Cluster Plan Organization Options Names of Parishes (Cities): ASPECT OF PARISH Pastoral Leadership Deacon(s) Pastoral Staff Administrative Services Parish Office Catholic School(s) Trustees Pastoral Council Finance Council Committees Funding for Shared Ministers/Ministries One Pastor Serve All Parishes Separate Staff One Certified Director of Administrative Services Single School Supported by Single Parish Separate Offices Single School Supported by Area Parishes Both on Pastoral and Finance Councils Joint Meeting and Separate Council Meetings Separate Committees OPTIONS Associate Pastor/Parochial Vicar Request a Deacon for All Parishes Certified DAS in each parish Area Schools Sharing Positions and/or Governance One Office Consolidated/ Regionalization of Schools One on Pastoral, one on Finance Combined Council Joint meeting with separate council meetings Equal Assessment Some Shared Staff Some Shared One Staff Combined Committees Proportional Assessment Based on Number of Parishioners
Guide to Cluster Plan Organization Options This guide is a companion to the Cluster Plan Organization Options so the form can be easily reviewed and discussed in order for the cluster leadership to reach consensus on the organizational model for the cluster. The completion of a plan can be accomplished in three (3) easy steps. 1. Each pastoral council member should be given a copy of the Cluster Plan Organization Options and the Guide. The member should complete his or her option preferences prior to the parish pastoral council meeting which will determine the preferred plan of the parish. 2. Each parish pastoral council meets to reach consensus on their preferred options for the cluster. (If the parishes already have a shared council, this step can be skipped.) 3. All the parish pastoral councils in the cluster (or a pre-determined number of representatives from each parish pastoral council) meet to reach consensus on the plan. After final review and signatures, the plan is submitted to the Office for Planning and Councils for review and then approval by the Archbishop. Each option under a specific aspect of parish ministry is explained below. Pastoral Leadership Deacon(s) One Pastor When a cluster is put in place, the Archbishop will assign one pastor for the entire cluster. Associate Pastor/Parochial Vicar if the cluster is of a size where additional priests are available/needed, other priest(s) can be assigned. Serve All Parishes When a cluster is put in place, the assignments of deacons will be changed so that they serve all the parishes in the cluster. Request a Deacon for All Parishes Cluster s which do not have any deacons may request the assignment of a deacon. The request is not a guarantee that a deacon will be available. Separate Staffs Parishes in a cluster can function with their own staffs. Pastoral Staff Some Shared Staff Parishes may find it advantageous to look at ways of combining some ministries or allowing some staff to specialize in certain areas of ministry at all the parishes in the cluster. One Staff Parishes can plan to eventually have one staff for all the parishes in the cluster. Administrative Services One Certified Director of Administrative Services One DAS for all the parishes. Certified DAS in each parish Each parish has its own Director.
Parish Office Separate Offices Each parish retains its own office or there are multiple office sites, not necessarily at every site. One Office All the parish offices are combined at one site. Single School Supported by Single Parish Each parish school is operated and funded by a single parish. Catholic School(s) Single School Supported by Area Parishes All the parishes in the cluster support the Catholic school by promoting enrollment and providing a financial subsidy. Area Schools Sharing Positions and/or Governance School ministry is shared by all the parishes and includes shared governance and staffing. Consolidated/Regionalization of Schools Cluster participates in a larger school entity serving a geographical area which may be achieved by the consolidation of school sites. Both on Pastoral and Finance Councils Both trustees serve on both councils. Trustees Pastoral Council Finance Council One on Pastoral, one on Finance In clusters with larger numbers of parishes, pastoral councils can be primarily made up of trustees. Splitting the trustee assignments can provide for more at large members. Joint Meeting and Separate Council Meetings The pastoral councils meet on same evening jointly to discuss cluster items and then separately to discuss parish issues. Combined Council There is one pastoral council with includes representatives from each parish in the cluster. Joint meeting with separate council meetings Each parish must retain its own financial council. However, the councils meet jointly to discuss cluster items and then separately to discuss parish issues. Separate Committees Each parish retains its own committees. Committees Some Shared Some committees may be shared because of shared staff or a desire for greater committee effectiveness. Combined Committees All committees are shared for greater committee effectiveness. Funding for Shared Ministers/ Ministries Equal Assessment When there are parishes of equal sizes in a cluster, each parish can be assessed an equal share of joint expenses. Proportional Assessment Based on Number of Parishioners When there are parishes of varying memberships, assessments are determined by a formula based on the total number of parishioners in the cluster and the percentage of members from each parish.
Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies Parish/Catholic Institution: City: Evangelization and the Sunday Mass Mission Connection: Encounter Jesus and grow as disciples through the sacramental life of the Church 1. Check appropriate category: Part of a parish cluster group Free standing parish Catholic institution other than a parish 2. For those who are part of a cluster How will you implement the first-year strategies in the area of Evangelization and the Sunday Mass? As a cluster As individual parishes and inform the cluster parishes what we are doing 3. Describe the strategies you will be using to implement initiatives in the area of Evangelization and the Sunday Mass:
Signature Page This cluster plan has been determined through consensus by the leadership of the following parish communities on the following date. Pastor, Parish, City Trustee Secretary, Parish, City Trustee Treasurer, Parish, City Chair of Pastoral Council, Parish, City
Introduction to Agendas for Meetings (For Free-Standing and Cluster Parishes) Purpose: These agendas are designed to assist parishes in the development of a preliminary cluster plan and to determine first-year strategies for Synod implementation. Facilitation: Parishes can use these agendas or adapt them and provide their own facilitation. Parishes or clusters are also invited to take advantage of free-facilitation services from the Archdiocese. There are several skilled facilitators available. The facilitators will be coordinated through the Office for Planning and Councils. Contact Mark Kemmeter by kemmeterm@archmil.org or call 414-769-3352. Agendas Included in this Packet: All the agendas in this packet are also available on-line. The on-line agendas are able to be modified for individual parish or cluster use. There are five (5) different agendas which address different steps in the development of an organizational plan and Synod implementation strategies. Each agenda highlights the participants and the outcomes of the gathering. Meeting #1 (for Free-Standing Parishes) This agenda is designed for parishes which do not have cluster partners in the 2020 Plan. Meeting #1 (for Cluster Parishes) This agenda is designed as an organizational meeting for cluster leaders to set a timeline and schedule dates for council meetings and a meeting of all the councils in the cluster. If a cluster already has a combined council, this step may not be needed. Meeting #2 (for Cluster Parishes) This agenda is designed for each pastoral council to determined its preferred organizational plan and first-year Synod strategies. If there is a cluster council already in place, this step may not be needed. Meeting #3 (for Cluster Parishes) This agenda is designed for all the pastoral councils in a cluster or representatives from each of those councils to determine a cluster organizational plan and determine how the first-year Synod strategies will be implemented. Optional Parish Meeting (for Free-Standing and Cluster Parishes) This agenda is for an optional meeting of leaders and interested parishioners to learn and discuss summary information from the district gathering and to provide input for the first-year strategies and future organization of the parish or cluster. This meeting can be scheduled at any point in the process but may be most effective prior to the meeting at which plans will be finalized. When Your Plans Are Completed: The completed and approved Cluster Plan Organization Options (free-standing parishes do not complete this form) and the Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies form, along with the signature page(s), is sent to Mark Kemmeter at the Office for Planning and Councils, kemmeterm@archmil.org or by mail. The plans will be reviewed and forwarded to Archbishop Listecki for his approval which will be acknowledged by mail.
Meeting #1 (For Free-Standing Parishes) Meeting of Parish Pastoral Council After the District Gathering (Each council member should review the Cluster Organization Plan Options and Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies prior to the meeting) Participants: Outcomes: Pastoral Council members Review of parish organization for ministry and determine parish first-year strategies for Synod implementation. Agenda I. Prayer for the Mission of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee II. III. IV. Review highlights of district gathering (Powerpoint is available online/handouts) Part 1: Are there any take aways for our parish from the Cluster Organization Plan Options? discussion Part 2: Determining members preferences for Synod First-Year Strategies A. Each council member shares a preferred first-year strategy B. Identify those activities which received the highest priority C. Each council member is asked whether his/her preference has changed after hearing all the suggested strategies D. Reach consensus on a common strategy or strategies V. Other parish considerations: A. Should the parish schedule a meeting for parishioners to consult on the information from the district gathering and the Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies plan? (See Optional Parish Meeting Agenda) B. Assign writer(s) to develop web and bulletin communications for the parish C. When Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies plan is finalized, complete the form and signature page then mail or email to: Office for Planning and Councils, c/o kemmeterm@archmil.org. VI. Other council items may be added to the agenda VII. Closing prayer/blessing
