The Archdiocese of Omaha needed a pastoral plan in growth areas west of the City where parishes had strong ministries, capable staffs, and excellent Catholic schools. The plan would shape a vision for future growth, identify strategic goals, and direct resources to the most productive ends. Meitler led the creation of the plan with a group of ten parishes serving almost 18,000 Catholic households or about 59,000 Catholics. Four of the ten parishes are close to 3,000 households or 10,000 members each. The plan culminated in the presentation of findings that led to discussions about cultural challenges, moving from maintenance to mission, what healthy growth should be, and opportunities and possibilities for the future.
As a result, the plan articulated a shared vision for parish ministry and evangelization, identified how parishes should work together, called for each parish to further develop their own pastoral plans, and made specific recommendations for when, where, and how new parishes and schools should be established. An implementation plan was developed with timelines and recommendations for capital fund raising. The plan had real potential to unify leadership and direct a coordinated response to the growth opportunities in this area of the Archdiocese.
In addition, Meitler was involved in a number of pastoral planning projects including strategies for metro Omaha parishes. The plan included the identification of potential new parish sites in areas of projected and forecast growth. Rural areas were also studied and plans as well as new models developed.
June 12, 2015 - Catholic Voice: Growing Suburbs Catch Attention
