By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The future of parish life, catholic education and conducting business within the Buffalo Catholic Diocese has been mapped out in a finalized strategic plan.
The Diocese says this is a major step in the "Journey in Faith and Grace" program launched two years ago by Bishop Edward Kmiec. You may recall that a Strategic Planning Commission was formed to strengthen the faith of a shirking Catholic population in Western New York.
But this effort has also been part of the on-going, and some-what controversial decision to merge and close some churches and schools.
However, commission member Bob Bennett says their work is not just about the closings. Seven areas have been revamped in this strategic plan, a 26-page document. Among those are parish life, faith formation and finance and administration for parishes.
The strategic plan also calls to strengthen catholic education, by restructuring the elementary schools, improve enrollment, academics, the facilities and technology.
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