Study Guide for Mission of the Contemporary Parish - a companion to his paper and the DVD. Great for Adult Education.

“We are His People.” - Pastoral Letter by Bishop Hubbard written in 1978.

“We ’s Priestly People.” - A Pastoral Letter from 1988.

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Other Useful Materials for “Called to BE Church”

For Prayers used during “Called to BE Church” meetings click on the “Prayers for Meeting”.

For Meeting Resources (agenda & prayer) for facilitator and participant guides used in the “Loosening the Soil” Fall 2006 Town and Leadership meetings and the Local Planning Group meetings (January 2007 - June 2008), click on the “Meeting Resources”.

For a copy of all Pastoral Planning Memoranda, click on the “Memoranda from Pastoral Planning”.

For Local Planning Groups.

For a copy of the “Called to BE Church” LOGO in JPEG format. Use the Logo on all of your parish bulletins, prayers, etc. The LOGO is also available courtesy of The Evangelist.

For a “Called to BE Church” Book Mark Prayer & Logo. These are great for inserting into the worship aide you use for Mass. Pray the “Prayer in Time of Change” at every liturgy!

For a copy of just “The Prayer in Time of Change”.

“Called to BE Church” Song and Music: Written by Steve Wildermuth, the song for Called to BE Church is available as sheet music for vocal groups, organ and piano and in several MP3 format versions that can be downloaded and played. We suggest that this song be used during Mass and meetings

For a copy of the Thomas Merton Prayer, Merton’s prayer

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Suggested Reading

The official Diocesan newspaper, The Evangelist, the official publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, has been running articles on “Called to BE Church.” To obtain these articles or to download the LOGO in JPEG or PDF format, http://www.evangelist.org/called.htm

“The Basic Sixteen Documents VATICAN COUNCIL II.” Austin Flannery, O.P., General Editor, Costello Publishing Company, Northport, N.Y., 1996 ISBN 0-918344-37-9. This is MUST reading for all Catholics.

“Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, a Resource for Guiding the
Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry.” Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005, is available on line in PDF format.

Also available as a book through Costello Publishing Company, Northport , NY , ISBN 1-57455-724-6. An excellent resource for anyone who wants to serve Jesus and his people as a dedicated lay person in active ministry.

“Fulfilling the Vision, Collaborative Ministry in the Parish.” Howard J. Hubbard, Crossroad Publishing, 1998, ISBN 0-8245-1719-9. While out of print, it is still available as a used book through on-line book stores.

“Creative Ministry.” Henri J.M. Nouwen, Image Books, 1971, ISBN 0-385-12616-6. While originally written for the clergy, this book has meaning for all God’s Priestly people who serve, or who want to serve, in the Name of Jesus.

“A Struggle for Holy Ground, Reconciliation and the Rites of Parish Closure.” Michael Weldon, Liturgical Press, 2004, ISBN 0-8146-2155-4. Very important to help understand the dynamic of consolidation of resources and parish closings. Based upon actual experiences.

“Collaboration, Uniting Our Gifts in Ministry.” Loughlan Sofield, ST and Carrol Juliano, SHCJ, Ave Maria Press, 2000, ISBN 0-87793-683-8. Christian Collaboration is nothing like Roberts Rules of Order. Must reading for those who meet to do the work of Jesus.

“Dancing with Change, A Spiritual Response to Changes in the Church.” Dr. Richard J. McCorry, iUniverse, Inc., 2004, ISBN 0-595-31462-7. Insight into why change is so difficult and strategies for dealing with change that is inevitable.

“Priestless Parishes, the Baptized Leading the Baptized.” Virginia Stillwell, Thomas More Publishing, 2002, ISBN 0-88347-481-6. We live this dynamic already in Churches lead by Parish Life Directors. Knowledge alleviates fear and uncertainty and this book explains how parishes can thrive without priests.

If you have any suggested readings, please provide the information in the format above, including a brief synopsis, to WarrenEd@Verizon.net.

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General Framework of Called to BE Church

1.We will be building on previous pastoral planning efforts of the Albany Diocese and other dioceses.

2. The process will be focused on the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ with goal of sustaining and advancing the ministry of Jesus throughout the Albany Diocese through prudent stewardship of our resources.

3. Called to BE Church will be centered in Prayer.

4. Every group in the diocese is a part of the planning process. This includes all parishes, deaneries, and special ministries (Catholic Schools, Catholic Charities, Pastoral Health Care, Campus Ministry, Jail and Prison

5.Bishop will make final decisions, in January, 2009 following recommendations from Local Planning Groups and other input received from diocesan consultative bodies e.g. Pastoral Planning Advisory Council,

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Key Elements of the Planning Process

1. Process Design & Responsibility:
The Pastoral Planning Office and its Advisory Council (The Pastoral Planning Advisory Council) are developing the process tailored to present realities and future needs of the Albany Diocese. The Planning Office and Council will review recommendations from Local Planning Groups and will provide additional advice to the Bishop throughout the process.

2. Local Planning Groups to be Established & Facilitated:
The present cluster system will be reshaped into Local Planning Groups composed of leaders from parishes in geographic proximity. Each Local Planning Group will be provided a trained facilitator who will assist the group throughout its 18 month “planning” calendar (January 2007-June 2008). Resources presently being developed for use by Local Planning Groups include a Resource Guide (with agenda outlines); a Prayer Resource Guide and a Communications Guide. Special Note: Each Local Planning Group and Deanery will be given the number of priests “available for service” in 2015 which will allow the Local Planning Groups and Deaneries to plan for priestly service.

Additional Note:
Priest projections have been developed based on past and present statistics. Future circumstances may alter these projections.

3. Givens and Assumptions:
With any process of this size and scope there are givens and assumptions that are needed to shape and clarify the process.

4. Ongoing Education and Communications Plan:
Built into the planning process will be an ongoing education and communications plan the goal of which is to inform the entire people of the Albany Diocese regarding the realities being faced by the church today; and to engage them in the dialogue regarding “what is the Spirit calling us to become as a people of God going forward”.

5. Physical Inspection of Parish Facilities:
Throughout the planning process, inspection of parish facilities will occur to determine the structural, mechanical and electrical condition of each facility. The physical inspections will occur, primarily in “city” parishes.

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