“I am grateful for the overwhelming response from our pastors, parish life coordinators and parish lay representatives. We have almost 98 percent parish participation throughout the diocese and hope to make that 100 percent participation,” Mulford said.

Each parish is represented by two lay persons, plus the pastor or parish life coordinator. These, in addition to several observers, add up to nearly 350 people who are involved.

Mulford said the diocese is divided into 12 sections, with most sections meeting individually. On April 28, sections 11 and 12 met together at Christ the King in Springfield, for the start of their meetings, then split into their respective sections to go over their own preliminary draft.

“Once the fear of parish planning is calmed regarding the future of parishes, there is a willingness for parishes to collaborate with one another. The regional planning committees are beginning to understand the importance of lay leadership to keep their parishes viable,” Mulford said.