SPRING 2015
The Newsletter of Catholic Leadership Institute
Called, Transformed, Sent Parishioners Share in Parish Transformation
The image below depicts a post card given to the people at St. Joseph’s Parish in Norman, OK to communicate its Parish Priority Plan, story on page 3. The image reflects the parish’s sacred purpose to ‘Go Make Disciples!’ as we are called to do by Jesus. On the back read the priorities and goals that the parish discerned in support of its sacred purpose. The onlookers are diverse in age, status, race, and struggle. See if you can find yourself in this crowd.
LEADERSHIP in the Joy of the Gospel By Matthew F. Manion, President & CEO “... I have done so, not with the intention of providing an exhaustive treatise but simply as a way of showing their important practical implications for the Church’s mission today. All of them help give shape to a definite style of evangelization which I ask you to adopt in every activity which you undertake,” (EG 18). In 2013 Pope Francis published Evangelii Gaudium. In the quote above he makes clear that this apostolic exhortation is not solely a theological discussion on the foundation of the New Evangelization; it is a practical guide to living authentically Catholic lives. In support of all those associated with the ministry of Catholic Leadership Institute, in the coming year I will be sharing leadership reflections inspired by Evangelii Gaudium that can be applied in your daily life in concrete ways. Leadership in any setting can seem daunting, and it is certainly not without its challenges. Pope Francis also reminds us though that “Wherever the need for the light and life of the Risen Christ is greatest, it will want to be there.” (EG 30). At Catholic Leadership Institute in our Prayer for Leaders, we ask each day for God to create among us individuals made in His image who will apply His teachings in our lives to positively impact our families, our workplaces, our communities, and our Church. It’s been a blessing in my life to meet and work with men and women striving to do just that. In focusing on leadership through the lens of the true joy of the Gospel, your potential for positive impact is limitless. I pray these reflections help you fulfill that potential. Let me conclude by saying thank you to all of you for making our ministry possible. Through your kind generosity, we are able to help transform parish and diocesan life!
Discerning Insights About Leadership 1 Life grows by being given away and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and put out into the deep, becoming more excited by the mission of communicating life to others. The Gospel offers us a chance to live life on a higher plane. As a leader, do you surround yourself with people who are just like yourself and say yes too easily? What are you willing to risk for the sake of the Kingdom? To sign up to receive these weekly leadership reflections, please email info@catholicleaders.org.
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EPISCOPAL ADVISORY BOARD Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond Archbishop of New Orleans, LA Episcopal Moderator His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap. Archbishop of Boston, MA His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins Archbishop of Toronto, ON Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson Archbishop of St. Louis, MO Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. Archbishop of San Antonio, TX Most Rev. José H. Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles, CA Most Rev. George J. Lucas Archbishop of Omaha, NE Most Rev. Thomas G. Wenski Archbishop of Miami, FL Most Rev. Kevin Rhoades Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend Most Rev. William S. Skylstad Bishop Emeritus of Spokane, WA Most Rev. David A. Zubik Bishop of Pittsburgh, PA Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas Bishop of Toldeo, OH FOUNDER Timothy Flanagan CHAIR Michael J. Emmi BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dena Bartlett Bernarda Neal Timothy C. Flanagan William Orosz, Jr. Frank Hanna, III David Savage Thomas Heule Stephen Stumpf Arthur Mullin Christine Youngblood PRESIDENT AND CEO Matthew F. Manion NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD His Eminence Seán Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap. Co-chair The Hon. R. James Nicholson Co-chair Edward Cook Martha Lyles Kathy Craft Admiral Tom Lynch James Davis Admiral Michael Mullen James Delaney Arthur Mullin Jacqueline Delaney Bernarda Neal Dr. Edwin Feulner Brian O’Toole Richard Lyles Diane Simowitz Phyllis Taylor
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Operating With the Future in Mind Transforming Parish Life... “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” -John 16:13 The Envisioning Team at St. Joseph’s Parish in Norman, OK with Lucille Smith and Marie Graney of CLI
