Spirited Times - February 2008

Finding a pastor for 2009

Church of the Holy Spirit process aims to match needs to talents

 By MARK T. HOSKE

Did you hear we’re due for a new pastor in 2009?

“No, I didn’t get a better offer, and I’m anxious to ‘get out of here’ or in trouble,” laughs Fr. Bill Tkachuk. Fr. Bill had large shoes to fill, stepping in as second pastor after Fr. George Kane founded the parish and remained in the area beyond retirement.

Unless there are “extraordinary” circumstances (“and it really wouldn’t be good to create any,” said Fr. Bill, raising one eyebrow), pastors get two six-year terms and are expected to accept a new assignment after twelve years.

There’s now a year-long process in the Archdiocese to appoint pastors, which is much more effective than the former process. The local Vicar and a member of the Priest Placement Board meet with parishioners and staff to inquire about parish needs and hopes. Then the Placement Board, the Vicars, and the Cardinal meet to consider the input and make decisions. In February or March of each year, the appointments are made.  April through June is a “transition period” to help the parish and pastor prepare and learn about each other before the new pastor begins on July 1. Fr. Bill’s second term ends June 30, 2009.

____________________________

Pastor Transition: Church of the Holy Spirit Timeline 2008-2009

§  Process Preparation: January-June 2008.

§  Clarification: July-September.

§  Information: October-December.

§  Discernment: January-March 2009

§  Transition Preparation: April-June 2009

____________________________

Underway: Church of the Holy Spirit parish leaders and others already have met several times to discuss transition issues, including an open information meeting in December that about 75 attended. More than 4,200 words of notes have been taken and a Transition Committee has been formed.

The idea is to create a comprehensive report of who we are as a parish, and the kinds of gifts we hope a new pastor will bring. While the Cardinal, Vicars, and Placement Board make the final decision, a full and accurate report (as we created about 12 years ago) will provide important input to ensure the best priest is chosen for the job, explained Fr. Bill.

Parish-based “campaigns” to keep a pastor or obtain a specific priest usually work against a parish. The Cardinal hopes that the primary connection of parishioners is to Christ and his mission, Fr. Bill says. Such time and effort are spent more effectively in preparing a comprehensive report and planning for the transition.

Fr. Bill “found” Church of the Holy Spirit about 12 years ago by attending one of our pastor transition Town Hall meetings.  I attended because “I was interested in the process but I had no intention to apply for this parish. My spiritual director later encouraged me to consider it, sensing that I had already begun to fall in love with the parish.”

On the applicant side, each priest names the type of parish that he believes would best suit his strengths, Fr. Bill explained. “A priest can name parishes that fit these criteria, but cannot request a specific assignment.  I think it’s good that we are being asked to think in terms of the mission of the Church in Chicago.”

Very preliminary thoughts

While the committee will take additional parish input, expand, and prioritize things, some early discussions mentioned the following as desired strengths in the next pastor and issues he must address.  Items are listed in alphabetical order.

-Bilingual is important, but more important is an openness to the community we have.

-Builds people in leadership.

-Collaborative leadership style to work with skilled leadership already in place.

-Commitment to justice message of Gospel.

-Continues welcoming spirit, evangelization, and stewardship.

-Continues commitment to fiscal responsibility.

-Maintains the balance between traditional and progressive worship environment and liturgical styles.

-Good at bringing the teachings of the Church into real life.

-Good sense of humor.

-Helps maintain diversity and unity.

-Multiculturalism: willingness to embrace.

-Negotiator, delegator, and one who accepts lay ministry views and decision.

-No ethnic favoritism.

-Open to new ideas, to the future of what might become.

-Recognizes and respects parish history of openness and welcoming.

-Relates to and supports all cultures, respecting differences.

-Understands and blends into community while bringing new ideas.

-Vatican II focus to empower laity.

-Willingness to leave day to day temporal details to staff and ministry leaders and focus more on pastoral and liturgical leadership.

-Young person sensitivities, with ability to encourage youth.

 If you’re interested in helping the Transition Committee in some way, please contact the Parish Office, 847-882-7580.