Parish & School Study

The Son of God came to us with a mission and plan. He accepted that plan in a very public way at the Jordan. To help him carry out that plan, he gathered resources and formed leaders and disciples and committed to the mission all the way to Jerusalem. The four Gospels are the working documents of that plan and reveal the spirit in which it was accomplished.

Jesus was the first to understand the importance of effective pastoral planning. He left it up to the apostles to implement and expand his plan. In the modern Church, we get our direction for strategic pastoral planning from the Documents of Vatican II, especially #4 of the Pastoral Constitution of the Church: "…the Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel."

Over the past number of years the Archdiocese of Omaha has witnessed many changes in parish and school life. Parishes have merged, many parishes share a pastor, schools have closed or consolidated, and several parishes have undergone a reduction in priest staffing. These realities have and will continue to affect all aspects of parish life.

In the throes of these changes we must discover again what it means to be Church. The challenges we face are also opportunities for us to deepen our commitment to and enhance our practice of collaboration in ministry.

Effective pastoral planning is the key to ensuring that the work of the mission of Jesus is carried out in the archdiocese. When archdiocesan and parish leaders come together to vision and plan for the future, prayer, discerning the "signs of the times" and a spirit of collaboration all play crucial roles in contributing to vibrant parish life.

The Archdiocese of Omaha has begun a pastoral planning initiative that includes 37 parishes and 18 elementary schools largely east of 72nd Street. The idea is to build on current strengths, forecast growth and anticipate future challenges. You can read more about this important study by clicking on the links to the left of this page. Return here for frequent updates.