Pastoral Message aired on KNXT-TV during November 2007
Bishop John T. Steinbock
My Dear People of God,
Believe it or not, I am now 70 years of age. Before a Bishop reaches 75, he must send in a letter of resignation to the Holy Father, which normally begins the process for choosing a new Bishop. I have truly enjoyed these last fifteen years in the Diocese of Fresno. We are blest with so many good priests, deacons, religious and laity, and I truly want to thank all of you for your support and prayers through these years.
In January of this year, at the Clergy Convocation, I told the priests and deacons that it is time to set a five-year plan to work towards common pastoral goals in order to prepare ourselves for a new Bishop, come 2012. 122 priests and 42 permanent deacons came together and brainstormed; and, finally, set the Ministry Goals and Priorities to be accomplished in these next five years. The plan that came from this Convocation is called “The Vision for the Future.”
Four categories were established for which committees are already working. The first category is Catechesis with an emphasis on family-based catechesis, evangelization, and leading people to a personal relationship with the Lord. The second category is Lay Ministry with an emphasis on forming a Lay Formation Institute to give training and certification for all ministries in our parishes, including giving degrees in union with a Catholic University. The third category is Vocations with an emphasis on the Family and encouraging Holy Hours in our parishes. The fourth category is Youth Ministry with an emphasis on training our youth, of all ethnic groups, to a true faith formation, a deep relationship with the Lord and leading them to service, putting their faith into action.
The priests and deacons, themselves, agreed that the Ministry Office must be adequately funded and staffed to provide these services to the parishes. This includes hiring sufficient personnel for the Office. I committed myself, with their cooperation, to find and use the resources to make this plan a reality. I have already appointed a priest full time, to take effect in January, to lead the Lay Formation Institute. We have already contracted with Holy Names University in Oakland to have a class to give an M.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry, by videoconferencing, also beginning in January.
The whole purpose of the 2008 Parish Ministry Appeal is to provide for the necessary staff and programs to make this plan a reality. In mid-October, every family that we have recorded in our parishes received a letter for the Appeal. I do want to thank those who have already responded so generously and encourage you to respond if you have not yet done so. If you did not receive an appeal letter, you may call to receive one at the number that appears on your TV screen. I ask your prayers, above all, for the success of this five-year plan, all the more for the glory of God. God Bless you all.