What’s the Plan? This is a question that we ask ourselves and those around us regularly. Where are we going? Why this and not that? What is the plan? Without a plan or a concept of what the future holds, be that future the next hour or the next three years, there is no progress, only forward motion. Typically, you and I are responsible for knowing the plan for our own lives, our own futures. We just have to know our own plan and perhaps the plan for our family or close friends. Pastors need to know the plan for hundreds of families, and the stakes are high. Priests and Catholics around the country see Mass attendance dropping and parish communities drifting further from the embrace of Jesus and His church every day. Some Church leaders see these downward trends and imagine that there is little that can be done. Two parishes in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City have an answer. God has asked us to be His hands for Him on this Earth. What’s the plan? They each wrote one. Father Scott Boeckman and Father Rex Arnold of St. Joseph’s and St. John Nepomuk Parishes, respectively, contracted with Catholic Leadership Institute to bring priority planning to their parishes. Priority planning is one of the parish-centric services
Catholic Leadership Institute developed to better serve our priest graduates of Good Leaders, Good Shepherds. It is a ninemonth process that brings the leadership of a parish together with a Catholic Leadership Institute trained facilitator to discern a focused and succinct purpose, core values, priorities, and SMART goals for the parish as a whole. This service was developed with the needs of our pastors in mind, as well as Proverbs 29:18 which tells us “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Parish Priority Planning has at its heart the concept that where there is vision, the people become parish. These two faith communities share an Archdiocese, but their parishioners and plans are unique. One of CLI’s new Vice Presidents of Episcopal & Client Services, Lucille Smith, led the teams at St. Joseph’s and St. John Nepomuk on different paths towards focused priority plans. “I loved being with two parishes so close to one another and working with pastors who are good friends, while those parishes are facing really unique needs,” Lucille explained. “Both came out of the process with such different priority plans, but both were what they needed to be.” St. Joseph’s in Norman, OK is a multicultural parish seeking to honor the traditions of its past while welcoming the demographic shift in their present. In a homily given on the first Sunday of Lent, St. Joseph’s pastor Father Scott Boeckman offered his reflection on what St. Joseph’s faces today, “You know, over the last 20 years here, we have (continued on page 6) 3
Father in Heaven, Renew your wonders in ou Transforming Diocesan Life...
Father in Heaven, renew your wonders in our time, as though by a new Pentacost, and g mind, together with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and guided by Sts. Joseph and Anne, m love and peac city’s parishes were having serious financial difficulties. It is estimated that only 20,000 of the 80,000 professed Catholics left in the City of Detroit attend church functions regularly. Those are the numbers. The people that Catholic Leadership Institute Vice President of Episcopal & Client Services Mike Fullam has met while working closely with the Archbishop, leadership teams and staff members– the faithful who are living and working in a city that just a few months ago declared bankruptcy – they have shown Mike not defeat, but passion. “What’s clear is how much they love God and the Church. They want more people to experience faith and Christ – they really, truly, and sincerely want to reach people. It is a privilege to be there with them.” St. Leo Catholic Church (pictured) will merge with St. Cecilia Parish as part of Archdiocesan restructuring.
Asking God for a new Pentecost to renew your city is a prayer which takes great courage. Courage to ask for something that may seem difficult or unlikely. Courage to face what comes next when the answer from God is ‘yes.’
Catholic Leadership Institute’s relationship with the Archdiocese has evolved from a single cohort of priests going through Good Leaders, Good Shepherds in 2007-2008 to a suite of planning and formation services adapted specifically to the needs of Detroit’s present reality.
The Archdiocese of Detroit is responding with courage. The Catholic leaders in the Archdiocese are not merely greeting the Lord when they see Him, but calling out to Him and earnestly preparing for His response.
