A series of four regional gatherings this month brought together clergy, parish staffs, ministry leaders, parishioners and others for small-group conversations, resource sharing, networking opportunities, reflection, discernment and prayer.
“This can’t be a one and done,” said Tony Dipre, director of the diocesan Office for Human Life. The sessions, which took place at St. Mary Parish, Elyria, the Center for Pastoral Leadership, Wickliffe, Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Solon, and Holy Martyrs Parish, Medina, were organized by the Office for Human Life and Catholic Charities’ Diocesan Social Action Office.
Anthony Camino, DSAO East (Lake and Geauga counties), Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl, DSAO for Wayne, Ashland and Medina counties, Jeff Campbell, DSAO for Summit County and Shawn Witmer, DSAO for Lorain County, assisted with the meetings.
Dipre said the gatherings were in response to a challenge by Bishop Edward Malesic for greater collaboration among ministries in the diocese. A brief video from the bishop was shown at each meeting.
In the video, the bishop reminded attendees that their ministries are interconnected and that we are human beings made in the image and likeness of God, and each of us is unique and deserving of recognition and dignity. He invited session participants to see life as a holistic gift from God, reminding them that “None of us is called to do everything, but each of us is called to do something.”
“We are all doing good things in ministry and are all busy,” said Father Tom Dragga, Resurrection pastor. He said the session he attended at his parish encouraged him to think about what is taking place at both his parish and nearby parishes and how they might do more by collaborating.
“We all belong to one human family and must recognize others as co-workers in one vineyard,” Camino said.
The gatherings were intended to encourage a culture of encounter, Dipre said, with participants listening respectfully, looking for common ground, speaking from experience, being rooted in truth and leading with charity. Participants split into small groups to share experiences, to discuss their call and conviction and to reach a communal discernment. As the session drew to a close, they “harvested” their conversations to see what/where the Lord might be inviting them as a community.
Deacon Kipfstuhl encouraged session participants to do practice what he called “the four Ls: listen, listen, listen and learn from each other.”
The groups also discussed what voices were missing, including younger members of the Church and how important it is to welcome and heed their input.
Camino said being respectful of others’ viewpoints and passions is important because “their something (passion) may not be my something,” but he said that should not diminish how others feel about the importance of their ministries.
“The role of our offices and ministries is to be of service in the diocese,” Dipre said, adding that it’s important to continue building on the ideas harvested during the four town hall gatherings.