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Diocesan Church
INTRODUCTION
"A diocese is a section of God’s people entrusted to a bishop to be
guided by him with the assistance of his clergy, . . . it constitutes one particular
church in which the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Christ is truly present
and active" (CD 11).
When the Church is viewed as a whole, a diocese exists in communion with other local
churches, all united with the pope, the Bishop of Rome. As the Church of Greensburg, this
Diocese serves the people in a specific geographical region. Therefore, the Diocese of
Greensburg and all the local faith communities that comprise it are committed to a single
mission, inspiring and uniting all people of the diocese.
Our Mission
The Church of Greensburg calls together the pilgrim People of
God
in Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties,
under the leadership of the Diocesan Bishop.
This local church responds to the universal call of salvation in Jesus
Christ
by leading individuals, families, parishes and the community at large
on the faith Journey of a Lifetime from conception to eternal life.
Our mission is continually realized by proclaiming God’s Word,
celebrating the Sacraments, forming communities of faith,
and building a just and compassionate society
in which all people may share God’s gifts.
DIOCESAN
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES
- The organizational structures of the Diocese are established to serve this mission.
Catechetically, the Church of Greensburg offers three main venues for catechesis: parishes
and other local faith communities, regional clusters of parishes and diocesan offices and
departments.
Parishes
- As the principal faith community for Catholics, the parish church provides catechesis
for all members throughout their journey of a lifetime. Parishes are charged to
collaborate with the domestic church and other parishes to fulfill their mission of
catechizing. In coordinating and collaborating with neighboring parishes, an individual
parish strives to achieve consistency of practice and development of programming beyond
what any one parish may offer. Parishes exist, not in parochial isolation, but as part of
a communion of parish faith communities united under the leadership of the local bishop.
Regions
- In the Diocese of Greensburg, parishes are grouped into regions in order to advance the
mission of our local church. In the Diocesan vision of Church, parishes should work
together in fulfilling their catechetical mission. Catechetical leadership in each region
is expected to consider what can be done better together. When this consideration
materializes in regional solutions and collaboration in catechesis, catechetical
ministries encompass whole regions, extending beyond the boundaries of individual parishes
and parochial interests. In this vision, parishes in a region may collaborate to hire
professionally prepared ministers to direct the catechetical and youth ministries of the
region. Catechist enrichment and catechetical programs may be designed for the entire
region, and events that require a large number of participants may be planned whenever
possible.
Diocesan Departments and Offices
- Diocesan departments and offices contribute to the mission of the Diocese of Greensburg
by their service to the goals and priorities of the Diocese. As a resource for parishes,
diocesan offices collaborate with pastors and pastoral staffs to provide leadership and
training for the various catechetical ministries of parishes and regions. Generally,
Diocesan offices and departments conduct catechetical ministry and programming through
regional groupings.
ROLE OF THE
BISHOP
- One of the chief duties of a bishop is to teach, to announce the Gospel of Christ and to
call people to faith (CD 12-14). Bishops are "authentic teachers and instructors of
the faith for the faithful entrusted to their care; the faithful must adhere to the
authentic teachings of their own bishops with a sense of religious respect" (CIC
753).
- The Bishop of Greensburg fulfills this role as a sign of unity through preaching,
writing, speaking at special events, participating in youth ministry events, pastoral
visits with parishes, meeting and talking with people, celebrating the sacraments, as well
as establishing and overseeing the functions of the diocesan Department of Education and
Spiritual Formation (DESF).
DIOCESAN
CATECHETICAL MINISTRIES
Department of
Education and Spiritual Formation
- The Bishop of Greensburg established the Department of Education and Spiritual Formation
to provide vision and leadership, direction and guidance, preparation and support for
various ecclesial ministries—including catechetical, educational, pastoral,
sacramental and liturgical ministries. Through the Department, the Diocesan Bishop
exercises and extends his teaching ministry in this local Church.
- The Department of Education and Spiritual Formation is involved in a variety of areas
encompassing: liturgy, worship and sacramental life; catechesis; Catholic schools; and
leadership and ministry development for both clergy and laity. Catechetical
responsibilities of the department include providing leadership, vision, guidance and
advice for parishes and regions in catechizing families, adults, youth and children.
Initiatives include sacramental catechesis, total youth ministry, adult catechesis,
Scouting and athletic programs, and Catholic school education.
