In 2018, Christ Our Hope, the Diocesan Synod Declaration, underscored one of three key pastoral priorities as “building and supporting vibrant parishes — give people a place where faith lives.”

The declaration describes a vibrant parish as one that “focuses on the spiritual maturity of its members, including on-going catechesis for all members to deepen understanding and love of the truths of the faith; has a culture of shared leadership between the pastor and parishioners; has a strong focus upon the essential nature of the Sunday Eucharist that is celebrated with beauty and reverence; and encourages and empowers its members to embrace a missionary spirit and become evangelizers.”

To help parishes achieve those milestones, a new diocesan document, “Criteria for Vibrant Parishes,” has been created and is currently in the role-out phase.

Deacon Phil Lawson, diocesan executive director of pastoral ministries, explained, “The diocesan Evangelization Committee, the lay formation students and chancery staff worked collaboratively to develop the criteria which was then approved by [Burlington] Bishop [Christopher] Coyne for dissemination and use.”

The document, which has been shared with all parishes/priests via the monthly Chancery Bulletin, “is currently being used by the Presbyteral Council in its pastoral planning deliberations. Parishes also are encouraged to use it as they evaluate their own vibrancy with an eye toward mission and growth,” Deacon Lawson said.

Father Scott Gratton, pastor of Our Lady of the Angels Parish in Randolph and Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Bethel, acknowledged that the criteria “gives us a practical litmus test to see where we thrive or where we have been neglectful. It forces us to take an honest look at our faith communities, to see if we are — first and foremost — growing in love with Jesus in the Eucharist; and, secondly, if we are inspiring those around us to enter into that love as well.”

While the parishes have focused heavily on the Eucharist, as the source and summit of faith, over the past few years, “we have added Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament before or after daily Mass, which has allowed our parishioners to deepen their relationship with God in prayer,” Father Gratton said.

He also pointed to an evangelization program of “prayer and fasting for the souls we hope to bring back to God,” as well as the creation of Our Lady’s Kitchen in which “we serve a free meal to anyone in the community. …This has unified parishioners around a central cause of serving the poor, needy and lonely — and is hopefully converting hearts to come back to the Church.”

For Mary Anne Gummere, a member of the diocesan Evangelization Committee and Corpus Christi Parish based in St. Johnsbury, striving to meet the criteria “will help us to focus on our missionary discipleship and, therefore, bring the life and joy of God to all humanity.”

Gummere acknowledged that while the parish community has not yet discussed the criteria, she believes the parish meets many of them: the “focus on the Eucharist, providing for the spiritual life of its people, being welcoming, etc. Where we lack is in intentionality and communication. We have all the elements but aren’t aware of what each group is doing. I don’t think that our situation of lack of intentionality and communication is unusual for a community.”

Gummere also believes, as Church, “that we are struggling with figuring out how to follow Jesus’s command — go out, love, share, serve, teach. … What are the ways of loving, sharing and serving that will bring the human family into encounter with the person of Jesus Christ?”

Reflecting on her own question, she stressed, “The Holy Spirit is active, and we will find a path.”

Criteria for Vibrant Parishes 

What constitutes a vibrant parish?

This criteria is in response to requests for a document to asses parish vibrancy as well as a model for which to strive. This is a starting point for discussion on how to facilitate building vibrant parishes and what structural changes can be undertaken to achieve this as called for by the 2018 Diocesan Synod.

A vibrant parish: focuses on the spiritual maturity of its members, including on-going catechesis for all members to deepen understanding and love of the truths of the faith; has a culture of shared leadership between the pastor and parishioners; has a strong focus upon the essential nature of the Sunday Eucharist that is celebrated with beauty and reverence; and encourages and empowers its members to embrace a missionary spirit and become evangelizers. 

—Christ our Hope: Declaration of the 2018 Synod of the Diocese of Burlington

“Vibrant Parishes are life-giving, both for their congregations and their communities. They foster lives of holiness and discipleship among their members and joyfully desire to share that same gift of faith in Jesus Christ with those they encounter.”

—What Makes a Parish Vibrant? – 2019 Spring Vermont Catholic magazine In A Vibrant Parish:

The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the parish’s life and is celebrated with reverence, beauty, dignity and active participation.

Evangelization, the invitation to follow Jesus Christ and belong to His Church, is an essential aspect and focus of the parish and a missionary spirit of outreach is present.

The spiritual life of its people is actively nurtured; including through regular retreats, small groups, adoration, and devotions.

Community life is actively fostered and a joyful spirit of welcome and hospitality is present.

A full program of ongoing faith formation for all ages, including a yearly RCIA, is offered.

An intentional ministry to those who are least represented in the parish, especially youth ministry, is promoted.

The social teachings of the Church are actively lived out, especially through the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

There is an active pastoral council, finance council and other appropriate consultative bodies; with a culture of shared leadership between the pastor and parishioners.

Communication within the parish and the community is proactive and intentional.

The resources: human, spiritual, financial, and physical are present to carry out its mission.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are tangibly present and experienced in the parish. (Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-Control, Chastity)

Question for Reflection: If our parish were to close tomorrow, would anyone who doesn’t belong to the parish notice or be affected? —Divine Renovation

Resources:

Bishop Kenneth Angell: 2001 Criteria For Parish Vitality

2017-18 Diocese of Burlington Synod

Catholic Leadership Institute https://www.catholicleaders.org/

Divine Renovation https://www.divinerenovation.org/ Father James Mallon

Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel

Tom Quinlan: Elements in Building a Renewed and Evangelizing Parish – 16 elements

Archdiocese of Washington, Indicators of Vitality

—Originally published in the Winter 2022 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.