About Pastoral Planning
Letter from Bishop DiLorenzo
My Dear Friends in Our Lord,
In the fall of 2007 our diocese began the pastoral planning process to move from a focus on individual parishes and church buildings to a new model of Church. Our purpose was to create a strategic plan which is proactive and comprehensive and to address the challenges of moving the Diocese of Richmond from a one-pastor-one-parish expectation to new models focused on inter-parish collaboration to strengthen and renew the lived expression of Church.
In order to do this many people were involved at the Local Planning Area level and I thank them for their time, talent, and prayers. We could not have developed this plan without their input. They are to be commended for their sincere interest in our diocese and their parish communities. The Pastoral Planning Commission has reviewed all the reports and information provided from the 19 Local Planning Area committees. I have reviewed the recommendations from the Pastoral Planning Commission and the following document has been developed.
It is important to remember that this is a plan, written on paper, not cast in concrete. I, my presbyters, diocesan staff, bodies, and commissions should refer to this when making decisions for the future, but it may need to be edited or revised from time to time. We called the plan "Our Journey of Faith" in order to reflect the nature of the work (a journey undertaken with faith which is led by the Holy Spirit) and to recognize its connection to We Walk by Faith. Word, Worship, Community, and Service are the visible means of carrying out our faith in this world.
May we continue to work together, led by the Holy Spirit, to determine how best to meet the needs of the people of God in the Diocese of Richmond.
With my gratitude and every best wish, I remain,
Sincerely yours in our Lord,
Most Rev. Francis X. DiLorenzo
Bishop of Richmond
December 2008