Pastoral planning is important work of the Church. Through pastoral planning a diocesan bishop identifies needs in his diocese, consults with the Christian faithful about addressing them and makes decisions for accomplishing goals surrounding them. Bishop Earl Fernandes has engaged Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI) to assist him in consulting the Christian faithful in the formation of a pastoral plan for the growing needs of the Diocese of Columbus. Our diocese is increasing in population, is more diverse than ever and has more opportunities to support Catholic education and works of charity and evangelization.
The Disciple Maker Index (DMI) is one tool for the development of our complete and effective pastoral plan. The pastors of the diocese have been asked to support and promote the use of this instrument as a part of our diocesan pastoral planning. The entire diocese had an opportunity to participate in this during Lent 2021 for a previous period of pastoral planning. That initiative was focused on investigating support for evangelization efforts and better understanding the necessary structural footprint of the Diocese. For example, the changes at Buckeye Catholic on the campus of Ohio State University and the Parish Evangelization Toolkit were significant focal points of that renewal of and support for evangelization efforts.
The structural footprint of the diocese has changed by going from 105 to 78 parishes in our diocese as a result of the extensive feedback from parishioners. This difficult but necessary pruning of the vine has enabled us to send priests for further studies and to place priests in additional pastoral leadership roles such as hospital chaplaincy and high school chaplaincy that before we were unable to address. As we engage once again in pastoral planning, the DMI can assist parish leadership and diocesan leadership with understanding the needs of the Christian faithful in the diocese.
Four years ago, 21,462 people took the survey. That represented 30% of Mass-going Catholics at that time. Seventy-four percent of those who responded indicated that they “strongly agreed” that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ. Fifty-seven percent “agreed or strongly agreed” that they needed more support from their parish in supporting their confidence in understanding Church teachings. These two brief examples out of the 95 questions are indications of where parishioners are in their growth as disciples, and this information can assist in identifying areas of focus to pastors. Pastors and their teams will review the DMI results and make determinations of areas of strengths and opportunities for their parishes. Diocesan offices can assist pastors and their own leadership and catechetical teams with addressing those needs and desires of parishioners.
The Envisioning Team for this pastoral planning effort has received nearly 2,000 responses to the online survey, which was open for two months over the summer and fall, and which is currently being reviewed. The results of the DMI will be another excellent data point for assisting the Envisioning Team in eventually recommending to Bishop Fernandes some actionable goals for the four pastoral priorities of vocations, evangelization, Catholic education and formation, and social outreach.
The DMI is open from Nov. 26 through Jan. 5. Please use the QR Code found below or click here to find your parish and take the DMI today.
