Listening sessions play integral role in developing archdiocesan pastoral plan
Catholics from across southeastern Indiana fill out questionnaires related to the archdiocesan pastoral planning process during an Aug. 24 listening session at St. Louis Parish in Batesville. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)
By Sandi Patel (Special to The Criterion)
Last fall, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis facilitated a series of listening sessions, held in each deanery, to meet with parishioners across central and southern Indiana to include their voices in a pastoral planning process.
At the listening sessions, held between August and November, people were invited to complete a survey that included four questions. The first two were: “Where are we today?” and “Where is God calling us to be?” which addressed five aspects of the life of the archdiocese: community, evangelization and catechesis, parish life, faith formation and education, and Catholic social teaching.
Participants next responded to two open-ended questions: “What other areas of focus are important?” and “What are your hopes for your parish and the archdiocese?” (Read an executive summary of the surveys online at www.archindy.org/pastoralplan)
An opportunity to share, a plan with prayer
The listening sessions allowed time for people to share their thoughts and talk in small groups, followed by open sharing regarding the questions. Archbishop Charles C. Thompson concluded the listening sessions he attended with a summary of what he heard and a prayer of thanksgiving for those present.
At the end of the listening sessions, the surveys were collected so the thoughts expressed could be carefully read. With a final count of 391 completed handwritten surveys, members of the archdiocesan pastoral planning committee were pleased with the participation. It is important to note that, in addition to the in-person listening sessions, an online survey was available with the same questions, where there was equal participation.
As a member of the pastoral planning committee, I was asked to provide an analysis of the handwritten surveys. I approached it with a plan: number and batch the surveys, read them carefully, tally the responses and write a report of the overarching themes.
However, it didn’t take long for me to realize this task was so much more than my plan: it was a sacred trust to God’s people who took the time to attend a listening session. The Holy Spirit was speaking through them, guiding us on our journey.
I was holding the mind, heart and soul of the archdiocese in my hands. I owed it to my fellow Catholics to read these surveys with prayerful discernment, united to the heart of Jesus.
Inviting the Holy Spirit into the process
As I was beginning this task before the season of Advent, I was inspired by Pope Francis, who wrote in an Angelus prayer in 2018, “Advent invites us to a commitment to vigilance, looking beyond ourselves, expanding our mind and heart in order to open ourselves up to the needs of people, of brothers and sisters and to the desire for a new world.”
Holding onto this sacred trust to God’s people, my “plan” became my preparation for the birth of Jesus. I prepared to read each survey by inviting the Holy Spirit to quiet my heart and mind and inspire me. Every moment spent reading was a journey to the full joy of Christmas.
One participant in an October listening session at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in Indianapolis expressed the hope that the surveys would be “read fully and prayed over.” I can assure everyone that this did indeed happen. From the simplest thoughts to the longest paragraphs, I held every word in prayer.
While the final report contained overall themes that were articulated by most of the people, every comment was thoughtfully considered for the report. A participant from a listening session in October at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis was concerned, saying, “I am unable to fully express my thoughts.”
Witnesses of faith, creating missionary disciples
However, that was not at all what I encountered.
I found thoughtful expressions of God’s call for our Church from people deeply committed to our Catholic faith. There were certainly concerns and frustrations, but there was also hope and anticipation of all we could become in the light of God’s love for us.
While people articulated specific thoughts about where we are today and why—such as being divided by opinions, ideas, language and social issues—they also offered ideas for how we can improve, such as developing lifelong faith formation for all people that inspires the witness of our faith and creates missionary disciples.
The full reports from both the in-person listening sessions and online surveys have been submitted to Archbishop Thompson and the archdiocesan pastoral planning committee. The committee is now using the information to answer the third question, “How will we get there together?” to create action steps that follow the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Developing a framework and goals
In the most recent pastoral planning committee meeting, we reviewed an executive summary of the surveys, along with archdiocesan demographic information, to consider a framework to guide the development of goals and objectives for the pastoral plan. It is inspiring to participate in the thoughtful, vibrant conversations inspired by the information we have at hand.
Later this year, Catholics will have another opportunity to provide feedback on the action plans developed during this phase of the process. We bring our hopes to life through God’s grace and the commitment to journey together.
On behalf of Archbishop Thompson and the archdiocesan pastoral planning committee, I express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took the time to either attend a listening session or complete the online survey. Truly, each of you are in our hearts and prayers.
(Sandi Patel is a member of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis and a member of the archdiocesan pastoral planning committee. She is employed as a grant coordinator and consultant by the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.) †
