July 2019
ACC Planning Meetings
At this point, all planning councils should have met at least once. What questions are arising? Are you seeing areas of development/strength? How are you representing everyone in the parish? Do we need to add anyone to the table? How can we improve/spread our ministries to all of our communities? How can we share our individual resources in a way that reaches all of our communities? How are our parishes growing? These are questions to discern and discuss as we strategize how best to fulfill our mission as disciples of Christ in the world today.

My goal is to attend at least one planning council meeting in all of the Area Catholic Communities between now and the end of the Fall. If you have specific questions you would like me to address during my visit please email or call.
Consensus Decisions
We are encouraging the consensus decision making model we introduced at the formation days. While voting may be more efficient at times it does not necessarily give each person a voice. A consensus model actively asks for all opinions and issues and dialogues about the advantages and disadvantages of each. This takes time and listening to each other. The conversation many times will lead to new and creative ideas that the group comes up with together. Consensus does not mean unanimity. The final question to ask the group is, "Can you live with this?" If the answer is no, then there an issue that has not been fully addressed.
**Resist the temptation to speculate decisions. Give the process and the Holy Spirit room to work.
Webinar Resource on Vocational Discernment with Young People
Some of the topics that come up often when I talk with people are encouraging vocations and engaging young people. Recently, Pope Francis held a Synod on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment.” The following are several webinars sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry addressing these topics. These webinars are in English and Spanish. Please share these webinars with those working with youth and other interested parties. http://nfcym.org/synod-webinar
The diocesan offices are collaborating to provide opportunities for formation and resources on a wide range of topics. The upcoming regional ministry gatherings in August and September will cover: the essential elements of a vibrant parish, becoming who we are called to be, hospitality, servant leadership skills, estate planning and taxes, and technology tips for ACCS among others. All are invited to attend these free gatherings. For more information or to register, visit:

Tips from Fr. Joe Rodrigues, the Salvatorian Provincial, on dealing with
change together :
  1. Show up
  2. Listen with your heart
  3. Seek to understand, not to be understood
  4. Speak your truth with love
  5. Let go of the results
Did you see the "Good idea" article in the Central Minnesota Catholic? Fr. Don Wagner, pastor at Christ the King in Cambridge, Sts. Peter and Paul in Braham, and Elizabeth Ann Seton in Isanti, shares his experience to Stop the Meeting Madness . Read the article here.
Q: If someone is visiting a parish and drops an envelope in the parish collection basket, does the money stay with that parish or go to their home parish?

A: All envelopes are returned to the parish on the envelope.
Brenda Kresky | Director of Pastoral Planning | 214 3rd Ave S. St. Cloud, MN 56301
320-529-4611 | bkresky@gw.stcdio.org | www.stcdio.org/planning