May 29, 2013

Ogdensburg - Bishop Terry R. LaValley and his Envisioning Leadership Team are continuing in their pursuit of clarifying and articulating a Mutually Shared Vision for the Diocese of Ogdensburg.

To me, the Listening Sessions are the core of the work of our Team. We want
to truly understand the vision and hopes of the people of the diocese
so that our vision and priorities are directed to our actual needs as a diocese.
Bishop Terry R. LaValley

At their fourth monthly meeting May 15, the team adopted a Charter to guide its work. This was accomplished under the leadership of Bishop LaValley and the guidance of the Catholic Leadership Institute.

Father Garry B. Giroux, a team member from Brasher Falls, said that one of the many lessons he is learning in this process is the importance of having a clear charter for every leadership group.

“I see the Envisioning Leadership Team as modeling a process that should characterize every team we build in our parishes,” he said. “Clearly articulating the purpose of the team, defining values and expected outcomes serves as a compass that keeps the team on course and guides it to its desired destination.” 

Father Giroux said he hopes to take the skills and insights he has gained as a member of the team back to his parishes.

The Charter contains a Purpose Statement, which explains why the team exists: [the Team] “will use our love of Christ and His Church and commitment to our mission to listen to the people of God, and discern our Diocesan needs, priorities, and goal so that we might articulate, proclaim and implement a Mutually Shared Vision rooting the Diocese of Ogdensburg more deeply in Christ.”

Team member, James Coughlin of Malone, said that the commitment to listen to the people of God was the real selling point of the process for him. 

“This is a ‘bottom up’ driven process,” he said.  “For the person in the pew to have the opportunity to share with Bishop LaValley his or her hopes, dreams and vision for our diocese is something that sets this endeavor apart from other endeavors we have undertaken in the past. 

“For Bishop LaValley to commit more than a month out of his busy schedule to the Listening Sessions is a sign of his commitment to really listen to the people of God,”  Mr. Coughlin said.

For Mr. Coughlin, the Listening Sessions were an important part of his decision to accept the invitation to serve on the Team.

“The Bishop wants to hear their recommendations, and everyone at the Listening Sessions will be given the opportunity to write their thoughts down so that every thought will be considered,” he said.

Eight Listening Sessions remain to be held throughout the diocese (see schedule published here) and two have already taken place.  The Listening Sessions are intended to give the people of God to voice their vision of the diocese and for Bishop LaValley to listen to his people.

At the Listening Sessions, the sharing of ideas will be guided by three questions: 

(1) What do you most appreciate about the Diocese of Ogdensburg?,

(2) What is your vision for the Diocese in the next five years?

(3) In the next 18-24 months, what three priorities should the Diocese name and fulfill for more effective ministry and pastoral care?  What would you like to see accomplished in the next two years?

Participants in the Listening Sessions will be able to respond to the questions in writing and, if they so choose, have the opportunity to share a brief comment with the bishop and other participants.

The written comments will be collected and considered by the team in its work of discerning our vision and priorities.

“We truly need to hear from the people of God to make our vision and priorities responsive to the real needs of the Diocese,” said Bishop LaValley. 

“To me, the Listening Sessions are the core of the work of our Team,” he said. “We want to truly understand the vision and hopes of the people of the diocese so that our vision and priorities are directed to our actual needs as a diocese.”

Those unable to attend the Listening Sessions will also have the opportunity to submit their ideas and thoughts electronically by going to http://rcdony.org/envision/listening.html.