Meeting #1 (For Cluster Parishes) Initial Cluster Meeting for Pastors and Pastoral Council Chairs To determine process for preliminary plan and Synod implementation (Facilitation is available) Participants: Outcomes: Pastors and Pastoral Council chairs from each parish Determine a timeline for pastoral council meetings and a date for a joint meeting of councils. Agenda I. Welcome and Introductions (5M) II. III. IV. Prayer for the Mission of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (5M) Review sample agendas for parish pastoral council and cluster meetings (10M) Determine a timeline/dates for individual council meetings, leading to a meeting of all councils (15M) (If a combined council is already in place, there is no need for individual council meetings) V. Determine whether all council members will attend the meeting or representatives from each parish pastoral council (15M) (If there are more than three parishes in the cluster, representatives may allow for the cluster meeting to be more manageable.) VI. VII. Optional decisions for the cluster meeting (15M) A. Determine who will facilitate the meeting (Facilitation is available for this meeting) B. Determine whether there will be a follow up meeting in each parish for parishioners to review the preliminary cluster plan and Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies plan (See Optional Parish Meeting Agenda) Communication to parishes (10M) A. A summary handout of the cluster plan and Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies should be made available for all parish bulletins B. A way to report on any follow up meetings of the clustering parishes should be developed VIII. Concluding prayer/blessing (5M)
Meeting #2 (For Cluster Parishes) Meeting of Parish Pastoral Council After the District Gathering (Each council member should review and complete the Cluster Organization Plan Options and Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies ) Participants: Outcomes: Pastoral Council members Determine preferred parish cluster and preferred first-year strategies for Synod implementation. Agenda I. Prayer for the Mission of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee II. III. IV. Review highlights of district gathering (Powerpoint is available online/handouts) Part 1: Determining members preferences for the cluster plan A. Go through each aspect of ministry allowing each member to speak a preference B. Identify areas of agreement and disagreement C. Discuss disagreements D. Reach consensus on a preferred plan E. Remind members that the same process will be used to develop the cluster plan (Optional) Parish representatives to the cluster meeting are selected at this time if that option has been chosen V. Part 2: Determining members preferences for Synod First-Year Strategies A. Each council member shares a preferred strategy B. Identify those activities which received the highest priority C. Each council member is asked whether his/her preference has changed after hearing all the strategies D. Reach consensus on a common strategy or strategies E. Remind members that the same process will be used at the cluster meeting. It is possible that the cluster may decide to have each parish develop its own initiatives rather than working on them together. VI. VII. Other council items may be added to the agenda Closing prayer/blessing
Meeting #3 (For Cluster Parishes) Meeting of councils to complete preliminary cluster plan and Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies (Facilitation is available) Participants: Outcomes: Pastoral Council members or representatives from each council Complete preliminary cluster plan and determine first-year strategies for Synod implementation. Agenda I. Welcome and Introductions II. III. IV. Prayer for the Mission of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Overview of the meeting Part 1: Determining parish preferences for the cluster plan A. Allow each parish to present the preferences for the cluster plan B. Identify areas of agreement and disagreement C. Discuss disagreements D. Reach consensus on a preferred plan V. Part 2: Determining parish preferences for Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies A. Allow each parish to present preferred Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies B. Identify top strategies C. Reach consensus on whether cluster will work together on a common strategy or strategies or whether each parish will develop individual strategies with regular reporting of progress between parishes VI. VII. Other cluster considerations: A. Should each parish schedule a meeting for parishioners to consult on cluster and Synod Implementation First-Year Strategy plans? (See Optional Parish Meeting Agenda) B. Assign writers to develop web and bulletin communication on cluster plans C. When plans and strategies are finalized, complete the signature page and mail or email to: Office for Planning and Councils, c/o kemmeterm@archmil.org D. Determine a future meeting plan for the cluster parishes Closing prayer/blessing
Optional Parish Meeting Meeting of parishioners to consult on highlights of the district gathering (Information for use at the meeting should be available on the parish website. Parishioners who are unable to attend the meeting can access the information at the site as well. Attendees should pre-register for the meeting so that the room is properly prepared for those in attendance.) Participants: Outcomes: Staff, council members, committee members, interested parishioners Review highlights of district gathering and consult on organization plan and first-year Synod implementation strategies. Agenda I. Welcome and introduction by pastor or council chair II. III. IV. Prayer for the Mission of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Review highlights of district gathering (Powerpoint is available online/handouts) Discuss data/demographics in small or large group - What appears hopeful for the future? - What is the greatest concern? V. Present the Cluster Organization Plan Options - (Free-standing parishes) Discuss whether any organization changes should be considered. - (Cluster parishes) Discuss either participants preferences or the recommended preference of the council. VI. VII. Present the Synod Implementation First-Year Strategies - Discuss the suggested strategies and other possible strategies - Determine the two or three most preferred strategies Thank you/final comments from pastor or council chair VIII. Closing prayer/blessing