frequently asked questions about the collaborative
When Parishes are going through significant change there is much misinformation and rumors which can be very destructive. The best way to stop the rumors and misinformation is with the truth. Below are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the collaborative. When you hear someone who is misinformed please refer them to this website and list of FAQs.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS STILL TO BE TAKEN IN THE PASTORAL PLANNING PROCESS? There are about 80 people from these three parishes involved in the Pastoral Planning process broken into six Ministry Subcommittees: Finances & Administration, Evangelization & Vocations, Sacraments & Liturgy, Youth Faith Formation, Adult Faith Formation, Community Outreach & Service. These six subcommittees have been working on a Pastoral Plan for these three Parishes in their respective areas of Parish Life. By August 5 these six committees will send their portion of the plan to the bishop for his review. At the end of August there will be a tri-parish Assembly with the Bishop at St. Anthony Parish. All members of all three Parishes are invited to this assembly. At this Assembly the plans will be formally presented to the bishop for his public acceptance and comments. This will take place in the Church followed by a celebration in the Hall. The date of this tri-parish assembly with the Bishop has not yet been chosen, but will be announced soon. If you want to see a Pastoral Plan, the plan for the Falmouth Collaborative is on line. Click here to view.
WHAT IS A COLLABORATIVE OR LINKED PARISHES? At its most basic level Linked Parishes are parishes that share a pastor, or a Pastor and Assistant Pastor. (See canon 526.1 and 717.1). As of July 1 of 2019 St Anthony, St Jude, and St. Mary are linked parishes because they share Co-Pastors: Fr. Fred Babiczuk and Fr. Thomas Costa.
There is much more to linked parishes than sharing priests. Bishop Da Cunha wants linked Parishes to have one Administrative team to care for all Administrative and Financial matters in the collaborative, and also one Pastoral Team to take care for all Pastoral needs in the collaborative. An important part of this Administration team is the appointment a lay administrator to oversee buildings, finances, and administration so that the priests can focus upon pastoral ministry.
We are not even close to developing these shared Administration team and Pastoral Team.
In the Strategic Plan which led to the formation of this collaborative, other aspects of linked Parish were outlined.
Another important aspect of linked Parishes is that they have a shared Pastoral Plan. The six ministry subcommittees of Pastoral Planning are finalizing the shared Pastoral Plan to be presented to the bishop late in August at a tri-parish Assembly.
Linked parish also have a shared “coordinating council” which will function as both a Pastoral and Financial Council for the collaborative. The “coordinating council” will have equal members from all three Parish. This council has not yet been appointed.
There is much more to linked parishes than sharing priests. Bishop Da Cunha wants linked Parishes to have one Administrative team to care for all Administrative and Financial matters in the collaborative, and also one Pastoral Team to take care for all Pastoral needs in the collaborative. An important part of this Administration team is the appointment a lay administrator to oversee buildings, finances, and administration so that the priests can focus upon pastoral ministry.
We are not even close to developing these shared Administration team and Pastoral Team.
In the Strategic Plan which led to the formation of this collaborative, other aspects of linked Parish were outlined.
- Shared administrative staff.
- Parishes remain independent canonical entities.
- Separate Finance Councils (required).
- Separate or shared Parish Council (required).
- Shared committee structure.
- Accrued debts and assets remain with each separate parish.
Another important aspect of linked Parishes is that they have a shared Pastoral Plan. The six ministry subcommittees of Pastoral Planning are finalizing the shared Pastoral Plan to be presented to the bishop late in August at a tri-parish Assembly.
Linked parish also have a shared “coordinating council” which will function as both a Pastoral and Financial Council for the collaborative. The “coordinating council” will have equal members from all three Parish. This council has not yet been appointed.
WHY IS THE BISHOP ESTABLISHING LINKED PARISHES? The basic most reason is that the diocese is running out of priest. The Diocese estimates that in five years they will have 50 active priests to serve 80 Parishes? How can 50 priests serve 80 parishes? One way is that the Bishop could close and merge Parishes as has been done previously in the diocese. Instead of closing and merging Parish he wants to try this model of linked Parishes because of the benefits it offers over merging Parishes. (See next question).
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LINKING PARISHES? The most obvious benefit is that it avoids closing Parishes and Church buildings which is painful for parishioners. Another advantage of Linked Parishes is that by sharing resources each Parish can better fulfill the mission of Christ and his Church. A collaborative isn’t simply a matter of trying to operate parishes with fewer clergy. Rather, the vision is that we are stronger together. The era of parishes being in competition with one another is over. We must work together to better fulfill the mission of Christ and his Church.
WILL MY PARISH MASS SCHEDULE CHANGE? There are 11 weekend Mass among the three Parishes. Eventually, we will have to reduce the number of Masses in the collaborative, but no changes will be made until January. All three parishes have mass intentions till the end of the year. This would be the time to make a reduction in the number of Masses.
Changes in the daily Mass schedule will be made in the Fall so that there are no more than two daily Mass each day in the collaborative. With these changes there would be a total of 10 daily Masses in the collaborative. Two parishes would have 3 daily Masses and one would have four.
