The diocesan strategic plan has entered a new phase, with some initiatives bearing fruit today and others taking shape on the horizon.
In September 2021, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge announced the diocese’s first strategic plan with six pillars and 30 goals. These goals were enthusiastically received by the clergy and lay faithful as inspiring and relevant to the Diocese of Arlington today. While broad, the goals needed particulars; therefore, in November 2023, Bishop Burbidge released 23 strategic initiatives. The initiatives are specific, achievable efforts that align with at least one of the diocesan strategic plan’s six strategic pillars of evangelization, discipleship, Catholic education, family and parish life, one communion of many cultures, and charitable works.
From its inception, Bishop Burbidge envisioned the diocesan strategic plan as a joint effort of the clergy and the lay faithful, at the parochial and diocesan levels.
Bishop Burbidge emphasized the purpose of the strategic plan and these initiatives, saying “This strategic plan is my vision for the diocese during my episcopate. It should not be a ‘binder on a shelf,’ but a guide that is actively used across the diocese.”
Since the release of the strategic initiatives, clergy and lay faithful have agreed to lead the projects. They are organizing the initiative, collecting resources, and developing action plans, and executing it.
As someone who helped develop the strategic plan, it is wonderful to see it embraced at the parish level. The parishes have been engaged in ministries, and some are starting ministries to support the strategic plan.
Several pastors have reviewed and incorporated evangelization programs in their parish ministries such as “Evangelical Catholic,” “Disciples in Mission,” and “ALPHA.” Special Religious Development, or SPRED, has grown this year, allowing more students with disabilities to participate in religious education. One parish initiated a “Witness to Love” program for marriage preparation, which leverages couples to mentor other couples.
At the diocesan level, ministerial offices such as the Office of Catholic Schools, the Office of Hispanic Ministry, the Office of Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries, and the Office of Family Life are advancing several initiatives. These offices are developing resources to increase counselors for those with learning and mental disabilities, evangelize the growing Hispanic community, create a new model for youth ministry, and develop partnerships of Catholic-based palliative care.
An initiative receiving much enthusiasm is a feasibility study to create a diocesan vocational/technical school. Over the last several months, the Office of Catholic Schools has interviewed some of the Catholic vocational programs that are growing across the country. In October, diocesan staff met with the leaders of a nationally recognized post-secondary program that teaches a trade while exposing students to a “great books” curriculum. Last month, the diocese partnered with a national consulting firm to launch a feasibility study to quantify the most-needed trades in our area over the next 10 years as well as survey parents and students on their interest in a vocational program. Parents and students who are interested in participating in that survey can email [email protected].
As the diocese celebrates its Golden Jubilee, it enters into its 51st year with great promise. Through these 23 initiatives, we hope as our vision statement says, to “glorify God by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ through reverent worship, loving evangelization and committed charity to all.”
Jones is diocesan chief operating officer.
Find out more
Read the six pillars and 23 initiatives of the diocesan strategic plan at arlingtondiocese.org/about/strategic-plan.
