As the summer rolls on, I thought I’d offer an update on the recently-concluded consultations with parish lay leaders, which were aimed at helping me and our auxiliary bishops better understand the laity’s opinions and ideas about how best to address the challenges facing our Church today and those which loom large for us tomorrow.
More specifically, I wanted their input as I wrestle with formulating a process that engages parishioners in the monumental task of charting a new course for Catholic ministry and Catholic parish life based on our desire for healthy and vibrant parishes, and an overarching responsibility to plan for a number of realities and projected realities, included among them:
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