A new year — looking back and forward

As summarized in the last issue of the Hawaii Catholic Herald, one of the important happenings in our diocese during the past year was the completion, unveiling, and beginning of the implementation process for our diocesan strategic plan, “Diocesan Road Map for Pastoral, Program, and Facility Needs 2008-2013.”

The implementation of a strategic plan requires a thoughtful process that produces results. Many have worked hard on organizing and putting in place a process for implementing our plan, which includes:

• Bishop Silva’s message and presentation of the plan to the entire diocesan community. He shared an executive summary of the plan and its major recommendations in the form of an attractive foldout that was made available to all parishioners and for posting in the parishes.
• Appointment of a 19-member implementation commission that brings together the perspectives of many diocesan constituents.
• Appointment of 60 people to six task forces — one for each of the major recommendations of the plan.
• Nine vicariate meetings that brought together nearly 800 parishioners to discuss plan implementation at the parish level.

An excellent implementation process is essential, but it does not guarantee results. Results come from actions and activities that take place over long periods of time. It is not always possible to know with certainty precise results. Often we have to settle for indirect indicators of progress. As our six task forces report to the full Implementation Commission, we hear of activities that will bear more direct results as time goes on. In this and future columns, we will share highlights from task force reports and feedback from vicariate meetings.

The ad hoc task force on Leadership Development of Clergy, Lay Staff, and Volunteers is researching available and existing personnel evaluation processes. For example, this task force is focusing on leadership development that is theologically sound and scripturally based; the use of performance evaluations that help leaders see themselves as others see them; and the leadership qualities that help those served to become wiser, healthier, and empowered to serve. The diocese recognizes the importance of orientation programs for international priests and well-designed convocations for all priests.

At the vicariate meetings, 34 parishes identified leadership development as either their first or second priority; another 11 indicated that it was their third priority. Parishioners referred to the importance of education and training for parish councils, clarification of the organization, authority, and responsibilities of various ministries, training for volunteers, and training for faith formation leaders. Improved communications and coordination by means of town hall meetings, social gatherings, and print and electronic media are all viewed as necessary for leadership development.

The ad hoc task force for Youth and Young Adults has drafted the position description for the Director of the Diocesan Office for Youth and Young Adults, and the search for this position will move forward shortly. The task force is also gathering data on what parishes are currently doing in terms of youth and young adult programs. Sharing this information across the diocese will help parishes learn from each other and inspire new programs where they are needed.

Separately, youth coordinator training and ministry formation for youth have been strong recurring themes emerging from the vicariate meetings across the state. Forty-six parishes identified youth and young adult leadership and programs among their top three priorities. For example, parishioners speak of the need to incorporate more youth in leadership, liturgical, and social ministries, the importance of mentoring programs for youth, and the need for increased support from parents and parishioners for youth.

Our diocese is still in the early stages of implementing our Road Map. But the many conversations, dialogue, and working sessions are raising awareness of what is happening in our parishes and what can and needs to be done. Part of our Road Map journey is having faith that these efforts will strengthen our leadership at all levels and will bring more of our youth into active participation in our Catholic community. Happy New Year to all!