Changing in fidelity” “” “

What parish model for the future? Some new experiences in various European countries were showcased during the European parish colloquium (EPC) held in Fribourg (Switzerland) from 6 to 10 July, with the participation of 250 delegates from all over Europe (cf. SirEurope 51/2003). We present some of these experiences below. “Faire église autrement”, or “running the Church in another way”, is the motto adopted by the diocese of Besançon, in France, for its pastoral reorganization implemented in 1997, after a long process of preparation that began in the early 19990s. “ Faire èglise autrement“, explained the representative of the diocese, “means enabling the Christian communities that are too inward-looking to be more vital and dynamic”. The diocese of Besançon, with a population of 535,000 inhabitants, was formerly subdivided into 10 pastoral zones, 36 deaneries and 771 parishes that varied in size from 20,000 to 15 faithful, with largely elderly priests (the average age was 69). We thus realised the need to reunite the parishes, especially to perform the “good neighbour” services, visits to the sick, care for those who have dropped out of the Church, and so on. The reorganization led to the creation of 66 “pastoral units” that replaced the 771 former parishes, and the setting up of pastoral coordination teams each formed of 7/8 persons and animated by a priest-coordinator. Each pastoral unit was given its own pastoral council, and an economic council for the management in common of the properties and finances of the parishes was established. What were the reactions of Christians? “The more dedicated members of the community, and those more conscious of the challenges that the Church faces in the years ahead, are happy about the changes and participate in them…On the other hand, ‘consumer’ Christians complain because they no longer have at their disposal ‘the services’ to which they had been accustomed…” “Feast of the Eucharist”: that’s the name given to the process of catechesis that leads to First Communion in the parishes of Christ the King, St. Mark and St. Martin in Switzerland. It’s a biennial course involving the families of the children who are preparing to receive the sacraments, with a signed pledge, at the beginning of the catechetical process, in the form of a “Charter”. The project arose from the realisation that the traditional rite of first communion “exaggeratedly” put the emphasis on the “first time” and only on the child; that parents did not play a central role in accompanying their children; and that the ordinary faithful deserted first communion masses because they tended to be monopolised by family members and relatives. Hence the undertaking – to be signed in the Charter – to undergo a preparatory process that would involve catechists, families and the entire parish community and lead to the concluding mass transformed into a genuine “feast of the Eucharist”. The new catechetical courses have been welcomed by parishes, with the exception of some diehards unwilling to renounce the usual First Communion trappings of photos, fancy dress, pomp and circumstance, etc. The village church and the Sikh temple. The “Masala” association (its name derives from a kind of spice used in India) helps to look after Indian Sikhs and refugees. Founded at Gastvrij in Belgium in 1994, it is composed of some fifteen Christian and non-Christian volunteers who give hospitality and advice to hundreds of political asylum seekers. “We began with the Sikhs who were arriving in large numbers from the Punjab as seasonal workers for the fruit-picking (cherries, strawberries, pears and apples) – explains Father Luk Lammens –. They had built a Sikh temple within the territory of a small parish. Instead of adopting a defensive posture, the communities chose the road of welcome, by creating the “Masala” centre that opens its doors to hundreds of immigrants from 13 different nationalities each year. It offers, among other things, support in the bureaucratic hassles necessary for regularization and reunification with family members, psychological and medical assistance, help in finding accommodation, etc. The association also organises languages courses, women’s do-it-yourself groups, festivities and other events. Volunteers visit people’s homes and schools to contact refugees. “The experience –says Father Lammens – has changed the climate of our parishes a great deal”.