adult faith formation program.

GOAL IV: TO SECURE THE FUTURE AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION THROUGH EFFECTIVE LOCAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCILS AND ADMINISTRATIONS AND THE SUPPORT OF THE DIOCESAN SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

Objectives:

1. To require each individual school to develop long-term and short-term planning processes, including the study of viability.

2. To require that all teachers of Religion in Catholic schools be working toward diocesan certification.

3. To encourage all teachers in Catholic schools to acquire knowledge of Catholic theology.

GOAL V: TO DEVELOP DIOCESAN WIDE SUPPORT FOR ALL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

Objective:

1. To ensure adequate financial support of viable Catholic schools.

GOAL VI: TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO LIVE AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST AND AS ACTIVE CATHOLICS IN OUR WORLD TODAY.

Objectives:

1. Evangelizing youth and drawing them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ nourished by the Holy Eucharist.

2. Provide systematic catechesis for our high school age youth.

3. Encourage holistic and comprehensive programs in our parishes for our youth that include the eight components described in the document RENEWING THE VISION. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1997) The eight components are: Advocacy, Catechesis, Community Life, Evangelization, Justice and Service, Leadership Development, Pastoral Care, Prayer and Worship.

SHARED MINISTRY

GOAL I: TO PROVIDE FORMATION FOR THE LAITY TO FOSTERING LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTRY AND ACHIEVE GREATER COLLABORATION.

Objectives:

1. To provide training for all persons in lay ecclesial ministry within the Church.

2. That the School of Pastoral Leadership will provide training and ongoing formation for lay ecclesial ministers.

GOAL II: TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE LEADERSHIP IN THE LOCAL PARISH THROUGH PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS, COMMISSIONS, AND OTHER FORMS OF SHARED MINISTRY.

Objectives:

1. To provide the means and training for the enhancement of leadership styles and skills for Parish Pastoral Councils and all areas of ministry.

2. To promote the effective functioning of parish pastoral councils and commissions through periodic updating, with diocesan approval, of all the parish pastoral council constitutions.

3. To encourage all clergy and pastoral leaders to promote shared ministry and collaboration with the laity.

GOAL III: TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE VICARIATE STRUCTURES FOR TRAINING, CONSULTATION, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PARISH AND DIOCESAN CHURCH.

Objective:

1. To encourage participation in vicariate meetings by appropriate parish representatives.

STEWARDSHIP

GOAL I: TO WORK WITH ALL THE PARISHES AS NEEDED IN SUPPORTING AND DEVELOPING THE SPIRITUALITY OF STEWARDSHIP AS A WAY OF LIFE, THROUGH EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, AND PRINTED MATERIALS WHICH EMPHASIZE THE GIFT OF TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE.

Objectives

1. To encourage our people to recognize the immense gifts God has given them and respond in prayer and gratitude by offering their whole selves.

2. To encourage our people to regularly give of their time, talent and treasure to their parish and the wider Church.

3. To continue to promote and sustain the Catholic Community Annual Appeal (CCAA) in the context of stewardship.

4. To develop ongoing publicity on diocesan financial matters.

5. Diocese will establish a Diocesan Stewardship Committee.

GOAL II: TO DEVELOP, FOSTER, AND SUSTAIN THE SPIRITUALITY, UNDERSTANDING, AND PRACTICE OF STEWARDSHIP IN EACH PARISH OF THE DIOCESE.

Objectives:

1. To conduct an annual renewal of stewardship in each parish.

2. To conduct regularly a time and talent survey in each parish with an opportunity for parishioners to indicate a preference for ministry.

3. To have each parish prepare an annual budget with the involvement of the pastor and Finance Council. This budget should reflect the parish mission statement and its goals and objectives for the coming year.

4. To encourage communication with the laity about financial matters. This should include publishing financial statements and budgets.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

GOAL I: TO PROMOTE A GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS.

Objectives:

1. To have both the diocese and the parishes provide: education on the mission of the Catholic Church to work for justice; information on current social issues; and encouragement for appropriate action in response to social injustice.

GOAL II: TO IDENTIFY AND RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN THE DIOCESE.

GOAL III: TO INITIATE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ACTIONS TO BRING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Objectives:

1. To promote the payment of just wages and benefits for those who work for the Church and to encourage employers to provide just wages and benefits for their employees.

2. To study and promote all issues regarding the dignity and sanctity of human life.

3. To support the application of Catholic social principles to all issues of life such as the unborn, healthy medicine, rural life, elderly, poverty, discrimination, immigration issues, death penalty and war.

4. To participate in efforts to protect our local, regional, and global ecological systems.

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