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 Dear
Parishioners,
In 1989, our Diocese of Rockville Centre was divided into three sections, Western, Central and Eastern, each with a representative of the Ordinary (the chief Bishop of the Diocese), called a Vicar. Hence, the sections are called Vicariates. The reason vicariates were established was to facilitate better communications between the parishes in each section of the diocese and the Ordinary, as well as to encourage the networking of resources among the parishes within the vicariates, and to encourage a greater awareness of the bond of unity of each parish to the diocese. Good Shepherd parish is in the Eastern Vicariate, and our Vicar is Bishop Emil Wcela. Beginning in 1990, our Vicar, Bishop Wcela began visiting each parish in an effort to get to know the parishes better and to encourage and support them in their work. On the weekend of January 27/28, 2001, Bishop Wcela made his third visitation to Good Shepherd. He presided at one of the parish masses; preached at all the other masses on that weekend; met with the parish priests individually and with any parishioners who asked to speak with him. Then in separate conferences he met with the Pastoral Ministry Staff, the Pastoral Council, Parish Trustees and Finance Committee, and with about thirty parishioners involved in a variety of parish ministries. The following is a summary of his report of the visitation. "Good Shepherd parish, with about 4500 registered households, is 140% the size of an average parish in this diocese. Sacramental statistics reflect its size, though the larger than expected percentage of Baptisms and first Communions suggest that the parish is experiencing an influx of younger families. Mass attendance has been stable for the past five years, averaging between 2000 and 2200 weekly. This number is less than would be expected for a parish the size of Good Shepherd. A partial explanation of this might be the rate of turnover in the community- a change of 500 families yearly for the past eight years. Parish income is less than would be expected for a parish of this size, but the parish is on firm financial ground and is making regular payments on its debt. Through a collaborative process of prayer and discernment that began over ten years ago, the Staff and Pastoral Council came to a common vision, that the parish focus not on programs, but on the full participation of each baptized person. This vision was communicated to the rest of the parish and is now included in the parish Mission Statement. Recent changes in the staff because of transfer, departure and in one instance death, of members and the inclusion of new members, has made it difficult to remain focused on this vision. The discussion with the Pastoral Council reflected an awareness of the shared vision. Liturgy is celebrated well with a good music ministry. At Sunday Eucharist, there is an obvious sense of community with the priests present to greet parishioners. The priests get good marks for their preaching and celebration. The staff members are also highly regarded. There is a broad variety of ministries in the parish and these are seen as a very positive contribution to the life of the parish. The challenges most frequently mentioned in meetings were, - the difficulty of bringing parishioners to share the vision of parish which is being promoted- the low percentage of parishioners who participate regularly - the need for youth ministry after Confirmation - the need for more parishioners to share in the many parish ministries." The Bishop offered several recommendations which were forwarded to the Staff and Council for their consideration. Some have already been acted upon. Although the Pastoral Council and Staff annually assess parish strengths and weaknesses, in our efforts to improve the way we go about being church and establishing God's kingdom, the Vicar's visits have provided an excellent opportunity for our parish to make that assessment in the broader context of the Diocese. Father Tom
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