(Editor's Note: This article is one in a series addressing parish leadership.)

In his introduction to a day-long conference on parish leadership, Deacon Dave Estrada, director of Synod Implementation, asked a key question: "Given the signs of the times, what is God saying to us and what is the Holy Spirit empowering us to do?"

"The concept of priest-less parishes is no longer just a concept," Estrada continued. "It will soon be a reality."

Thus was the challenge issued --- for discussion, if not immediate action --- to the Regional Pastoral Councils assembled Sept. 24 at American Martyrs Church in Manhattan Beach. The conference, "Challenges and Opportunities for Future Staffing in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles," followed one day after a three-day meeting of church leaders from 18 western dioceses to share and discuss new models of parish pastoral leadership.

At American Martyrs, members of the five Regional Pastoral Councils --- created as part of the implementation of the Archdiocesan Synod --- grappled with the many challenges and opportunities facing the archdiocese as it looks at future staffing and as it answers the question, "Who will lead God's people?" In response to the Synod initiative on leadership, council members discussed key questions on the minds of parishioners in their regions and stimulating conversation brought forth the hopes, fears and dreams connected with planning and staffing in the Archdiocese.

Auxiliary Bishop Gerald Wilkerson, named by Cardinal Roger Mahony as director of a Task Force on alternative parish staffing, explained the role of Parish Life Directors (PLDs) soon to be named and the realities facing the archdiocese.

"We will have to live some of the questions" until plans are developed and become more clear, said Bishop Wilkerson. He also pointed out that this is a time of challenge, but also an exciting time in the church as well. "We're on the brink of a huge renewal," he emphasized.

Cathy Brudnicki, of the Santa Barbara Regional Pastoral Council, noted that, on the way to the event, "we were talking about our responsibility as Catholics to own our church. I look forward to today's meeting because I hope it's going to address some of those issues and concerns."

Brudnicki pointed out, "We really need to preserve the energy of our priests and deacons for the things that only they can do and the rest of us cannot do. I truly believe that the scarcity of vocations is the work of the Spirit. We have to take ownership of our church or we won't have a church."

'Mission or maintenance?'

Likewise voicing a sense of hope, presenter Dominican Sister Donna Ciangio noted that "everything in flux is creative." As director of Pastoral Services for the National Pastoral Life Center, Sister Ciangio stated, "My passion is the parish." Pope John Paul II, she pointed out, said much the same when he emphasized, "It is the parish which gives the church essential life."

Sister Ciangio described a vibrant parish community as one that has leadership, conversion, mission, hospitality and evangelization. Noting the problem of staffing and stretching present leadership too far, Ciangio asked, "Are we about mission or maintenance? A church doesn't have a mission. A mission has a church!"

Statistics on the Archdiocese taken from the 2005 Kenedy Directory reveal an archdiocesan picture both challenging and daunting. Of 288 parishes, archdiocesan priests staff 217. And of the 356 active archdiocesan priests, 110 (or nearly 31 percent) are between the ages of 60-75.

Permanent deacons serving in the archdiocese, meanwhile, number 243 and it is estimated that this number will grow while the number of active incardinated priests will decline.

In the afternoon session Loyola Marymount University professor Dr. Michael Horan offered the theological implications of the realities facing the archdiocese. He asked key questions in response to current planning possibilities and the statistics given the Regional Pastoral Councils: What makes a vibrant Christian community? And what do the statistics and planning mean?

Father Brian Joyce, pastor of Christ the King Church, Pleasant Hill (in the Oakland Diocese), spoke about the role of the Regional Pastoral Councils in assisting in building strong communities. "Our parishes must be a home rather than a company of strangers," said Father Joyce.

Emphasizing the centrality of the Eucharist as vital to parish life, Father Joyce urged Council members to remember, "The Eucharist gives us our identity. When you receive Communion you receive the person next to you." And he reminded the Councils of their role: "We are called to be pioneers, not survivalists."

Discussion comments

In small groups, Regional Pastoral Council members discussed the issues facing their regions. Some of what followed was overheard in discussion:

Regarding challenges facing the regions:

"A challenge is figuring out how we can implement the objectives of the Synod in our parishes because people are at many different stages of pastoral formation and community."

"The institution doesn't trust the laity to do its job."

"A few of them [parishes in the region] don't have parish councils."

"The laity don't feel empowered."

"Where I am from, the people don't want to feel empowered."

"Frankly, none of us is looking at more work to do."

"We have the poorest of the poor and some of the wealthiest in the region."

Voices of hope:

"I have been blessed and stunned at the willingness of people to get involved and to make it happen."

"The mission hasn't changed."

"Change is always threatening."

"We've been asking the wrong questions."

"I feel blessed that I have the time, the ability and wherewithall to participate in all this"

"Sister Donna has ignited my fire."

"We can get discouraged or we can dream. We are in formation."

'A realistic view'

Deacon Estrada said the formation day event provided Regional Pastoral Council members "with a very realistic view of the many challenges and opportunities evident in our church today. The presenters' marvelous insights and commentaries gave the council members considerable food for thought as they proceed to assist the Regional Bishops in caring for the needs of the faithful."

Looking to the near future, he added, "With the prospect of alternative parish leadership now well within our horizon, it is imperative that our regional councils have a clear understanding of what lies ahead, especially in terms of who will be called upon to tend to the pastoral care of the faithful within a parish setting."