Challenges We Face

CACE Annual MeetingOctober 27-30, 2013 Columbus, Ohio1

CACE Annual MeetingOctober 27-30, 2013 Columbus, OhioDiocesan Educational Leadership andAdministration: Pastoral, Ecclesial and Effective

Bishop Blase Cupich

22CACE Annual MeetingOctober 27-30, 2013 Columbus, OhioIntroduction

Looking at the Whole:

A Task Necessary for One Who Has Responsibility for the Details

OUTLINEThe Present Context

1. New Evangelization - Faith as Transformative Encounter

2. The Francis Effect Recovery of a Christian Epistemology 4OUTLINEFour Points of Direction for Pastoral, Ecclesial and Effective Leadership and Administration

Taps Tradition as a ResourceAppreciates the Unique Opportunities of the Present MomentIs Realistic about BreakdownsPursues the Goal of Communion

Concluding Remarks and Questions5The Present Context

1. New Evangelization Faith as Transformative Encounter

Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. ~Benedict XVIDeus Caritas Est

1. New Evangelization Faith as Transformative EncounterEvangelization should not be seen primarily as a communication of doctrine or even of a message. It means introducing people to a blessed and liberating union with the Lord Jesus, who lives in the community that cherishes His memory and invokes His spirit. To evangelize is never a matter of mere words. It is an invitation to others to enter the community of the disciples and to participate in the new consciousness that disciples alone can bring. Cardinal Avery Dulles

7The Present Context1. New Evangelization Faith as Transformative Encounter

A Fresh Understanding of the Resurrection of Christ as It Relates to the Eucharist

Christ is always exercising his priestly ministry, but in the Eucharist He makes present his victory and triumph over death.Sacrosanctum Concilium 6 and 7.

The Present Context2. The Francis Effect Recovery of a Christian Epistemology

A distinction between conceptualization and appropriation.

Life as a journey.

The Present ContextSUMMARY STATEMENTCatechesis, preaching and passing on the faith must not only be about educating the members of our communities in the content of our tradition. This is important, but it must equally be about developing their spiritual sensitivity to the ways God manifests his presence and action in the world. The Present ContextSchooling people in the ways of ongoing discernment produces a greater receptivity to the tradition of the church and at the same time creates the freedom that will make them more responsive to the will of God throughout their lives. This balance is in keeping with the Lords great commission: Go teach AND make disciples.

The Present ContextWhat does this present context suggest are the key elements for an approach to administration and leadership in the Church today that is ecclesial, pastoral and effective? Four Points of Direction for Pastoral, Ecclesial and Effective Leadership and AdministrationTaps Tradition as a Resource

Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant dictatorship of those who merely happen to be alive at this time.

1. Taps Tradition as a Resource

Democracy objects to people being disqualified by the accident of birth; Tradition objects to their being disqualified by the accident of their death. Democracy tells us not to neglect a good mans opinion, even if he cleans our stable; Tradition asks us not to neglect a good mans opinion, even if he is our father. G.K. Chesterton

1. Taps Tradition as a ResourceExample of the formation of the Gospels

Tradition is a Handing On which implies a connectedness with the past, the present among ourselves and the future

Leadership and Administration has a chance of being ecclesial, pastoral and effective if the starting point is an awareness that we minister in a continuum, within a tradition.2. Appreciates the Unique Opportunities of the Present MomentThe Blessing of Each Day

Self Confidence

Making a Difference

Gods Work

3. Is Realistic about BreakdownsThe World Is NOT Flat

(pace Thomas Friedman)

2. Is Realistic About Breakdowns Are we speaking the same language?

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3. Is Realistic about BreakdownsBreaks Offer BreaksSlow DownFresh PerspectiveNew Opportunities

4. Pursues the Goal of CommunionWhat does leadership look like that aims not just at unity but communion, which involves mutual self sharing, sacrifice and sharing?What does administration look like that aims at keeping in balance the needs of all, especially those at the margins?Are people growing? Are they moving away from the natural tendency of isolation and developing the internal freedom to love?

2020Concluding RemarksEach Element is Important not just in isolation but as they relate to each other

The Eucharist As Paradigm of the WholeJesus Took BreakBlessed ItBroke ItGave It To His Disciples21Concluding RemarksUnderstand:

Everywhere is the Chapel

and those we serve make it sacred.22The Bottom LineWhat we have loved, others will love and we will teach them how.

~ William Wordsworth2323AND DISCUSSIONQUESTIONS???CACE Annual MeetingOctober 27-30, 2013 Columbus, Ohio25