By Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, OFM
Historically, parishes in Hong Kong have had a long-standing tradition of formulating annual plans. Usually before the end of the year, members of the pastoral team and the parish council gather for half a day or a full day to strategise and make arrangements for the coming year.
However, this type of annual planning can at best be regarded as a calendar of events, making routine arrangements for major activities such as parish outings or patronal feast celebrations. It falls short of genuine development because it spans only a single year. Over time, parishes can easily fall into the dead end of being busy without direction, year in and year out.
Have parishes had any experience in formulating long-term development plans over all these years? In fact, they have.
In 2020, the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy issued the instruction, The Pastoral Conversion of the Parish Community in the Service of the Evangelising Mission of the Church which aimed to transform the parish from a mere administrative unit into a faith centre that actively evangelises and accompanies the community. This requires the clergy and lay faithful to share co-responsibility, step out of their comfort zones, and provide more vibrant, human-centred pastoral service for modern society.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the diocese, in 2021, invited all parishes to formulate three-year renewal plans, which received an enthusiastic response. In light of this, the diocese is redoubling its efforts this year by requesting all parishes to sustain this spirit of renewal and formulate new development plans. What key elements should such a plan include?
Synodality / walking together: The plan should be the fruit of “Conversation in the Spirit” among key core members of the parish community. At a minimum, these include the pastoral team and the executive committee of the parish council. For some parishes, it may also include the parish pastoral general council and leaders of various lay associations.
Throughout the process, members need to communicate with humility and candour, listen to one another, and together listen to the Holy Spirit to seek consensus and determine the plan under the Spirit’s guidance.
Parish-centric: Clearly, every parish has unique circumstances. Therefore, a development plan must begin with understanding the community’s current situation—analysing its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats [SWOT]—to build on strengths, compensate for weaknesses, and turn crises into opportunities. Laypeople and clergy must take responsibility in their respective roles, co-shouldering parish affairs and bearing the mission of evangelization.
Step-by-Step progression: Since it is a development plan, it cannot merely be a checklist of events. Parishes naturally need to hold events, but these activities must be interconnected, advancing gradually according to a clear order and steps. By building a solid foundation, progressing from the superficial to the profound, and maintaining clear strategy and direction, a plan can truly be called “development.”
Responding to the community: It is vital to understand the current state and future trends of the neighborhood where the parish is situated, while building close ties with local Catholic entities—especially church schools, Caritas, and other organisations—to create synergy and maximize the Church’s capacity to serve the community and spread the gospel.
Evangelisation-oriented: According to the Second Vatican Council’s Lumen Gentium, the Church exists to fulfill God’s plan of salvation, bringing all humanity together as one in the Lord. The Church does not exist for herself; on the contrary, all her activities and plans must hold evangelisation as their ultimate goal.
Generally speaking, a parish development plan should start by nurturing and equipping the faithful, then building consensus and gathering strength to move from the inside out, always directed toward evangelisation.
