The Voice of the People Meeting

After Mass today, Frances Pope and Barbara Vaughan, who are our representatives to Local Planning Area 11, met with the Church to discuss the progress of the planning group and to answer any questions parishioners might have about plans for St. Elizabeth's future.

It is to be noted that any changes to be made will not be implemented right away; but that in 2009, the 5-year plan will begin to take effect. There are concerns about the health and welfare of our priests who are already going from one parish to another to celebrate Masses where there are no priests available.

But the changes will be farther reaching than just the liturgies. We can expect much more collaboration among parishes and sharing of ministries, not only on the parish level, but also, for example, in hospital and prison ministries and schools and universities. On the parish level, youth ministries in several parishes could be combined; ministries to the sick and shut-ins could also be combined. Staff people could be shared.

Our area reps were asked to take the following concerns back to the next planning meeting:

1. Because we are a small parish that draws our parishioners from all over the city and the neighboring counties, there is a great need for St. Elizabeth's to have a Sunday Mass celebrated each week so that we can keep our parish intact.

2. To address the reason for grouping St. Elizabeth's together with parishes with whom we have little in common.