Strategic Planning Process

In May of 2003, Archbishop Dolan commissioned a Strategic Planning Task Force to examine how the central offices of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee provide services and support to the ministries of our parishes and schools. The task force was also asked to examine the issues related to seven priorities the Archbishop had established as the broad mandate for its work.

Using the Gospel as the vision for the Church in southeastern Wisconsin, the task force spent time discussing what the role of the central offices is and why the role is essential to building the Catholic community in the Archdiocese.

Additionally, Archbishop Dolan asked the task force to:

• Identify and prioritize the strategic issues facing the Church in southeastern Wisconsin, particularly those involving service of central office support to parishes, schools and ministry toward the greater Catholic community.
• Consult with parish and school leaders and other advisory groups in development of the plan recommendations.
• Examine structures and staffing of the central offices, and align the structures for effective interaction with parish and school leaders and the work of the Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, composed of lay representatives from each parish in the diocese.

For the last nine months, the task force of 14 individuals, including members of the priests and pastoral councils, have been meeting, collecting data through surveys and discussing the needs of the Church in southeastern Wisconsin, along with how best the central offices can respond to those needs through prayer, outreach, education and support services. Input has been gathered from more than 1,500 individuals.

With the mandate of "Seek first the Kingdom of God" (MT 6:33), the task force analyzed the six specific priority areas established by Archbishop Dolan. The six areas are: Spiritual Life, Parishes, Catholic Education and Life-long Faith Formation, Social Ministry, Stewardship and Ministerial Formation. The task force added a seventh area, Leadership and Governance. Under this framework the task force has taken the input from parish and school leaders, advisory groups and central office staff.

The task force will complete its work and present its recommendations to Archbishop Dolan in March 2004, after review and consultation with both the priests council and pastoral council.

Why is this important? What impact can it have on the 700,000 individual Catholics in southeastern Wisconsin?

Many Catholics never come in direct contact with the central offices of the Archdiocese. They may know Archbishop Dolan, but the majority of their contact with "the Church" comes through their local parish or school.

Meanwhile, the structure that supports many of the ministries, education and formation of parishes, pastors and staff exists at the archdiocesan central offices. Through the central offices, parish musicians and liturgists are trained; parishes find administrative support, training and in-service programs; priests, deacons and lay ministers are formed at Saint Francis Seminary; counseling is made available and child abuse prevention programs have been developed through Catholic Charities; marriage preparation programs and family retreats are offered for Catholics throughout the Archdiocese; continuing education is provided for priests and deacons; homebound ministry and Sunday missalette service are available. These are just a few of the many examples of services and programs currently provided by the central offices of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Focusing on how best to deliver these services and support to our parishes and schools will only increase their effectiveness for the faithful Catholics who benefit from them.