Progress on First Year Goals of the
Pastoral Plan of Action
By the National Black Catholic Congress
(Page 3 of 10)
Progress is strong on the action steps
related to Spirituality, particularly in the incorporation of cultural
symbols, languages, and experiences in parish liturgies. Nearly all
respondents also reported progress on the principles of Parish Life
(they are taking steps to identify and affirm the gifts and talents of
parishioners) and Youth and Young Adults (they are taking steps to
involve youth and young adults in parish leadership roles and
liturgies). Progress on HIV-AIDS education (both parenting and youth
awareness) is also strong.
FIGURE 2 - PLANTING THE SEED: OVERVIEW OF FINDINGS
Spirituality Principle
Three action steps were
designated for pursuing the principle of Spirituality over the first
year of the Pastoral Plan.
Action Step 1: Nearly all
respondents reported greater inclusion of Africentric symbols,
experiences, and language in parish liturgies. The most often
mentioned challenge of meeting this goal is how to develop acceptance
and support for the use of Africentric symbols and liturgies among
parishioners and pastors, particularly in parishes with few Black
Catholics. A related challenge is maintaining broad acceptance-that is,
teaching youth, parish newcomers, new Catholics, or those who join the
parish as the result of parish closings and mergers, about the purposes
and premises of Africentric liturgies.
The other major challenge is
finding balance so as to appeal to the needs and preferences of all
parishioners. In some parishes, the trick is finding balance between
traditional and less-traditional Catholic liturgies. In multicultural,
multilingual parishes, including those with African immigrants and
refugees, the challenge is finding an acceptable balance in the parish
between the various cultural traditions, languages, and liturgical
styles.
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