Currently, Catholic Leadership Institute is working with the Archdiocese’s Central Services Staff (their chancery), consulting with former Catholic Leadership Institute Leadership Consultant Bishop
In his fervor for Jesus to reign in the city of Detroit, Archbishop Allen Vigneron has invited Catholic Leadership Institute to form his people as more confident and competent leaders for the Church. Catholic Leadership Institute was welcomed by a city that to some might not seem like a place primed for a renewal of faith. According to the 2011 US Census, Detroit’s population dropped 25% over the last decade to its lowest level in a century. In 2012 the Detroit Free Press published that ~35% of the Father John Riccardo offers hope and a focus on mission over maintenence. 4
our time...
d grant that your Holy Church in Detroit, praying perseveringly and insistently with one e, may increase the reign of the Divine Savior, the reign of truth and justice, the reign of peace. Amen. Michael Byrnes and his leadership team, assisting in the planning of a convocation for priests, and working with the Archdiocese towards a 2016 Synod. With the Central Services Staff, Catholic Leadership Institute focuses on leading with clarity and skill. This training is also being offered at a transition point for Detroit, as all central offices and 183 employees of the Archdiocese move from two offices into one centralized location.
This multi-service partnership with the people of Detroit is a commitment to building a focused Church for Christ; a Church better able to meet its people where they are and minister to them wherever that may be. A central staff fully formed to lead like Jesus is critical to the future of the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Allen Vigneron, Archdiocese of Detroit
The consulting work with Bishop Byrnes and his leadership team focuses on how to Build and Maintain a Cohesive Leadership Team as well as facilitation and counsel as the team moves closer to its upcoming Synod. The Bishop and his cabinet are working to develop quality, collaborative relationships among themselves and became a strong, focused leadership team for the Archdiocese. Father John Riccardo is the pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, MI and serves as a member of the leadership team working with Catholic Leadership Insti-
God’s truth is found in His love for each of us, and Archbishop Vigneron is investing in that truth. A few months into the process, Archbishop Vigneron reflected in an interview with The Michigan Catholic that “… if you are the leader, if you are the father of the family, you need to do the right thing for the service of the community entrusted to you. And move ahead with confidence.”
Under Archbishop Vigneron’s leadership, the Archdiocese of Detroit is refusing to be defined by statistics. With this formation for courageous leadership in place, the Archdiocese of Detroit in partnership with Catholic Leadership Institute is moving ahead with confidence towards a vibrant future and a new Pentecost. Thank you for your kind support of our ministry that is making this transformation a reality.
“What’s clear is how much they love God and the Church. They want more people to experience faith and Christ – they really, truly, and sincerely want to reach people.”
Who We Serve
“The move into our new chancery building makes tremendous financial sense to us and also helps us by having everyone together in one building, working cooperatively and creating possibilities for a more direct collaboration,” says Archbishop Vigneron. He also adds that it is important for the archdiocese to keep its central operations in the city. “Remaining downtown and coming into the Capitol Park district allows the Church to continue to be a part of the rebirth of the City of Detroit.” The consolidation and move into one building was completed in early March.
tute in Detroit. “In a particular way with the team, there has been a noticeable change. The team has really begun to benefit from the work that I did with Catholic Leadership Institute and that Catholic Leadership Institute is now doing with the team as a whole. We’re at the place where we’re moving past the artificial harmony that often exists on teams to get to a place of trust and accountability. That’s been great and really productive.” Fr. Riccardo is also a Good Leaders, Good Shepherds graduate from the fourth class of priests to go through the program in Detroit in 2012-2013.
