By David Karas | Correspondent

From overseeing finances to handling human resources, supervising staff and managing future growth, there are a lot of responsibilities bestowed upon those who will serve at the helm of parishes in the Diocese as of July 1.

Recognizing this, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., continued an annual tradition this year by hosting a special orientation for diocesan priests who have been named pastors or parish administrators for the first time. The two-day program held May 28 and 29 in the Crowne Plaza Princeton hotel featured diocesan leaders, both clergy and laity, who provided a wealth of information to benefit the new parish leaders in the months and years to come.

Anthony J. Mingarino, diocesan chancellor and chief administrative officer, pointed to the value of the orientation for the men, most of whom had previously served as parochial vicars in parish settings. He explained that, while the new pastors and administrators are well-versed in meeting the spiritual needs of a parish community, parish leadership requires a dual focus on business and management, as well.

“These new pastors are fully formed on dealing with the spiritual and pastoral needs of a parish; however, there is less preparation for the business side,” he said. “The workshop which the Diocese offers is intended to highlight certain aspects of being a pastor which may not be evident to them.”

 Mingarino was joined in his presentation to the soon-to-be pastors and administrators by Joseph Bianchi, diocesan director of administrative services and human resources, as well as the Office of Child Protection.  The two discussed a wide range of topics, many of which were assembled into a manual that offering guidance and stipulating expectations. Among the topics covered were  means for mitigating risk and handling harassment issues and other human resources complaints.

“Mr. Bianchi and I point out the reality that they are also the chief operating officer of a small and sometimes not so small business. Our parishes have from two to 250 employees with a significant amount of money flowing through on a weekly basis,” Mingarino said.

The orientation also featured discussions led by Bishop O’Connell and veteran diocesan pastors, as well as sessions facilitated by Msgr. Thomas J. Mullelly, diocesan vicar for clergy and consecrated life.

The new pastors celebrated Mass and shared meals together, in addition to completing necessary paperwork and signing official documents as they assume their new assignments.

Terry A. Ginther, executive director of the diocesan Office of Pastoral Life and Mission, shared with the participants insights related to the dynamics of transition and change within a parish community – dynamics that can come to light during a change in parish leadership.

“Your role as a pastor or administrator, in very simple terms, is to lead people to Jesus and lead them in mission,” she said.

Ginther also spoke about pastoral planning and the value of a well-formed pastoral council, a consultative body whose expertise relates to knowing and understanding the particular parish, and providing assistance to a pastor.

“As the pastor leads the people to Jesus and leads the parish in mission,” she said, “one of his most valuable tools is a well-formed pastoral council.” 

Both Ginther and Mingarino also stressed the availability, and willingness, of diocesan staff to provide assistance and support to the pastors and administrators.

“We provide them with a direct pipeline to well qualified staff at the Chancery who have considerable experience in the business and church worlds,” said Mingarino.