(Reprinted copy of letter received from Bishop Wilton Gregory.)

21 February 2003

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

To plan for the future is not only a good idea, it flows directly from our call as faithful stewards of the Gospel. Planning is not new to the parishes of our diocese. In 1990 and in 1997, there was a focus on planning. Now in 2003, we continue that focus with a process we are naming Into the Future.

In recent years, specific planning has been more regional than diocesan. While these multiple regional planning efforts are valuable in themselves, it is apparent that regional planning would benefit from an updated and continuing diocesan process. This call for an overall diocesan plan, in the context of fewer available pastors, is a major reason for this current project.

This planning process has a number of stages and will take about a year. The first phase is a parish self-assessment. In order to identify our strengths and our areas of concern we must take a good look at ourselves. I urge each parishioner to complete a survey when it is distributed at the end of April or the beginning of May. With money you generously donated to A Future Full of Hope - Our Diocesan Campaign, we have purchased a system that will tabulate all these surveys. Each parish will receive the results of their surveys to use as a base for identifying strengths and needs.

In the second half of 2003, neighboring parishes will explore ways in which they can meet common needs with a diminishing number of priests. The first step is for all pastors and parish life coordinators to bring two or three parish leaders to one of a number of information sessions scheduled throughout the diocese at the end of March. There the process will be explained in detail.

This planning process is a crucial need for our diocese. We are a faith-filled community, trusting in the love of God who has blessed us with many gifted and generous people. I give thanks to God for you and I am confident that, together, we will move boldly Into the Future.

Cordially yours in Christ,

Wilton D. Gregory

Bishop of Belleville