Feasibility study next step of process as Le Mars parishes look toward future

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
December 16, 2004

LE MARS - For several years the pastors and parishioners of the six Le Mars area parishes have taken a pro-active response in studying and working out a plan to meet the spiritual needs of its faith community.

This process initially began back in the late 1990s when the Diocese of Sioux City formed clusters of all parishes throughout the 24-counties of Northwest Iowa. This was done in part due to the declining number of priests ministering in parishes.

As collaboration increased among the Le Mars area parishes and with expectations that the number of priests ministering there would decrease in the future, pastors and members of the cluster councils from the Le Mars area parishes in the last two to three years began to take an even harder and realistic look at their options. One idea that was tossed out fairly early in the discussion was the prospect of consolidating into one central church. Lisa Niebuhr, a consultant for the Le Mars Area Cluster, pointed out that last April they did some brainstorming to determine their goal - what they hoped to achieve.

During a meeting on Sept. 26, she explained that they took those thoughts from the April meeting and put together a long-range strategic plan.

"When we sat down and discussed it, we were very sensitive to the needs of the people. We did not want to give the perception that five facilities closed and one remained open," noted Niebuhr. "We came to an agreement - based on individual and group-related conversations - that we were going to be true to each other and if we really wanted to make faith our most prized possession then we would close all six parishes and we would open one new facility within 24 hours."

Father Jim Tigges, chair of the cluster pastoral council, pointed out that this concept ties in well with what the diocese had set up with its concept of clustering and collaboration.

He said that the one-parish proposal appears to be the most logical option.

The six parishes of the cluster include: St. Joseph and St. James, both in Le Mars; St. Joseph of Neptune, St. Joseph of Ellendale, St. Joseph of Struble and Our Lady of the Assumption in Merrill.

There are five components to the cluster's long-range strategic plan: 1) to develop and implement a comprehensive plan that ensures the future of one Catholic church, 2) to development and implement a successful, open and transparent conversation that ensures the future of one church, 3) to create a greater faith-filled spirit throughout the cluster, 4) to enhance the strength of the Catholic community throughout the cluster, 5) to ensure the facility of the cluster meets the needs of the parishioners.

On Nov. 7, the draft of the plan that was formed by the cluster council -made up of representatives from all six parishes - was presented to parishioners. Niebuhr said they also asked parishioners to fill out a survey. They wanted to know how often the parishioners wanted to hear from the cluster, what the churchgoers perceive to be the cluster's strengths and how the cluster could be enhanced.

"We received some tremendous feedback. The people were very pleased with the work that had been done, but there were a variety of concerns as to where this new facility will be located," she said.

The four pastors examined the site options.

"The four priests that are here right now are in agreement and consensus that the new church should be in proximity to Gehlen Catholic School simply because the kids use it for Masses, plus our religious education students also use it almost on a weekly basis," noted Father Tigges.

In early December, the priests proposed the land that is currently used by Gehlen as a practice football field. The priest said they are open to other possibilities.

Since they have already presented a proposal and parishioners are now offering feedback, it allows for a more specific direction in the feasibility study.

"The study should reveal the amount of support for one church and provide some sort of a realistic number that would allow us to start planning," said Father Tigges. People will be asked if they plan to attend the new church or go to an outlying parish. This response will help determine the size of the church. Presently they are looking at a church that seats 1,000 people. Right now the largest church in the cluster seats 500 to 600.

If the one-church proposal is a go, they hope to open the church by 2009, however, Niebuhr pointed out that the actual time-line has not been determined and will be based on the outcome of the study. After the feasibility study, the next big phase would be a capital campaign that could begin as early as the fall of 2005.

In the meantime, Niebuhr wanted to put a call out to parishioners who would want to self-nominate or nominate another individual to serve on one of seven committees. For instance, a historical committee will look at ways to incorporate some of the present parish treasures into a new church. Another group will work on a potential name.

"We need people from every parish," she stressed. "We have a need for approximately 100 individuals and this number will grow when we start working on a capital campaign."

Father Tigges urges people to get involved because this will be their church. He also encouraged them to share their thoughts with the pastors and the cluster council members.

Meetings will be held at least every three months to keep parishioners informed.

"I think the parishioners are open to this and they are ready to see some movement - with that movement they want a say," said Father Tigges. "By giving them the information and inviting them to serve on the various committees, they will have a say if they want to be involved."

Through the process, he said they must keep an open mind, open heart and invite the spirit to be present in their deliberations at every stage that will move into a new and possibly greater spiritual formation center for the Catholics of the Le Mars area.