Changes in the Mass schedule will mean that some Parishioners may have to travel to another Church in the collaborative to have their favorite mass time. On the other hand, a shared Mass schedule allows for more variety of Mass among the linked parishes even if an individual parish has fewer Masses.
Envelopes can be put in the collection at any of the three Church and they will be sent to the appropriate Parish.
Changes in the daily Mass schedule will be made in the Fall so that there are no more than two daily Mass each day in the collaborative. With these changes there would be a total of 10 daily Masses in the collaborative. Two parishes would have 3 daily Masses and one would have four.
Changes in the Mass schedule will mean that some Parishioners may have to travel to another Church in the collaborative to have their favorite mass time. On the other hand, a shared Mass schedule allows for more variety of Mass among the linked parishes even if an individual parish has fewer Masses.
Envelopes can be put in the collection at any of the three Church and they will be sent to the appropriate Parish.
WILL MY PARISH OR CHURCH BUILDING CLOSE? The closure of Parishes and buildings is not part of this model of linked Parishes. Linking parishes is meant as a way to keep parishes and buildings open. On the other hand, if a parish is not viable, or if the repair of buildings are beyond the financial resources of a Parish, it could close. In linked Parishes each Parish is responsible for the repair of its buildings, and if buildings can not be maintained they will eventually have to close. Poorly maintained buildings can not remain open for ever.
WHAT ARE CO-PASTORS? Bishop Da Cunha also writes in his letter establishing these linked Parishes: "With the goal of maintaining the three as distinct, vibrant parishes, I will entrust their pastoral care to two priests in solidum — a Latin term that means “in solidarity.” Rev. Freddie Babiczuk and Rev. Thomas E. Costa, Jr., will serve as pastors in solidum, or as equals. Exercising pastoral care in this way requires the designation of one priest to serve as moderator. Our Church’s Canon Law defines the role of moderator as “the one who directs the joint action and answers for it to the bishop”. Fr. Babiczuk will serve as moderator for St. Mary, St. Jude, and St. Anthony and the centralized administration office that will be established for the three parishes."
On a practical level Co-pastors mean that the Pastoral care of the Parish will be divided between the two Co-pastors, but administration will remain in the hands of Fr. Babiczuk. The development of ministries in the collaborative will be divided between the two of them. For example Fr. Costa will help guide the development of youth Ministry in the collaborative, and Fr. Babiczuk will focus upon the development of Family Ministry. Fr Costa will focus upon the Pastoral care of St. Mary’s, and Fr. Babiczuk on the Pastoral care of St Anthony and St. Jude.
On a practical level Co-pastors mean that the Pastoral care of the Parish will be divided between the two Co-pastors, but administration will remain in the hands of Fr. Babiczuk. The development of ministries in the collaborative will be divided between the two of them. For example Fr. Costa will help guide the development of youth Ministry in the collaborative, and Fr. Babiczuk will focus upon the development of Family Ministry. Fr Costa will focus upon the Pastoral care of St. Mary’s, and Fr. Babiczuk on the Pastoral care of St Anthony and St. Jude.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO REACH THE CO-PASTORS? Fr. Babiczuk will reside at the St. Jude rectory and Fr. Costa at the St. Anthony Rectory. The best way to reach each of them is to call the parish office of the Parish where they are residing. Calls can be transferred to them in the parishes, or the secretaries can take a message. It is not possible to transfer a call between parishes. You can also email them directly: frtomc@cntaunton.org and frfred@cntaunton.org.
WILL THE FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM MERGE THIS YEAR? Positively no. It would be much too difficult and disruptive to merge Faith Formation programs this year. Faith Formation will remain in their respective Parishes. It is highly likely that the Confirmation Program will work together in some way, but these details are still to be worked out.
WILL ANY OF THE PARISH OFFICES CLOSES SOON? Once again the answer is no. Each Parish will retain their Parish secretary in their individual parish office. Office hours will remain the same as well. On the other hand, the long term goal is to have a single administrative team with a single Parish office.
DOES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLLABORATIVE MEAN THAT WE WILL LOSE OUR PARISH TRADITIONS? Some have expressed concerns that being part of this collaborative means that each individual community will lose its treasured traditions. This could not be farther from the truth. We are not trying to create a generic Catholic Church, but rather we are trying to build something diverse and vibrant that will include, and if anything, expand each of our treasured traditions. Whether it is the delicious foods associated with our various cultures; or the important spiritual feasts and social gatherings – we will not only keep them, but now also invite the broader community to celebrate them together.
WHY DO WE HAVE THIS ROTATION OF PRIESTS CELEBRATING MASS? WHERE IS MY PASTOR? The downside of keeping the Mass schedules largely intact is that it means that we need a variety of priest celebrating the Masses. There are currently 11 Masses between these 3 Parishes. Father's Costa and Babiczuk can not celebrate all the weekend masses by themself. Luckily we have weekend Mass help: Msgr Vieira (Portuguese only), Fr. McGlynn, and Fr. Allison (Holy Cross). The day will come when we have less Mass help which means a reduction in the number of Masses, and he will see your pastor more often at "your Mass".