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Operating With the Future in Mind (continued from page 3) gone from 5% of our community being of Hispanic origin to 45%. In the midst of this, people still desire unity and integration… the people who make up the Hispanic community at St. Joseph’s are a blessing.” The integration of past and present has not been an easy one at St. Joseph’s, and past attempts to survey the parish population resulted in a lot of questions but few answers. Deacon Jeff Willard has been with St. Joseph’s for eighteen years and witnessed the demographics start shifting around him about twenty years ago. For him, the listening sessions that are part of the nine-month process were key to understanding what ‘church’ means at St. Joseph’s.
blessing, to have a future and a hope. We wouldn’t have that without Catholic Leadership Institute.” Father Rex Arnold and St. John Nepomuk Parish face a renewed focus on formation, communication and outreach. The parish will communicate a unifying message of “Building, Bridging, Being.” “I think it’s vitally important for parishes to do this. Sometimes we get in a rut and this allows you to step back and look at where you’ve been, where you think you want to go, and determine a plan of how best to get there,” Deacon Dan Lombardi offered after the priority plan for St John Nopamuk’s was complete. “It doesn’t mean [the plan] can’t change, but my time in the military taught me this, you have to talk things through and look at where you’ve been and what needs to happen going forward. It’s also a unifying factor for those involved in the effort to press forward and build energy. I think in our society, if we are stagnant, really we are backing up.”
“Working for the church, you’re often rattled by the few people that say negative things and you disregard the positive. Even the way that CLI sets up the listening sessions, the structure doesn’t allow them to become complaining sessions. It really allows for positive input. When [the envisioning team] looked at all those ideas we came to the realization that there were a lot of things that seemed to matter that we didn’t know mattered to the people. I don’t know any other way we would have seen what was going on in the hearts and minds of the people other than the way we Mass at St. John Nepomuk Parish did it with Catholic Leadership Institute.” The envisioning team offered two listening sessions in Spanish in an attempt to reach the full spectrum of its parishioners. “The feedback was very similar to what we heard in the English sessions. It was inspiring to us because we had been operating under the pretense that we had two parishes under one roof and in truth we have two peoples that are longing to be one.” Where some parishes are cancelling Mass times, St. Joseph’s is adding one – a Spanish Mass at 8:30am. While shaking up the Mass schedule is bound to ruffle feathers, for St. Joseph’s, its sacred purpose to ‘Go Make Disciples’ matters more. The new Mass time is just one part of the priority plan. Deacon Jeff, along with the inspiring team of people that contributed to this effort, believes this plan is what St. Joseph’s was searching for. “Before this, we really operated week to week. Now we are operating with the future in mind, and that is such a great
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The second of three priorities discerned by the team at St. John Nepomuk Parish centers on internal communication. The planning process itself was an important first step towards inviting different voices into the conversation. Parishioners shared their insights with their envisioning team and Fr. Arnold’s leadership fostered ownership of the plan and greater teamwork within the parish walls. There are fruits still to bear from executing these priorities, but participating in the process improved parish unity and excitement to move forward. The feedback from St. Joseph’s rings true for these two parishes – they are two peoples longing to be one with Christ. The decision made by Father Boeckman and Father Arnold to bring together a team and work with Catholic Leadership Institute was both timely and effective. The transformation taking place at St. Joseph’s and St.. John Nepomuk Parishes would not have been possible without the generous support of benefactors throughout the coutnry. Your donations, no matter how big or small, are truly changing the face of the Catholic Church.
“Before this, we really operated week to week. Now we are operating with the future in mind, and that is such a great blessing, to have a future and a hope.”
CLI in Rome
At the end of 2014, Lucille Smith, Vice President of Episcopal & Client Services, and Father Sean Horrigan of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston met with Archbishop Wong, Secretary for Seminaries at the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy. The meeting centered on Catholic Leadership Institute’s integrated approach to leadership formation as well as programming specifically designed for seminarians.
2014 Outstanding Catholic Leader Award
John Templeton Foundation
CLI is pleased to announce it has received a $200,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation. These funds will support the Disciple Maker Index which provides pastors with relevant metrics to help them make confident and informed decisions for their flocks.
