Troy parish planning ahead for when pastor retires

Several committees have formed since Father Flanigan wrote a letter to parishioners last autumn outlining potential outcomes for St. Peter's Church after he retires. These committees have been meeting regularly since December, with a goal of keeping St. Peter's Church open and active as a parish community.

Each group also has met with Father Flanigan to discuss its particular responsibilities and proposed projects in assuming more of his leadership roles.

Determination

Father Flanigan, who has served as pastor since 1968, turns 75 next spring, the mandatory retirement age for pastors, according to Canon Law. After learning of his pending retirement, parishioners met to evaluate the situation.

They envisioned three different scenarios for St. Peter's: getting a new pastor, sharing a priest with another parish and having laypersons assume greater liturgical and administrative duties, or closing the parish. Founded in 1824, St. Peter's is the second-oldest parish in the Albany Diocese.

Taking responsibility

The project is based upon "Follow Me: Disciples for the 21st Century," a program created by the National Pastoral Life Center. Parishioners signed up for various committees -- spiritual life, community/family life, administration/finance, communications, religious education, and "The Marthas," who coordinate such events as Bingo and parish dinners.

The participants have been meeting among themselves and with Father Flanigan to prepare for the period beyond his retirement. A parish planning retreat, during which the committees discussed their plans and updated each other on their progress, was held last month.

Although much of the work performed by these committees had been going on before news of Father Flanigan's retirement, "we really have to coordinate what people do so they aren't working at cross-purposes, but in the same direction," said Jim Gray, a communications committee member. "Things get done on a more informal level here. It's like a culture."

Reaching out

Social justice is another important aspect of parish life, according to Nora McDowell, a community/family life committee member. The parish runs a food pantry and provides clothing for the neighborhood. A community garden known as "Father Flanigan's Farm" gives neighbors a place to try out their green thumbs. There's also been talk about forming a young adult group that would engage in service-oriented activities.

Essential place

Jim Canfield, an administration/finance committee member, said that St. Peter's has the resources to remain in existence for years to come, and that parishioners need "to follow in Father's footsteps" and assume more leadership roles to keep the parish going after he retires.

These responsibilities include everything from knowing where the light switches can be found to maintaining the parish buildings and property, Mr. Canfield said.

Such lay participation should help to ensure St. Peter's continued presence in the community, Mr. Gray pointed out. "There's a group of very committed people in this parish, and I think they'll do whatever they need to do," he said. "I don't think there's a problem getting it done, once we find out what we need to do."

Good hands

"The enthusiasm of the people from the parish has been excellent," he said. "That is our goal: for the people of the parish to run the parish."

(An information booth on the St. Peter's Future Planning Project will be present at the parish chicken barbecue on May 17, 2-5 p.m. in the Lyceum. Neighbors as well as former and current parishioners are welcome to attend.)

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