- Diocesan catechetical, educational and liturgical leaders are expected to be
professionally prepared and experienced in their area of expertise. Furthermore, they
continue their professional growth in order to provide vision and direction to the varied
ministries of the local Church of Greensburg. The following descriptions provide an
overview of the work of the department:
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Executive Director of the Department of Education and Spiritual Formation
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acts as liaison with the Diocesan Bishop and vicar general
in departmental matters |
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serves as a member of the Diocesan Senior Staff |
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oversees and collaborates with department directors |
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convenes department staff meetings and in-services |
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oversees the projects and programs of departmental offices |
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works on special projects |
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represents the Bishop as a delegate to regional school
boards |
Office for Worship and Word
The Office for Worship and Word provides leadership for the liturgical and catechetical
life of the diocese. This office is charged with:
- advancing the liturgical and sacramental life of the local church;
- developing and monitoring the catechetical vision of partnership among domestic church,
parish church and diocesan church in the diocese;
- strategically assisting the implementation of this vision of catechesis for adults,
youth and children through collaboration with the parish, diocesan and national church.
The Office for Worship and Word assists parishes by providing leadership and guidance
in the areas of liturgy and catechesis. The office offers training and consultation in
specific skill areas for liturgical, catechetical and youth ministry leaders; recommends
appropriate resources (print, electronic and video); advises pastors, liturgical,
catechetical, youth leaders, and principals on all liturgical and catechetical matters
(including religious curriculum); continually studies new developments in worship and
catechetics; and communicates with leaders in regional gatherings. The office also
oversees the implementation of Liturgy of the Word with Children and the development of
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in the Diocese.
Summary of duties or programs:
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Leadership and Resourcing:
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Worship and the sacraments: |
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Liturgical consultant to the Diocesan Bishop |
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Sacramental and liturgical guidelines |
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Liturgical ministries |
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Liturgies with children |
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Building and renovation of worship spaces |
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Liturgical and music planning for diocesan liturgies |
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Catechesis for:
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Families and adults |
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Youth and children |
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The Sacraments:
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Initiation of adults and children of catechetical age |
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Infant Baptism |
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Confirmation and First Communion |
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Reconciliation |
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Marriage |
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Networking with appropriate local, state, regional, national
and international organizations |
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Enrichment and consultation for liturgical and catechetical
ministries:
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Pastors, liturgists and pastoral musicians |
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Parish catechetical leaders and Catholic school principals |
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Youth ministry leaders |
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Parish catechists and Catholic school teachers |
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Oversight of:
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Total Youth Ministry (including Diocesan Athletics and
Catholic Scouting) |
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Liturgy of the Word with Children |
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd |
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Liturgical Considerations |
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The diocesan choir |
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Office for Catholic Schools
The Office for Catholic Schools provides vision and leadership in all matters related
to the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Greensburg. The Office for Catholic Schools
collaborates with the other offices in the Department for Education and Spiritual
Formation to provide catechetical, ministerial and liturgical guidance for Catholic
schools.
Summary of duties or programs:
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Catholic identity |
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Federal and state programs |
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Catholic school personnel |
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Catholic school policies |
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Curriculum development |
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[ITBS] School testing records |
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School studies |
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Catholic school in-service programs |
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PCC Education Department |
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Liaison with Catholic school development |
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Legal concerns |
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School technology |
Office for Ministry Development
The Office for Ministry Development is responsible for promoting a collaborative vision
of ministry among all ecclesial ministers in the diocese (lay and ordained). This office
coordinates recruiting qualified persons for ministry, oversees preparation for ministry
and ongoing enrichment for everyone involved in ecclesial ministry in our local church.
The Office for Ministry Development collaborates with the other offices in the
Department of Education and Spiritual Formation to develop regional and parish leadership
in catechetical, educational, liturgical and pastoral ministries.
Summary of duties or programs:
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Recruitment and preparation of ministry candidates |
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Orientation for new ecclesial ministers |
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Ongoing ministerial development and sabbatical programs |
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Oversight of special clergy programs:
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Fall convocation |
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Spring Bishop’s conference |
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Retreats and special workshops |
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Retirement preparation program |
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Other Diocesan Departments
- Various other Diocesan departments and offices have a distinct catechetical impact as
part of their mission. Parishes, regions and the Department for Education and Spiritual
Formation may avail themselves of their services and should collaborate in furthering our
common mission. In envisioning and developing catechesis for all the elements of parish
life, pastoral leaders might consult with the Stewardship and Development Office, Office
of Parish Social Ministry, Office of Parish Life, Catholic Charities and the Department of
Infomedia Services.
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