Hub diocese sets renewal programs
After years of parish closings, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has tapped a New Jersey organization to revive its membership with strategies that include pastor training, a citywide survey, and small groups studying topics such as reconciliation and restoring trust.
The program, which starts this fall, is meant to be the focus of the 200th anniversary of the archdiocese, which includes 295 parishes. Twenty years ago, the archdiocese oversaw more than 400 parishes, according to its spokesman. "We want people to come back to the church," said spokesman Terrence C. Donilon. "But it's not numbers for numbers' sake."
The nonprofit consultant, RENEW International, is based in Plainfield, N.J., and was founded in 1976 by two leaders of the Archdiocese of Newark. It has ministered to 13,000 American parishes, and from 2002 to 2004 worked with Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley in Fall River before he assumed command of the Boston Archdiocese.
Each parish pays $1,800 to participate, and parishioners pay for their own books in the small, six-week study sessions, said Sister Theresa Rickard, executive director of RENEW International. Rickard, who has traveled to Boston at least six times since August to listen to leaders in the community, said she hopes that at least half the parishes join.
Stephen Pope, a professor of theology at Boston College, said the program is one way to retain parishioners who are converting to Pentecostal Protestantism.
"It's a very emotionally based form of worship," Pope said. "The RENEW program is trying to enhance the opportunities [at] the parish level for people who want a more engaged faith."
The first part of Boston's program, called "ARISE: Together in Christ," is an online survey for parishioners and church leaders.
April Yee can be reached at ayee@globe.com. 