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Portsmouth cluster learning to handle growing pains

By Barbara Hughes
Special to The Catholic Virginian

“It’s not the ideal, but I’m not of the mindset that we get into the habit of closing parishes because we go through some tough times,” Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo told the staff and leadership who represented the Portsmouth Cluster at a meeting on January 31.

In June of 2005, Bishop DiLorenzo designated Resurrection, Holy Angels, and St. Paul parishes in Portsmouth along with St. Mary’s in Bower’s Hill, Chesapeake, as one of the parish clusters in the Diocese of Richmond.

Eighteen months later he met with the cluster leadership in Portsmouth to hear from them how things are progressing.

During his opening remarks the bishop thanked the group for their tremendous energy and patience in the midst of continual adjustments that take place.

“Parishes are living organisms,” said the bishop. “They are born, they develop and anytime you have development you have some crises along the way.”

Comparing it to a family where a couple starts out together for better or worse, Bishop DiLorenzo pointed out, “It’s usually for the better.”

But, he noted “It’s only when crises come that you’re really challenged.

“Those who endure in relationships somehow feel better about themselves because they have endured and they see something that is good and worthwhile.”

The bishop pointed out that the Diocese of Richmond has a history of having independent parishes as well as some that depend on those from elsewhere. With the current growth and development that Virginia is experiencing, he sees the diocese as being in somewhat of a holding pattern.

Referencing parishes such as St. Patrick in Richmond and Sacred Heart in Norfolk, he made the case that parishes grow and decline based on economic and social conditions which tend to change. Some areas that were once in decline are now booming.

“We have to be continually on the cutting edge of planning and try as best we can in terms of Church by continually adjusting to what appears to be an ever changing environment and set of circumstances,” said Bishop DiLorenzo.

Commenting that some see cluster parishes as a drastic measure, he said he views the creation of a cluster far less drastic than closing parishes.

“Any one of the four parishes in this cluster may have a whole other future,” he said. “Rather than precipitously close parishes, let’s wait and see what happens.”

The bishop stressed that while this generation waits, the future generation may bring further development, an increase in population and economic fortune, in which case further repositioning may be required to meet future needs.

Acknowledging that it’s not easy, Bishop DiLorenzo said he is eternally grateful for the effort that has been made.

Following his remarks those present were invited to share their perspective with the bishop.

While many present found that the cluster concept offered an opportunity to expand relationships and enjoy having two priests, some found that they were still trying to adjust.

Bob Collette from St. Mary’s in Bower’s Hill said, “We’re learning by groping along and finding out what works best.”

He admitted the change is easier for them since they didn’t have an assigned pastor in the past, but had worked with a pastoral coordinator.

Most agreed that one of the greatest shared challenges was the scheduling of liturgies. Some complained about the priests being on such a tight schedule as they travel from parish to parish. This has created the lack of availability as an issue.

They noted that scheduling of shared liturgies during the Easter Triduum is also problematic. When only one liturgy is celebrated on each of the three days for the cluster, the two smaller parishes are not used as the worship site because their space is unable to accommodate people from all four parishes.

Jeff Foster, Cluster Parishes Coordinator, reminded the group that to date they have experienced only one Triduum and that it was a learning experience.

He pointed out that the second Christmas went better than the first because some of the problems from the first year had been addressed.

Dell Ridge from Resurrection objected that a devotional spirituality had been imposed on a sacramental community and that many felt devalued.

Bishop DiLorenzo pointed out that these challenges have been ongoing and that they were saying the same thing last year.

“The problem needs to be resolved so everyone can move on,” he said.

“The group that feels discomfort has to make some choices,” Bishop DiLorenzo continued. “I don’t know what those choices are.

“It may well mean finding a different church. It’s like putting on a set of clothes that doesn’t fit year after year and complaining it doesn’t fit.

“You can’t keep saying it doesn’t fit, you have to do something about it,” Bishop DiLorenzo said.

Leonard Rich of Resurrection voiced his concern over the number of people who have left and those who are struggling to stay as part of the cluster.

When pressed by Bishop DiLorenzo about how many were struggling, Mr. Rich said it was difficult to know for sure but put the number at about 50.

Bishop DiLorenzo pointed out that some people have a non-conventional Catholicism and that issue is not related to parish clustering. Theology issues with the Catholic Church need to be addressed by those experiencing the problem.

“This is not a cluster issue,” the bishop said, “but it may have taken us this long to get to this point to see the difference.”

In response, he offered to meet with the 50 or so people to address theological issues and suggested inviting priests who were instrumental in their formation as a parish community.

Some expressed their appreciation for the open manner of the diocese with which the case of Father Rodney Rodis was handled. The bishop responded that he is in favor of being open and up front about issues.

He also suggested that as a cluster, the four parishes need to decide on the level of checks and controls they would like in place.

Mr. Foster expressed his gratitude to the cluster staff for working hard every day to create a model for a cluster parish.

In closing, Bishop DiLorenzo once again offered his thanks and added “In the future, if you’d like me to meet with you, just give me an invitation, but I think you’re launched.”

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