by Tom Gallagher
From Scranton's The Times-Tribune:
The invitation was conveyed in a pastoral letter Bishop Joseph C. Bambera delivered Sunday, the first of Advent.
In it, he outlined broad elements of his vision for the diocese and asked clergy and parishioners to reflect on the needs and challenges facing the church in a series of response questions they can submit to his office.
The responses are due by Feb. 28 and Bishop Bambera said he hopes to announce a formal vision in April, near the first anniversary of his installation.
"It is my sincere hope that our vision for the years ahead ... will emerge through continued conversation with priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful," he said. "Rather than suggest new programs to implement, I suggest that we move together in the direction of constant growth and renewal, step-by-step, little by little."
This past June, I wrote a story about how the Honolulu diocese created a "road map" for its future and the substantial effort it takes to get it right. Take a look here.
