Pastoral planning is an ongoing process at the diocesan and parish levels that involves clergy, religious, and lay leaders. The process helps us to focus on the Mission of Jesus Christ for which we are co-responsible. In order to plan wisely, we must recognize the changing environment and be honest about the challenges before us. We must diligently seek out the opportunities that exist to proclaim the Gospel in our time.
Together, we embrace the Church's vision of a community of disciples, fully alive in Christ and witnessing His saving love by their words and by the witness of their lives. Through prayer and listening, study and dialogue, we are able to discern the steps that are necessary at this time to move toward this vision and allocate resources accordingly.
In the Diocese of Trenton, the Department of Pastoral Planning provides a variety of services designed to help the members of the Church to learn the skills and practices of planning, gather data, develop objectives and strategies, and implement them.
Parish Study Process
The Diocese of Trenton's Parish Study Process seeks to ensure the support and development of vibrant parishes in each of the 10 deaneries throughout Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The process, which is conducted by representatives from each participating parish, focuses on addressing the needs of all members of the Catholic community, restructuring parishes and developing alternative ministry models in response to the changing realities that now define the Catholic experience. Among those emerging factors are shifts in Catholic population from the city to the suburbs and rural areas; the growing shortage of priests and religious to serve the Catholic population and an influx of new immigrants and seniors into many areas of the diocese.
Department of Pastoral Planning
Diocesan of Trenton
PO Box 5147
701 Lawrenceville Road
Trenton, NJ 08638-0147
Contributors:
Terry Ginther - Director, Dept. of Pastoral Planning
tginth@dioceseoftrenton.org
Ken Perry - Associate Director, Dept. of Pastoral Planning
kperry@dioceseoftrenton.org
Rayanne Bennett - Executive Director, Office of Communications
rbenne@dioceseoftrenton.org
Mary Morell - Dept. of Communications
mmorel@dioceseoftrenton.org
