Bishop outlines vision with parish leaders

June 19, 2024

^{About 25 pastors and their key leadership joined Bishop William Joensen at meetings in Atlantic and Adel last month to discuss the Diocese’s mission and vision, created from feedback by the faithful: Sowing God’s Spirit by cultivating connections in Christ through encounter, friendship, and communion. Two more more meetings are scheduled for Council Bluffs and Des Moines.} 

Priests and parish leaders gathered in Atlantic and Adel last month to learn about the Diocese’s vision for the future, top priorities, and resources for helping people grow in their faith.

Bishop William Joensen shared how parishioners’ feedback, parishioner-based advisory committees, and the Holy Spirit led the Diocese to determine its vision moving forward: Sowing God’s spirit by cultivating connections in Christ through encounter, friendship, and communion.

Through a series of focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews, the faithful identified six priorities for the Diocese: 

- Creating a culture of welcome and care;
- Inviting people into an encounter with Jesus Christ;
- Accompanying our youth into discipleship with Jesus Christ;
- Engaging our young adults into full participation;   
- Preparing disciples for the domestic church;
- Communicating our message boldly and clearly. 

Over the summer, parishes are asked to determine which of the priority areas they would like to focus on. During this discernment period, pastors and parish leaders may gather various groups together to gauge the needs of their parishes.
By the end of the summer, each parish should have in mind at least one priority of the six diocesan priorities to focus on in the coming year. 

The Diocese also is sharing resources, called toolkits, developed by parish leaders in each of the six prioritiy areas, by seeking beest practices locally and nationally.

Groups of parishes in each priority area will be formed. They’ll work through the toolkits, providing guidance and learning from each other. 

In the spring, parishes will be able to report to their parishioners what they accomplished. The following year, they may choose to continue working on that priority and/or select a second priority to address. 

Two more gatherings for pastors and their key advisors are planned to review the vision, the process, and the toolkits available as resources. The meetings will be at the end of this month in Council Bluffs and Des Moines.