Orleans County churches
look at opportunities for collaboration

Parishes throughout Orleans County are on an important passage of reflection, contemplation, and prayer. Each parish has examined its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for collaboration with the other parishes in their cluster and throughout the county. The goal of this self-evaluation was to develop proposals to increase efficiencies and enhance the vibrancy of the parish communities in the Buffalo Diocese.

As a result of the Journey in Faith and Grace process, the churches in Orleans County were divided into three clusters: Medina/Lyndonville, the parishes of St. Mary, Sacred Heart, and St. Joseph; Albion, the parishes of St. Joseph and St. Mary Assumption; Holley/Kendall, St. Mary, St. Mark and St. Rocco Oratory. This process led to the formation of a Pastoral Council for the Vicariate of Orleans County.

The Orleans County Vicariate Council met to review the proposals submitted to the Diocese and to review the changing role of the Council. Members from each of the Orleans County parishes, along with the pastors and staff, discussed the purpose and goal of the Vicariate Council. Janet Thirlby, a professional organizational consultant and member of the Holley/Kendall cluster, facilitated the discussion. The members discussed the purpose of the Council and building upon one another's ideas, identified the purpose and responsibilities of the Orleans County Vicariate Council.

It was determined that the role of the Council is to assume a proactive attitude about the future of the Vicariate and to be a responsible voice in the Vicariate's future. Four main responsibilities are to act strategically; to shepherd the process of change; to work together; and to enhance communication throughout the Vicariate.

Thirlby shared comments from Sister Regina Murphy, director of the Office of Research and Planning for the Diocese of Buffalo, regarding the restructuring proposals that were submitted by the clusters within Orleans County. Questions and concerns noted surrounded proposed timelines and consolidation of cluster sites. Now that the proposals have had an initial review, they will be referred to the Diocese Commission's ad hoc geographic committee for a more detailed evaluation of the proposals. Eventually the full Commission will study the proposals, statistics, financial information and other materials submitted.

The Vicariate Council will meet on June 14 at 7 p.m. Each cluster will provide a status report on the activities of their respective proposals. For information contact Father Dick Csizmar at St. Joseph's Church in Albion at 589-4243.

June 10, 2007