Thank you for your prayers and involvement in Journey in Faith, a process of prayer, listening, and discernment for the future of the Catholic Church here in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
Parish Sessions:
Please plan to participate in your local parish sessions. These gatherings are an important opportunity to learn more, share your thoughts, and walk with others as we discern the path forward together.
What is the difference between meeting #2 and meeting #3?
- Parish Session #2 offers parishioners the chance to reflect on and engage in discussion on the strengths and challenges of each model, sharing their own experiences and insights while also listening to the perspectives of others.
- Parish Session #3 invites parishioners to look ahead and reflect on “where do we feel called to belong in a pastorate”, creating space to consider the proposed models, share new ideas and models, and discern together the future of our parish communities.
How can I prepare for these meetings?
Spend time in prayer, especially invoking the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom.
Consider what your thoughtful verbal feedback will be at the meetings concerning the proposed pastorate models and other ideas/suggestions you want to share.
Submit feedback and questions via the feedback form on the website through November 21st or take written letters to your parish office to be uploaded for you.
Feedback:
Please provide your individual feedback through the
official feedback form. If you are unable to access the online form, please mail written feedback to Pastoral Planning, 1229 Mount Loretta Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52003. Your perspective matters, and your voice is vital to this process.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Some parishioners believe “the Archbishop already has his mind made up.” Please know that Journey in Faith is truly a process of discernment. No final decisions have been made. The input gathered at parish sessions and through feedback forms is an essential part of shaping the recommendations that will come to me later.
You may also have questions such as:
What about SCAP (Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest)?
Will parishes be closing?
Why are we undertaking this initiative in the first place?
These and many other questions are addressed in the
FAQ, which is regularly updated as new questions arise.
Thank you again for your prayers, participation, and openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Together, we can move forward with hope and trust in God’s providence.