VOTF
Affiliate Highlights
VOTF
Falmouth, MA – “The Parish of Tomorrow”
Report
from Anne Southwood
After an opening prayer
by Janice Gouveia, keynote speaker Jesuit theologian John O'Malley "set the
scene" based on his extensive historical knowledge of Church.
"Don't think the lay role
is new," said O'Malley when asked the most important concept he wanted to
leave with the audience. "It's an old role – suppressed.” O'Malley noted
the emphasis on holiness in Vatican II. "The decree on the Church is about
holiness," he explained, citing the significance of naming the Church as
mystery and members as the "People of God." In singing the praises of the
new horizontal idealism evident in the documents of Vatican II he stressed
the lack of rules and punishments in the new vision.
O'Malley showed a sense
of humor about his book Four Cultures of the West. He noted that it
was a "good buy," covering 25 centuries at $25 - only a buck a century.”
Fr. Tom Mahoney of Watertown,
MA looked at tomorrow's Church from the point of view of a young priest thinking
in terms of becoming a pastor. He moved from an outline of a medieval type
power structure to "post-scandal" dynamics. He warned that authority that
is used to break the spirit of reform can marginalize both VOTF and the "Priest
Forum," which he chairs. Though the Forum struggles, he said he looks forward
to working with VOTF together on reform. Mahoney stressed patient reform,
avoiding overt attachment to the word change. "I love being a priest with
you," said Mahoney, but he worries over the consuming emotional involvement
of a pastor with parishioners. He noted Americans have high expectations
of pastors compared to other places in the world. Mahoney offered the suggestion
of trained and well-paid full-time ministers.
Deacon Mike Iwanowicz,
lay parish leader Pam Chaplin of Hopedale, MA and pastoral associate Sister
Marie LaBollita of Our Lady Help of Christians parish in Newton, MA shared
their own lived experiences of parish life. The realistic Deacon Mike, coping
with his Sharon parish for an extended time on the death of their beloved
pastor, noted that as Catholics we stand at the edge of a precipice right
now. Pam Chaplin and Sister Marie then expanded on ways of dealing with present
conditions.
Chaplin explained the
planning process in implementing a new vision in her own parish based on
principles of joyful worship, stewardship, evangelization and service. LaBollita
stressed a similar approach - geared to creating an active and inclusive
parish. She noted the importance of a pastor empowering his congregation
to "use your Baptism" while Chaplin laid out a path of self empowerment without
a regular pastor. When asked later what her parish would do if her Church
was closed, she said the parish would continue worshiping as they do now,
with Jesus as the model.
The audience appreciated
candid answers to their questions by the panelists. In answer to questions
about relating better to clergy, LaBollita suggested inviting clergy to be
on committees and getting to know them as fellow humans. In answer to questions
on the failure of the local bishop to respond, LaBollita again went to the "use
your Baptism" concept. "We need more forums for women," she said, recommending
an upcoming Boston College lecture on "Why Do Women Stay." Her other recommendation
included bonding together and planning together to make things happen.
In answer to a question
on formation and younger priests seeming more regressive, Fr. Mahoney said
he thought this true. O'Malley honestly noted that not all segments of the
Church are interested in continuing in "the spirit of Vatican II." O'Malley
handled a final tough question on whether there should be a Vatican III Council
of Bishops easily: "Not right now," he boomed. He explained that the outcome
might not please the audience.
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