"Vision21"

October 20, 2009

The Year for Priests

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’ve just returned from a lovely dinner and gathering in Racine.  The parish councils and senior staffs from Sts. Paul, Rita, and Sebastian got together for a little dialogue on the elements of Vision 21 and its impact in their particular communities.  It was a wonderful time to rekindle that special spark that comes from Vision 21.  Since Archbishop Dolan went to New York, we really haven’t spent much time talking about the pastoral plan for our archdiocese; but we certainly have been working on it in various ways throughout the archdiocese in preparation for the new archbishop.

Tonight, once again, I experienced some of the excitement and enthusiasm for Vision 21.  It offers tremendous possibility for more collaboration and greater participation in the Church, now and in the future, in southeastern Wisconsin.

I was particularly pleased to hear of a program called “Sowing the Seed” that the youth and young adult ministers have started in the three parishes.  This sharing of personnel, ideas and energies for the good of the youth and young adults in the parishes is stimulating and makes me very hopeful for the future of the archdiocese.

The pastors of these parishes brought their parish councils and staffs together for an evening of fun and relaxation and for the purpose of sharing ideas, similar hopes and dreams.  The council member who led the prayer before the meal certainly summed up the evening’s energies as he prayed about the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.  He started the evening off on the right foot and it got better from there with God’s grace.

I know that we are all getting a little anxious, waiting for a new shepherd.  Be patient a little longer—he is coming.  In the meantime, be aware that there are good things happening in the archdiocese, in our parishes, in our schools, in our hospitals and in all the places where the Gospel is lived and preached—with and without words.

Thanks to the good people of Racine for a great gathering as the Church of Jesus Christ.  Thanks to Mark Kemmeter, coordinator of Parish Concerns, who keeps these parish matters fresh and continues to work hard on the Vision 21 Plan.  Keep praying that God will send the new archbishop to us soon and that our love for the Church may deepen with his leadership.

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan

Archdiocesan Administrator
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

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