The Pastoral Plan 2007-2012
February 2007
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
When I arrived in Anchorage in 2000, my first recollection was the Archdiocese was a place that celebrated a dynamic faith lived out in communities from Anchorage to the Aleutians. The groundwork had been laid by dedicated priests and religious who were sustained by generous and faithful lay leaders. That faith, and those communities, had matured over the years, and it seemed as if the Spirit had led them to a point at which they were ready to take more responsibility for themselves. In other words, this missionary Archdiocese was growing to a level of maturity allowing it to begin planning for its own future.
Starting a year prior to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese, I called together the leaders of the parish communities with my staff and, with the help of consultants, started the process of discerning where the Spirit of God was leading us as a local church. My intent was to develop a Pastoral Plan to guide and direct us into the future. I invited Brother Loughlan Sofield, S.T., to assist us in this first stage of communal reflection.
The process started slowly. From a hesitation of wondering what this was all about, to a guided process of collaboration, an enthusiasm and active participation developed in the leadership group. My hope was whatever discernment we would come up with, a sense of ownership would prevail within the group. Through the assistance of our consulters, The Reid Group, we began examining our values, then our dreams, then our goals for the Archdiocese. Working methodically, to establish our Pastoral Plan, we came up with a mission statement as well as a vision statement followed by goals and objectives that would guide us over the years to come. After wide consultation, we are presenting the results of our work to all in the Archdiocese. This Pastoral Plan belongs to all of us, for we are realizing more and more our unity in Christ as a local church. This work, hopefully developed by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is the map that will guide us on our journey from the 40th to the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Archdiocese.
In response to the call of Jesus to discipleship, I challenge each of us, as individuals, as parishes, as agencies, as the Pastoral Center, to look at what we can do to implement the Goals and Objectives of our Pastoral Plan. The strategies on how to accomplish these Goals and Objectives will be different as we apply them individually, in families, in parishes and throughout the Archdiocese. Together we will live the vision, where dreams become reality. I believe this process will be energizing and vibrant for the Archdiocese as the evangelizing community of Christ’s Disciples.
I commend our efforts to Mary, the Mother of the Church. Through her intercession, may we, though our implementation of this plan, proclaim to the people of this great land that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Sincerely yours in Christ and Mary,
Most Reverend Roger L. Schwietz, O.M.I., D.D.
Archbishop of Anchorage
