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Introducing Beacons of Light

The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has launched Beacons of Light, a comprehensive process of pastoral planning, to study every aspect of the archdiocese and parishes to determine how to best array our resources – human, physical and financial – to spread the Gospel far and wide.

Everyone wants to belong to a vibrant parish.

Full, joyful and centered on the Eucharist.

Nurturing an ever-closer relationship with Jesus.

Spreading the love of Jesus through charitable outreach.

Unfortunately, not all of our parishes meet this description.

33%

Religious practice is declining nationwide.

The average Sunday Mass in our archdiocese is only one-third full.

2.72

Fewer Catholics are involved in parish life.

The number of registered Catholic households in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has declined at a rate of 2.72 per day for the past decade.

20%

Our priests are stretched to the limit.

The number of available priests will decrease by approximately 20% by 2026.

As a result, most of our church buildings are grossly underutilized, our resources are spread too thin, and many of our parishes are not the vibrant communities of faith Catholics need them to be.

Beacons of Light is a multi-year process of pastoral planning for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Groupings of parishes will come together as one faith community. These new “Families of Parishes” will be stronger, with the resources to focus more on mission than on maintenance. Pastors and parish leaders will then plan for the future of their Family of Parishes.

JUST IMAGINE …

People united on a journey of missionary discipleship. Full churches. Joyous liturgies.
Priests who have the time to be present and attend to the needs of their people.

Parishes that are alive in faith, filled with vitality, ready to form people to radiate Christ.

Timeline

Fall 2020
Beacons of Light project launch announced. Data gathering from parishes and schools begins.
Winter 2020/21
Six principles of Beacons of Light are established. Design of parish planning process (including vision points and parameters) begins.
Spring 2021
Parish and school data is analyzed. Current reality is assessed.
Summer 2021
Families of Parishes modeling begins. Draft of parish planning process is completed.
Fall 2021
Draft models of Families of Parishes are published for comment. Parish planning process (including vision points and parameters) is finalized.
Winter 2021/22
Families of Parishes are finalized and announced.
Spring 2022
Pastors and parish leaders begin preparing for the parish planning process.
Summer 2022
Families of Parishes implementation begins. Each Family starts its parish planning process.
Pastoral Planning Pathway
Each Family of Parishes will begin following the Pastoral Planning Pathway. Click here to learn more.
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What’s next?­­

Learn about Beacons of Light

View The Timeline

Meet The Leaders

Get Resources

Find Your Parish

Read the Newsletter

The parish is a beacon that radiates the light of the faith and thus responds to the deepest and truest desires of the human heart, giving meaning and hope to the lives of individuals and families.

— POPE BENEDICT XVI, DECEMBER 10, 2006
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Love In Action

Families of Parishes will be communities of charity and justice, serving those most in need and working to change systems that oppress and marginalize.

Evangelization

As centers of missionary outreach, Families of Parishes find new ways to foster discipleship among all the baptized. Schools, parishes, and indeed Church itself are centers of this essential work.

Stewardship

Families of Parishes are communities of grateful disciples. Recognizing God’s gifts, they use their talents, skills and resources to build up the Church and live as Christ’s body in the world.

Leadership

Pastors, in collaboration with parochial vicars, deacons and lay ministers, according to their proper roles and charisms, share responsibility for pastoral leadership. The spiritual, physical and mental health and ongoing support of ordained and lay leaders is vital for Families of Parishes.

Church

Each of us is called to actively participate as a member of a parish, the Universal Church and our local Church, led by our archbishop. Parishes continually deepen the bonds of communion with other parishes.

Eucharist
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. Accordingly, the Mass is the essential moment for building up and strengthening the parish community, along with the sacraments and other celebrations of the paschal mystery – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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