The 2014 recipient of the Award for Outstanding Catholic Leadership is Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Archbishop Coakley was selected for his leadership in his Archdiocese during this critical period in the American Catholic Church as well as his work with Catholic Relief Services. “Catholic Leadership Institute is blessed to honor outstanding Catholic leaders and Christian witnesses like Archbishop Coakley for their commitment to living and sharing the Gospel values with passion and humility,” said Catholic Leadership Institute Founder, Timothy C. Flanagan.
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“... this type of training... [for me] it’s a no-brainer and visibly critical.” Supporter Profile: Nicholas Gibboni Catholic leaders who participate in CLI programs desire to better lead in alignment with the model of Jesus. It is CLI’s mission to provide crucial support to Catholic leaders who seek to strengthen their confidence and competence in service to the children of God. Every Catholic Leadership Institute donor has a critical impact on the renewal of the Catholic Church. In a particular way, donors who give monthly sustain Catholic Leadership Institute’s ministry, cover ongoing program costs, and serve as the backbone of CLI’s Annual Fund. If monthly giving sounds like a fit for you, please click ‘Give Today’ at www.catholicleaders.org. Q: Describe your personal journey as an active Catholic: A: I’m a cradle Catholic… and I come from a very devout family. When I went to college in the bible belt of Pennsylvania at Millersville University, [I realized] I had never really been challenged on my faith. I went to high school with mostly Catholics, so when I went out to Lancaster, I was surrounded by people who were anti-Catholic for the first time. I took their word on everything and left the Church. After a little while– there was actually a great Catholic campus ministry program there– I visited the campus ministry office and brought a list [of challenges to the faith] – I thought I was going to convert the priest! He was a great young guy who smiled and took a look at the list. He really patiently, one at a time, went through and answered my questions. He was patient with me and opened up my eyes. I then went on a retreat with the Diocese of Harrisburg (SEARCH). I had the intellectual side now, and this retreat kindled a spiritual spark in me. I reverted pretty hard and I’ve been active ever since.
Q: What inspired you to support Catholic Leadership Institute? A: I had such a good campus ministry experience once I came back to the Church, and I got to know priests and friends who went on to become priests in the Diocese of Harrisburg. As I’ve maintained friendships with them, I’ve seen that they’re thrown into positions where they are trained in ministering to souls but then expected to do so much more. I’ve also seen priests like Father Chris Walsh, who speaks so highly of the training. It’s
clearly beneficial from a practical standpoint, and [a priest’s] job is more important than so many other fields where people already have this type of training… [for me] it’s a no-brainer and visibly critical.
Q: Why did you decide to support Catholic Leadership Institute as a monthly donor? A: I had the opportunity to meet with Matt [Manion, CEO & President of CLI] when I was trying to make organizational decisions myself and needed input from someone with experience in that arena. When I spoke with Matt and learned more about what Catholic Leadership Institute was doing, I was able to really focus on the mission, which caused me to pause. I’ve always been fully on board with Catholic Leadership Institute’s mission. When I see how effectively it’s being done and how well Catholic Leadership Institute seems to be carrying out its mission, it seems not only a worthwhile cause, but I trust that the money that I’m giving is being used effectively.
Q: What else would you like to share with our supporters? A: I wish that the training that Catholic Leadership Institute offers could be available to more lay people […] and to more priests. I have seen first-hand a priest that has come through Catholic Leadership Institute’s program and personally reorganized and re-vitalized the pro-life scene. He’s a strong adherent of Catholic Leadership Institute and recommends it to all those he meets. I’m so grateful for the vision of Catholic Leadership Institute and I hope you continue to reach as many priests as you can.
Nick Gibboni works as the Director of Operations at The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal & The Miraculous Medal Shrine and serves as the Chairman of the Board for The Catholic Professionals of Greater Philadelphia.
Special Thanks Catholic Leadership Institute is very grateful to John Patrick Publishing who generously donates the printing of this full-color newsletter 8 in support of the mission of building Catholic leaders for today and tomorrow.
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