Know, Love, Serve: pastoral plan ends, but the mission of formation and parish renewal continues

For the past four years the Diocese has been working through a pastoral plan process. The process known as the Know, Love, Serve process (KLS) was set out in a pastoral letter issued by Bishop Blase Cupich, entitled “Joy Made Complete.” The process of bringing this document to publication on the feast of the Assumption 2014, and its implementation in the KLS process has been marked by collaboration between laity and clergy, as well as between parish and diocesan ministries. The broad themes of the Know Love Serve process included: 

•  Teaching of the Apostles – Faith Formation – Leadership Development 
•  Community Building – Youth – Young Adults 
•  Liturgical Renewal – Discipleship – Stewardship
•  Outreach – Ecumenism – Evangelization

With assemblies each fall kicking off these themes and providing speakers to help form and inspire lay leaders in parishes and teachers in the schools, Know, Love, Serve provided a framework for pastoral planning at the parish level; even laying out parish goals for each year. The pastoral plan ends this summer, but it is clear that the work begun by the KLS process is not ending. Brian Kraut, the diocesan Director of Evangelization, spoke on the end of the KLS process in terms of continuity and ongoing pastoral work rather than as a definite end. “For those who are concerned that we didn’t do everything, know it is ongoing. It is constantly reflecting on what you have done, discerning what still needs to happen, make a plan and do it.”

Bishop Daly, who was installed as bishop of Spokane midway through the KLS pastoral plan, also shared his understanding of the aim of the KLS process, “Know, Love, Serve provided opportunities for the faithful of the diocese to gather, seeking to grow in their faith.” Looking to the future he said, “We will continue with assemblies each fall, and with ongoing pastoral planning for the needs of our people and for the salvation of souls.” 

The diocesan fall assembly will serve as a major annual event to support the ongoing formation of parish staff, as well as for teachers. This event, overseen by the diocesan Office of Evangelization, will focus on the areas of formation that lay leaders ask for and need. The aim of the assembly will be to equip those leaders to pursue goals for ministry in the diocese: growth in holiness, formation of the youth, and vocational discernment.

“Just as I have placed an emphasis on the ongoing formation of priest and deacons, it is important that we make a commitment as a diocese to gather the people for ongoing formation of teachers and the laity.” said Bishop Daly. 

In the pastoral letter “Joy Made Complete,” Bishop Cupich asked a poignant question: “Are you personally ready and willing to share Christ, who has touched your heart, with others?” The entirety of the KLS process was focused around the concern that having met Christ, and having our heart touched by Him, how can we share Him with others? 

Brian Kraut, who was responsible for implementing the KLS process at the diocesan level, pointed out that at the heart of the KLS process was a call to holiness. Kraut tied this central theme with Bishop Daly’s pastoral priorities saying that the fall assemblies will allow pastors and lay leaders “to gather to grow in holiness, to be prepared to form our young people, and to grow in vocations.” 

The diocesan Fall Assembly will occur October 5, 2018. Pastors, teachers and parish lay leaders will gather to be equipped and inspired to continue their work of leading, forming, and encouraging the parish and school communities they serve.