VOLUME 44 NUMBER 1 DIOCESE OF RAPID CITY, Diocesan Website: www.rapidcitydiocese.org SOUTH DAKOTA Serving Catholics in Western South Dakota since May 1973 Reservation and Rural Ministry Planning Team Vatican A Season of Change, 2 Creating vibrant parish clusters Diocesan Priests Parish gives Assignments, 4 By Laurie Hallstrom took from the Catholic Leader- ship Institute of Wayne, Pa.) voice to At the center of Catholic “Good Leaders, Good Shep- worship is the church commu- herds,” said Father Biegler. “It women nity where a parishioner feels a could be used in the future for VATICAN CITY sense of belonging. Pending other areas of the diocese.” (CNS) — A new changes to church clusters are After months of considera- Vatican magazine will give attention intended to bring new spiritual tion three new parish configu- life to the faithful in the north- to women's voices, rations were recommended to something that ern tier of the Diocese of Rapid the bishop. (See page 5 for a often has been City. letter from Bishop Gruss de- missing in the A combined team of 13 tailing changes that will take church despite clergy and laity has spent the place July 1.) women's important Priority Plan of the Diocese past 15 months assessing the “When parish representa- role in announcing of Rapid City, 13-16 pastoral needs of parishes in tives first came on the team the Gospel, said Year of Mercy Pilgrimage Harding, Perkins and Corson they were biased toward their Cardinal Pietro Parolin. “If we do not listen attentively to the voice of to St. Francis, 17 Counties. Bishop Robert Gruss own parish. When we had the women in the great decisive moments in the life of the convened the Reservation and last meeting they knew some Rural Ministry Planning Team church, we would lose” the crucial contribution of the parishes didn’t meet the crite- feminine genius in the church, Cardinal Parolin, Vatican in March 2015 ria that we were looking for in secretary of state, said at an event May 3 launching the Fr. Steve Biegler, vicar gen- healthy and holy parishes and magazine format. The first issue of Donne Chiesa Mondo or eral of the diocese, and com- they realized it was time to let Women-Church-World features an icon of the Visitation. mittee chair said he told the them go,” said Deacon Le- Then on May 12, Pope Francis told the heads of women's new group as the diocese looks neaugh. “Every meeting we religious orders from around the world that he would set up to the future, “It is important to had would bring people closer a commission to study the New Testament deaconesses and take the time to update our vi- to creating a vision of what you he also insisted more can and should be done to involve lay sion for ministry on the Reser- want ministry to be for the and consecrated women in church decision-making at every vations and in the rural level. whole community.” (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano) parishes.” The team goal sought to de- Meetings were held in the termine if the parishes in those St. Anthony, Buffalo. keeping the building open is a churches in the three counties counties were vibrant and life St. Bede, Wakpala, will not good idea. Mailing label to give team members a famil- sustaining. Every aspect of lay have Mass, but other types of July 1, when the changes are iarity with the ministry that is participation, liturgical cele- ministry will take place as made, “the advantage to the already taking place. Summa- bration and ongoing education needed. “New types of min- parishioners is a higher quality rizing the conclusions recom- for both adults and children istry involving the community liturgy because there is more mended by the team, Father was reviewed. In the end, Mass like prayer services and youth participation, more singing, Biegler said, “This process of will no longer be offered at St. activities can take place there,” and more people assisting the involving clergy and lay peo- Agnes, Cox, and Our Lady of said Deacon Leneaugh. After minister,” he said. ple was fruitful. It was mod- one year the church usage will the Prairie, Reva. Those ARISH LUSTERS eled after the training (priests be evaluated to determine if P C parishes will be merged with CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 2 WRC Columns May 2016 Spring: A season of change and new life arrives Has it seemed like this year of 2016 vorite times of the year. We have found ing, Perkins and Corson counties. I am is rapidly moving through its course? It ourselves moving quickly through the deeply grateful for tremendous work is hard to believe that we are midway month of May already with its many ac- accomplished by the group of people, through the month of May. When I re- tivities. The confirmation season is clergy and lay leaders alike, from vari- flect back on these months, I find my- winding down. What graced moments ous parishes in those counties. Over the self continually filled with gratitude for these have been! It is one of my favorite past fifteen months, they have been how God has blessed me, both person- parts of my ministry as a bishop. So I gathering for prayer, reflection and dis- ally and in ministry. I feel deeply am looking forward to the last two — cussion, assessing the pastoral needs in blessed to be where I am at this point in Sacred Heart Parish in White River and the northern parishes and developing my life. The Lord’s blessings are so St. Bridget Parish in Rosebud. ways to refresh the vision of ministry. near, so constant — as close as the next Springtime is a time of change. In This group developed benchmarks breath or the next prayer or the next ex- my travels, I have been blessed to relish for “Healthy and Holy Parishes.” In before their terms were completed. I am perience of love. the springtime showing many signs of other words, as we look at the life of a deeply grateful for their generosity in There are and have been many won- new life. There is a birthing that has parish and how the church defines a putting the needs of the diocese ahead derful things happening in the diocese been going on in nature — new calves healthy and holy parish, what are the re- of their own. in these recent months. I am very ex- romping in the fields, the budding of quired ministries which comprise such I know that people love their priests cited about the Diocesan Priority Plan, the trees, the blossoming of plants, a parish and make it fully alive with the and it is hard to see them leave as they because it will bring into clearer focus flowers beginning to don clothes of Gospel? This committee carefully eval- reflect upon the impact the priests have the mission and ministry of the diocese brilliant colors, the grass beginning to uated the current ministry in each parish made in their lives. Those feelings are as a whole moving forward into the return to its brilliance of green; all these and has offered clear advice on how the challenging part of God’s blessings next few years. I am convinced that as things give us a sense that the miracle best to move forward in providing min- which I noted earlier. Pastoral decisions we all embrace this Priority Plan in our of new life is taking place. What a istry with one less priest in those coun- are sometimes very difficult to make, lives and ministry, we will tangibly see blessing to experience this all around us ties. Their findings and conclusions knowing the impact on the faith com- the power of the Holy Spirit at work in when we take notice — another way of revealed the need to reconfigure the munities involved. They will never miraculous ways, and many new bless- God showering his love upon us. parishes in that area of the diocese. please everyone, but must be made for ings will be poured out upon us. Yes, Springtime is a time of change in I am very appreciative of the time the overall good of the diocese given new ministry can be work, but the work other ways as well. As you will notice and stewardship of this committee and the resources we currently have, with of God in our midst is always a sight to from an article in this paper, there will the wonderful work which was accom- an eye toward the future. behold! be a reconfiguration of the parishes in plished. It is important to consider that our We are currently in one of my fa- the northern part of the diocese in Hard- It is my hope that parishioners who priests have many and varied gifts. are affected by these changes will find Change in pastoral leadership allows a new faith community, a new place to the parish to benefit from the gifts that call home, where they will discover a their new priest offers. At the same warm welcome and experience a vi- time, priests grow from the gifts they brant parish where the liturgy is cele- receive from each community in which brated well, hospitality is strong, they minister. This exchange of gifts lifelong faith formation is present, and helps us to grow in understanding of the opportunities for social outreach are faith and to connect with other parishes offered. as a diocese. This is also the time of the year when I ask that you please keep the priests the changes in clergy assignments are and these other changes in your prayers announced.