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Year Two Implementation of Together In Faith Plan
Southwest Vicariate

 Print 2008 Year Two Implementation Update

The Southwest Vicariate's Together In Faith (TIF) Plan approved by Cardinal Maida included several goals, objectives or strategies to be met by certain deadlines.  Below is the Progress Reported by the Vicariate Pastoral Council in each area, the Tracking Committee's Response, and Implementation Updates.

1. By December 2006 St. John Cantius will submit a detailed plan for closing in October 2007 after their 105th Anniversary celebration.

2006 Progress Reported: St. John Cantius has planned a year of tribute to celebrate the parish history and contributions to the local church of Southwest Detroit and the wider Archdiocesan Church. The Closing celebration is scheduled for Sunday October 28th, 2007.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The plan has been completed by the vicariate and a closing celebration is scheduled for October 28, 2007.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: Completed.

2. By December 2006 submit a comprehensive plan including action steps, persons with lead responsibility, timelines and budgets for youth, young adult and family ministries, in coordination with AOD Central Services.

2006 Progress Reported: The vicariate has endorsed the Young Adult Ministry program that is being coordinated through the Young Adult and Campus Ministry Office. There are representatives from the vicariate that are playing a key role in the planning process. It is expected that the group will be prepared to make a formal presentation by February 2007. The vicariate has also agreed to pay the assessment requested by the office. Various parishes in the vicariate have been working with the Urban Youth Ministry Office. The staff of the office were very helpful in organizing our first multi-cultural Marian celebration. Several of the parishes have been involved in Encuentro. This year the parishes will work with the Urban Youth Ministry Office to assess and determine the needs and budget determination.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The vicariate is to be commended for the work to date on youth and young adult ministry to be supported by the vicariate, however, how does this relate to a "comprehensive" plan for all three ministries? The vicariate will need to spell out how the three ministries will connect. The Tracking Committee recommends that the vicariate build on the young adult plan to be presented in February 2007 – the young adult plan could prove a gateway to the more comprehensive plan connecting youth and family ministries.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The vicariate has not yet produced a comprehensive plan with budget detail for family ministries, but has endorsed the work of the Central Service Young Adult program. The vicariate recognizes the needs of the Hispanic community and getting more people involved. They need to submit a comprehensive plan with budget details for all identified focus areas.

3. By December 2006 submit a plan for "multi parish teams" and centralized staffing for vicariate functions in conformity with Canon Law.

2006 Progress Reported: Vicariate personnel will be meeting in mid-January to build relationships and to get to know one another better. It would seem to be a bit premature to have a set plan in place because there are many variables that have to be considered. As of this point it would be best to look at this as a work in progress. The agenda will include discussion and the development of committees to formulate a model so that we can better maximize our service, and not duplicate what is already being done. We will be developing policies in the vicariate as it relates to baptismal prep, marriage prep, quincenereas, annulments, etc. Some form of centralized formation sites will probably result. This will primarily focus on the Latino community. Collaboration in the area of religious education is currently taking place in the Michigan corridor parishes with the religious education site being located at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish. The vicariate already has in existence an RCIA, Baptismal prep program that assists all the parishes in formation for the English speaking in the Vicariate. This enables the parishes with large numbers of parishioners whose first language is Spanish to concentrate their efforts in this area. Generations of Faith Religious Formation for the vicariate is also in place. The vicariate is currently working with New Detroit in assisting us to develop our capacity in our outreach to the poor especially in the are of food distribution. We were recipients of one grant that helped us to begin to network in order to build our capacity. Meetings of all interested parishes have taken place to begin planning. The vicariate has been awarded a second grant to help us in the development of a structure to work within a collaborative model, develop a board, networking, and grant writing. This will begin in late January. Coordinated by Sister Eileen Lantzy.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The vicariate is to be commended for responding to this with Hispanic ministry being developed in neighborhoods and responding to the growth along the Michigan Ave, Corridor. The vicariate is also commended for developing ministry specific cross vicariate teams to implement this goal. The vicariate should provide updated reports as progress continues.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The vicariate suggests a team approach with assigned individuals from Central Services to work with the Vicariate and region to coordinate available Archdiocesan and community resources, i.e. buildings, education, community outreach, grants. The Vicariate needs to provide an update on how parishes are collaborating, particularly for Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation for the Hispanic community, and for outreach.

4. By March 2007 St. Andrew, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Anthony Lithuanian will submit detailed plans for merging or closing when their pastor can no longer serve.

2006 Progress Reported: Our Lady of Mount Carmel has already begun discussion of various possibilities for their parish. St. Andrew is looking at a merger with one of the parishes in their area. Initial discussion has taken place with the pastor. The pastor at St. Anthony plans to remain for one more year, after which the parish will close.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The parishes and vicariate are to be commended for their progress in these areas.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The Vicariate needs to develop cluster and/or merger possibilities with Our Lady Queen of Angels. St. Anthony Lithuanian is to develop plans for when they will close. St. Andrew closed on September 7, 2008.

5.Ste. Anne, Holy Redeemer and St. Francis D'Assisi should complete capital improvements as needed and as funds are available.

2006 Progress Reported: Major roof repairs are being undertaken at Holy Redeemer and St. Francis D'Assisi.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The goal is being met for these three parishes. However the Tracking Committee would encourage the rest of the parishes in the vicariate to assess the need for capital improvements or repairs/renovations in the next five years. This assessment should take into consideration a deferred maintenance plan, including schedules, projected costs and the source of funds for completion.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The needs for capital improvements were not addressed, and should be.

6. The Vicariate should work with the Department of Education regarding charter school rental income and financial support of the schools.

2006 Progress Reported: 75% of the 15% assessment of parishes with charter schools will remain in the vicariate. The remaining 25% will be used for the general fund.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The Tracking Committee commends the vicariate on the completion of this goal.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The Vicariate is looking forward to the Christo Rey School opening in fall 2008, but has not addressed financial support of all schools. There is little communication between the Vicariate Council and parishes and schools.

General Update:

2006: The vicar and regional bishop have been in discussions with the P.I.M.E Community. It appears that they would like to make a commitment to mission in the Southwest Vicariate. They have already committed one priest to help in the development of ministry in the Michigan Corridor. The current provincial is in dialogue with their administration in Rome to talk about some possibilities. They truly believe that our area is "mission territory." There may be a possibility that they would be willing to staff a parish in the Michigan Corridor. They would not be able at this time to name a pastor. Therefore, a canonically acceptable structure, i.e. a pastor named for several parishes, with the sacramental and pastoral responsibility being the focus of others. They currently have a few men in formation in Mexico that are American born. A tentative timeline for this to occur is between one and two years. This could have an effect especially on what is being asked in #2 and #3.

In sharing the above, it is my hope that the Tracking committee recognizes that the vicariate has done its best to remain faithful to the spirit of the recommendations (especially as it relates to #2 and 3) of the Together In Faith Committee. There has been some initiative taken in these two areas. I personally feel that more time is needed if we are to effectively create good models. It is my hope that the committee can view these areas as a work in progress.

2007: The Tracking Committee commends the vicariate for its embrace of the spirit of the Together in Faith plan and process. That spirit is evident in all of their work. The vicariate is encouraged to collaborate on all aspects of the TIF plan including the newly emerging areas.

2008: Since 2007, has your vicariate made any significant changes, amendments or additions to your TIF Plan? Please describe, including rationale for change, timeline and projected outcomes. Attach any detailed reports.