Southern Nebraska Register
Two new listening sessions for laity have been scheduled as the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln gathers feedback as part of its strategic planning process.
The new virtual listening sessions, conducted online over Zoom, will be Wednesday, April 23, from noon to 1 p.m. and Monday, April 28, from noon to 1 p.m. The sessions will be in addition to one already scheduled for Saturday, April 12, from 3 to 4 pm. All times are Central Daylight Time.
Everyone in the diocese is strongly encouraged to sign up for one of the remaining listening sessions. The directed sessions last one hour and ask for feedback about challenges and opportunities facing the diocese, and suggestions for priorities and improvements as plans are developed for the next five to 10 years.
“We have had strong participation in our listening sessions thus far,” said Jennifer Gutierrez of JAG Consulting, who is moderating the sessions and will compile the comments into a final report to Bishop James Conley in May. “The feedback we receive will help form the vision and the pillars of the diocesan plan moving forward.”
“Honest feedback is an important part of this process,” Bishop Conley said. “We hope parishioners across the diocese will take an hour of their time to help us shape the future of the Lincoln Diocese.”
Four laity sessions have already been held with an average of about 20 people in each session. Listening sessions have also been held with pastors and religious sisters, ministry leaders and diocesan employees.
“I have been very impressed with the thoughtful suggestions, questions, and engagement of the laity, staff, priests and religious with whom we have had the privilege to speak,” Gutierrez said. “The addition of two more laity sessions is a great opportunity for even more lay faithful to help shape the future of our diocese.”
To register for a listening session, go online to lincolndiocese.regfox.com/lincoln-diocese-jubilee-listening-session. Each session is limited to 30 participants. The goal is to have all demographic groups and all geographic areas of the diocese represented in the sessions. While participation in the listening sessions is preferred, comments may also be directed to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8QDZTL2 for those unable to attend a session.
Once the report from all the listening sessions is complete, Bishop Conley and the strategic planning team will work to form a vision, mission and strategic plan over the summer. A final strategic plan is scheduled to be released in the fall of this year.
