Sisters of Saint Francis Rochester Minnesota

by Eileen Haugh
An emerging model of parish ministry today, serving multiple parishes, is a common assignment that has fallen to many priests, even men only recently ordained. Through interviews with pastors and extensive research, the author has placed before her readers a valuable survey of the issues that face many dioceses in assigning a priest to more than one parish. The maps and tables included, meticulously crafted, give a sharp outline for follow-up after the text has been read.

Early chapters survey the present phenomenon: In the past ten years, there has been a large decrease in the number of priests but a much smaller decline in the number of parishes; rural parishes have dwindled in size, while urban configurations have grown; distances between the clustered churches are often prohibitive, with the pastors in some areas driving up to 1,000 miles a month. The highest proportion of priests serving multiple parishes is in the area west of the Mississippi, where there are also fewer priests to relieve ministers for time off. In some dioceses, priests serve six or more parishes in a cluster. “Many hours that could be dedicated to ministry must be spent getting there,” the author says. Katarina sent out 3,000 surveys, receiving a 30% return, from 911 priests. This is the primary base for the study. In addition, she did interviews with seventy priests in ten dioceses and two archdioceses, and many lay ministers and parishioners, as well as exchanging views with groups of priests serving several parishes.

Nearly two-thirds of the parishes studied have full-time or part-time staff. The other third, however, have no paid assistants; this puts even more burden on the shoulders of the pastor. It is a critical necessity to gather and have trained a dependable parish council, finance board, religious education staff, secretary, and so on. Assistance from the diocesan offices may be forthcoming…or not. Some parishes are distinguished, too, by racial/ethnic diversity, educational levels, age, and health. The priests in multiple parish ministry range from under 40 to 70 or older, with the midpoint at about 56. Few of them had orientation or any mentoring in preparation for their current assignment, and they see keenly that it is necessary. Most (about 91%) are from the U.S., but small numbers from Europe, Asia, and Africa are not ready to take on an assignment of even one parish.

It is interesting to note how the current personal and ministerial context of the lives of these priestly ministers affects their living situation and how it, in turn, influences the ministry. Many priests who are forced to live alone would prefer to live with others; 77% of the respondents voiced this preference. Helpful tables indicate degree of satisfaction with the living situation as it affects spiritual life, psychological well-being, health, prayer, exercise, and recreation. The majority of these men are pastors, many of them with additional responsibilities in the diocese. In spite of the overwhelming burden of their work, they give pride of place to liturgy, its preparation and celebration; still, many will have up to 5-6 Masses on a weekend—in addition to weekday Masses, funerals, and weddings. All this, along with parish school and community expectations, diocesan boards and outreach ministry takes extraordinary commitment and often makes self-care non-existent.

Chapters 7 and 8 focus on what gives life to the parishes (liturgy, sacramental life, and prayer), and how the priests see themselves in providing this life. Part IV, “Recommendations for the Future of Multiple Parish Ministry,” I would call the most essential section in looking to the future. Priests of all ages and conditions of service give advice ranging from the very specific to the oft-repeated, “You can’t do it all.”

“Suggestions for Improving the Morale of Priests,” from the surveyed priests themselves, call attention to maintaining relationships with other priests, taking time off, and time for retreat and daily prayer. Add communal living, cultivating other friendships—and developing realistic expectations while collaborating with others make for a healthier perspective. Above all, these priests need the help and cooperation of others—bishops, superiors, and laity, who often have no understanding of multiple parish ministry.

“Increasing Ministerial Effectiveness” makes strong points regarding ways in which the bishop, superior, lay ministers, and diocesan offices could reduce dissatisfaction and burnout. Improved communication, planning, facing together what the future might hold, consultation, and recommendations for seminaries is followed by “Diocesan Models for Multiple Parish Ministry” and an appendix of helpful tables and charts, statistics, and a “Consolidated Proposal.”

A final word from Chapter 14, “Listening and Learning.” This summary of the study
recalls the goal and what it can teach the church, what is known about the clustered parishes, the priests who serve them, what their lives are like, the difficulties they face, and the incredible joy, hope, and enthusiasm they bring to their ministry that is in the end most critical. The author expresses gratitude for the positive attitudes of all who provided information for the study despite concerns and problems, and is herself hopeful for the future of the Church—trusting in him who founded it.

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