Implementation strategies

Over the last several months, these columns have been devoted to reviewing how the diocesan “Road Map for Pastoral, Program, and Facility Needs 2008-2013” came about and the purpose of its planning principles. This column will describe the overall Road Map implementation strategy.

The Road Map implementation process requires action by: an Implementation Commission; the vicariates, parishes, and diocesan offices; and six task forces (three coordinating task forces, two ad hoc task forces, and one committee),

As reported in earlier Herald Catholic Herald issues, Bishop Larry Silva appointed an Implementation Commission, which I chair and Father Marc Alexander co-chairs. Its membership includes the six task force chairs (one for each of the major recommendations in the Road Map) and 11 other individuals who bring particular expertise and perspective to the implementation process.

The Implementation Commission met on April 19 and Aug. 2. The names of commission members and the minutes of these meetings are available by clicking on “Road Map” on the diocesan website: www.catholichawaii.org.

In brief, the commission’s charge is to organize, communicate, oversee, monitor, and report on the implementation process. Priority attention has been given to organizing the task forces and communications.

Task force chairs and co-chairs have been appointed by the bishop. Charge sheets that summarize task force responsibilities to carry out actions specified in the Road Map were developed and discussed with each chair and co-chair during meetings in April. Since then, chairs have been working to finalize their membership, and some have begun to meet and take actions.

Communicating and keeping attention focused on implementing the Road Map has been pursued in several ways. In addition to these columns, the subject of Road Map implementation has been on the agendas for meetings of the Presbyteral Council, Diocesan Pastoral Council, diocesan department heads, and diocesan staff. In addition, a session on the Road Map was part of the priests’ May convocation. Currently vicariate town hall meetings are under way.

Vicariate meetings have been held in West Hawaii, on Kauai and Maui, and in Windward and Central Oahu, and others are scheduled. Father Marc Alexander and I facilitate these meetings. Together we review Road Map development, major recommendations, desired outcomes, and the role of the task forces; we share a parish implementation guide and engage participants in an exercise designed to help them identify parish priorities.

The parish implementation guide summarizes six steps that parishes can take to help support Road Map implementation: 1) post the color Road Map; 2) distribute and discuss the complete Road Map within parish ministries; 3) communicate with parishioners about the recommendations and desired outcomes of the Road Map (use materials from the diocesan website, the diocesan e-NewsLetter, and the Hawaii Catholic Herald); 4) identify those Road Map recommendations that will be parish priorities for the coming year; 5) formulate action steps; and 6) do something — work together as a community taking actions and reporting progress.

The parish implementation process recognizes that parishes are at different stages of progress relative to the Road Map recommendations. This reality is well received at the vicariate meetings. The spirit of participants is very positive and is captured by the comment that “this was a well-spent evening.” In our next column we will summarize themes emerging from the vicariate meetings that have taken place.

In summary, the overall Road Map implementation strategy assumes that everyone in the Diocese of Honolulu can find among the Road Map recommendations and desired outcomes ways in which they can personally and collectively witness to Jesus. For complete and up-to-date information on the Road Map, including implementation resources, visit www.catholichawaii.org and click on “Road Map.”