The relation between some parishes and the national and global communities can be seen from a few responses to the reflection questions.

• A social justice group raises awareness and serves the poor and supports those who do, i.e., Campaign for Human Development, and all other diocesan missionary and relief efforts.
• A parish helped relief efforts for the flood victims in Tijuana by monetary donations and by transporting food, medicine, blankets, and clothing.
• The parish is part of greater efforts, such as national pro-life marches.
• The Social Action for Peace and Justice Committee brings issues of concern to the attention of the parish and provides ways of enlightening elected representatives as to its position.

The participants offered additional ways in which their parishes reach out to the global community. One pastor takes groups to Haiti to help them gain a first hand understanding of the problems there. A parish bought a tractor for people in Nigeria, while another raised money to build housing for teachers in Kenya. Many referred to their support of missions. And as one participant explained, parishes with any immigrant community can in some way affect the country of origin of the people in that community.

When asked what they did to help people in their parishes see that they are part of a global community, participants responded that two important methods are the homily and adult formation.

A participant explained that the priests seated at his table represented parishes that have military bases and state colleges within their boundaries. Their parishioners also include CEO's who are in charge of international companies. Therefore, they use the homily to convey ideas that will have an impact on the people present-people who eventually go to the Pentagon, CEO's who eventually work with executives from other countries, and college professors who teach students. These parishioners can influence the people they meet. As expressed by the pastor: "I guess what it says is don't slop your Sunday sermon away. Make sure it is a value for people to hear."

The participants were asked whether they have been or are pastors of a parish that has a twinning relationship with another parish outside the United States. More than half the priests responded affirmatively.

An example of service to the global community was offered by one of the priests. "I spent a sabbatical in Tanzania with the Maryknollers and in Ethiopia with CRS. Before I left on sabbatical the parishioners gave me $16,000 to take with me to Africa, because they knew that I would be on the scene and they knew the money would get to people who needed it. Likewise the parish I'm in now, we have a sister parish in Guatemala and a sister parish in our own inner city." He further explained that parish groups have visited Guatemala, and groups from the Guatemalan parish have visited them.

However, participants also recognized obstacles to nurturing a global view on the part of the parish. As one person wrote in a reflection question response: "[My parishioners] see little relationship between faith and citizenship, national or world. My members do not see church beyond the walls of the structure. Younger members are so focused on family that little time or resource is left for such a larger focus. Service to environment and poor is left to a very small 'aware' group of parishioners. However, ministry and holiday service projects always secure a very positive response. I sense we are a community that could, in time, truly respond to the call to service of nation and world."

Another pastor responded: "The question before us today is: 'What impact are we having?' If you had asked me where are we failing I'd give you a longer list. I really believe this very sincerely. I think we spend too much time bemoaning what we are not doing and not recognizing the good the Lord permits us to do. That was the question today: What are we doing?"

In many cases the pastors provide the vision and leadership, at least initially. However, someone stated that pastors may also need guidance in this area. He explained that although there are a tremendous number of talented pastors across the country, they sometimes need a source of vision in order to organize and give focus to their ministries and what they are trying to accomplish in this environment. "Some people can generate that for themselves, but most people really need help to do that."

One participant reported that he and some others were puzzled that the focus of this symposium was the priest as an empowerer. However, from listening to one another's experience, it became very clear to them just how critical pastors are to the parish. "From the examples that were shared around the table, ministry happened or didn't happen because of the pastor." He referred to a sentiment expressed by a college rector who explained that how a group feels about itself comes from the top down and how much a group gets done comes from the bottom up.

Another pastor spoke about the development of lay leadership and how he then allows "the people to have ownership of the parish. To realize that the parish was theirs as much as it was his." He explained that to accomplish this, a priest must have good listening skills. He must not only listen to what the people say, but must move the people to take action themselves.

After hearing this, one participant wondered what would happen if that parish were to close tomorrow? The response was: "I suspect they would go on. . . . None of the programs depend upon me except to give them money. But otherwise the administration of them depends upon others, and I suspect they would even be able to get the money if they really had to." Another pastor added that a few years ago his current parish had to face the possibility of closing. The parishioners decided they would do all that was necessary to continue being a parish, and sound lay participation in the conduct of the parish's affairs has kept them together. Another group spoke about people in parish ministry who had been formed as leaders and who in turn formed others.

However, positive results do not need to be measured in large numbers. One priest said there are many levels of commitment, even on the parish's staff. He is very happy if he impacts twelve people and really helps them to grow and they help him to grow. In his mind, that is a major success. Another pastor said: "I know my limitations, and I discover people who are much better at handling situations and people than I can. And on the parish level that's a kind of ministry."

One participant said his parish has a vibrant liturgical and sacramental life, which is a key element of formation for the people. To ensure that all liturgical ministries are well-organized and have full participation, the parish helps parishioners develop ministerial leadershipÑas ministers in catechetics, in liturgy, and in service programs. The parish also has an extensive youth program, beyond that of catechetics, which tries to tie in the life of the younger parishioners to the parish and to the values of the Church.

Take some time to answer the following questions. The responses will help you complete the planning segment in Chapter 6.