Pastoral Plan
Thanks to efforts initiated by Bishop Emeritus Walter F. Sullivan (Richmond Bishop from 1974 to 2003) in collaboration with the Diocesan Hispanic Commission, the Latino community of the Diocese of Richmond developed the Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Richmond, 1999 (PDF). Using the guidelines provided for the National Pastoral Plan for Hispanic Ministry a plan was developed through a consultative process with the different agencies, commissions and diocesan structures. Also, in an effort to further analyze the needs of the community, the plan also included consultations with the parishes that celebrated Masses in Spanish.
The latest comprehensive pastoral plan of the Diocese of Richmond, Our Journey of Faith ... Led by the Holy Spirit (565k PDF) was developed by the Pastoral Planning Commission, with input from representatives from all 152 parishes, pastors, and college campus ministers. The purpose was to create a blueprint of how to address the challenges of moving the diocese from a one-pastor/one-parish expectation to new models of inter-parish collaboration. The plan was completed in 2008 after an 18-month planning process and review period. Bishop DiLorenzo approved the plan in December of 2008 and, thanks to María Morales of St. Gerard Parish in Roanoke, it was translated into Spanish.
This plan included a question of great importance for Our Community: “One immediate need is a response to the growth of the Hispanic Community. How can language, traditions and customs be incorporated into more liturgical celebrations to keep these members of the Catholic Faithful involved in parish life?”