The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis plans to evaluate how well the Archdiocesan Catholic Center is supporting the work of the local Church, and an international management consulting firm is helping Church leaders do it. Archbishop Bernard Hebda announced the plan June 23.
In an email to staff, clergy and Catholic institution leaders, Archbishop Hebda said the project is one he’s been considering for years, and that he expects it to complement the work of the Archdiocesan Synod that began last year. The process will begin with an archdiocesan-wide survey.
“I want to evaluate how well the Archdiocesan Catholic Center is functioning and supporting the good work done across our Catholic community — as well as how well prepared we are to deliver and move forward on whatever priorities come from the synod,” he said. “To be successful, we must extend this ‘intentional listening’ to those who work for the archdiocese, leaders in our parishes and schools, and others that work closely with our local Church.”
Archbishop Hebda said an international management consulting firm is assisting the archdiocese with the evaluation at no cost. Doug Milroy, a community volunteer and former chairman and CEO of G&K Services Inc., is also leading an internal project team in the process.
The Archdiocesan Catholic Center includes 29 offices ranging from the offices of the archbishop and bishop, to the metropolitan tribunal, which oversees marriage annulments, as well as offices for vocations, safe environment, Latino ministry and evangelization. The Catholic Spirit is part of its Office of Communications.
The project’s initial 20-to-30-minute survey, called the “Organizational Health Index,” will be sent this month to gather perspective about the archdiocese’s operations from leaders and staff of schools, parishes and other Catholic entities.
“I am confident that this experience will help us better discern how the Holy Spirit is speaking to us through the candid feedback that is offered, and how we are being called to respond to what that Spirit is calling us to do,” Archbishop Hebda said.
