Clusters' success: Working together

When parish clusters of the Albany Diocese submitted their plans for the future last fall, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard requested that each cluster create a governing body to implement those plans.

Such "cluster councils" -- the title most clusters chose for the group -- would execute new Mass schedules in response to changing numbers of available clergy; work on cluster-wide ministries for youth, senior citizens and other groups; and help their member parishes work together on such issues as faith formation and good use of parish buildings.

Approximately a half-dozen of the Diocese's 57 clusters have now established cluster councils. Made up of parishioners and clergy from each parish in a cluster, each council meets periodically to develop goals for meeting needs into the next millennium.

Checking in

"Some clusters are really addressing issues, while others are still moving slowly," said Sister Kathleen Turley, RSM, chancellor for planning and pastoral services, after reading the reports. "When we started this process, we knew that everybody was not at the same level."

After completing the formal stages of pastoral planning in the fall, she said, many clusters began experiencing a "let-down period. People now need to take their [pastoral] plan off the shelf and say, `What can we do here?'"

Accomplishments

* the establishment of a cluster-wide information line by a Saratoga County cluster known as "PAX" (Parish Association Exchange). Anyone dialing "1-8888-CATHOLIC" can receive information about Mass times, schedule announcements at liturgies or talk to a willing listener;

* the purchase of a "hyster," a piece of equipment that extends to high places for cleaning and repairs, by the Greater Glens Falls cluster. Too expensive for any one parish, the equipment was affordable when the entire cluster pooled funds; and

* a "ministries day" held by a Montgomery County cluster to promote lay leadership, attended by more than 200 people.

Moving ahead

"They knew that for three parishes, there would be two priests assigned," Sister Kathleen said of the cluster. "They looked at `what do we need to make this a vibrant, faith-filled community?' and came up with the need for a parish life director. They wanted the two priests and the parish life director to work together as a team." (A parish life director leads a parish in the absence of available clergy.)

While several other parish clusters are dealing with staff changes as the result of the Augustinians' move or pastors' retirements, most clusters are now working solely on the development of ministry programs. Examples include cluster-wide bereavement, baptismal or marriage preparation; youth ministry or adult faith formation programs; and cluster training for Eucharistic ministers and lectors.

Other clusters are offering social events or guest speakers for their parishes. Pulpit exchanges and bulletins with announcements from several cluster parishes remain popular ways for parishes to work together.

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