Thursday, May 30, 2019, will mark 15 years since the Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB, promulgated his Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of London.

At the Diocesan Centre, we recently had the pastoral plan enlarged and mounted in our conference room, where it will be a visible reminder that the Plan guides, inspires, and informs everything that we do.The Crucifix is at one end of the conference room, and the Pastoral Plan is at the other end, with the conference table exactly in the middle.
 

"The Pastoral Plan was our response to the request of the Pope John Paul II, who instructed each diocese to develop a pastoral plan, so that the Gospel would take root in the life of the Church as we began the new millennium.

"I think you will find that the Pastoral Plan affirms much that is already being done in your parish. As we look ahead, the six goal statements of the Pastoral Plan establish a clear focus for our parishes. By committing ourselves to these goals, we declare that we will be accountable to one another in doing what we set out to do."

Here is the Plan:

EMBRACING A FUTURE FULL OF HOPE

A Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of London

For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Preamble:
Called by Jesus through baptism into his passion, death and resurrection and anointed by the Spirit, we, the people of God in the Diocese of London, are to be living signs of Christ’s presence in the world today. United in Christ, the Bread of Life, we commit ourselves to carrying out the mission of proclaiming the coming of the kingdom of God in our time. We embrace the Gospel – believing what we read, preaching what we believe, and practicing what we preach.

As a people of faith, trusting in the Spirit who leads us, we dedicate ourselves to the following goals:

Goal I:
As living signs of Christ’s presence, we will respond to the call to personal holiness given to all by committing ourselves to opportunities for ongoing conversion and spiritual renewal.

Goal II:
Called by Christ, we will evangelize through the clear proclamation of the Gospel and the constant teaching of the Catholic faith, assuring that such proclamation and teaching is linked to the life experience of the people.

Goal III:
With our sights set on the mission of Jesus, we will minister with justice and compassion to the wounded, the searching, the entrapped and those in material and spiritual need.

Goal IV:
As the Body of Christ, formed by word and sacrament, we will make provision for meaningful liturgical celebrations in our parish communities to ensure full, conscious and active participation by all.

Goal V:
Inviting all to co-responsible ministry, we will encourage and support the ongoing formation of laity, religious and ordained.

Goal VI:
Imitating Christ the servant-leader, we will employ and model governance practices at all levels that seek to: meet the needs of God’s people, support the Church’s mission, ensure appropriate participation in decision-making by the laity, religious and ordained, uphold Gospel stewardship, and promote accountability and transparency.

Promulgated at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica in London, Ontario on May 30, 2004, the Solemnity of Pentecost

Most Rev. Ronald Fabbro, CSB,
Bishop of London