Courtney Deinert is the communications director for Sacred Heart Pastorate.
My journey into parish life took a turn in 2020 after a beloved priest at our parish was reassigned.
My husband and I had grown close to Father John Short during his time as pastor at Holy Spirit in Mitchell. He had confirmed my husband, baptized our first born and been instrumental in helping us feel at home in our new parish. Father Short is also a farm kid, just like my husband and me, so we could easily relate.
When we received the news that not only was Father Short being reassigned but the two parishes in Mitchell would also now be sharing a pastor, I felt as if a foundational element of our faith was being taken. Would Holy Spirit still feel like home? Could we possibly establish a relationship with a pastor who now has double the responsibility?
As I sat with my frustration, I looked for a solution to this problem that seemed to be permeating across our diocese—a shortage of vocations to the priesthood, which was leaving parishioners lost and underserved.
While I tried to direct my frustration at the diocese, I realized this was not an issue they could easily fix, nor was it their fault. My frustration turned to conviction as I realized the solution lived in my very own home—the domestic Church. Vocations begin with family life.
Shortly after, the position of director of youth ministry for grades 7-12 in Mitchell came open, and, after much prayer, I applied for and accepted that position with the determination to make a difference. Despite whatever conviction I had, one new parish staff member was not going to turn the tide, although I sure tried. (And after a couple years, I realized I wasn’t cut out for youth ministry and moved into my current role as communications director. Please thank your youth directors!)
When I joined the parish staff, I had identified part of the problem and was ready to be part of a solution, but I didn’t have the tools yet. Set Ablaze provided those.
Successes with Set Ablaze
I have had the opportunity to serve on our Pastoral Planning Council, which developed our Set Ablaze plan, and now serve on the Pastorate Leadership Team. Definite fruits have come out of the implementation of our Set Ablaze plan, including expanding eucharistic adoration; pastorate-wide ministries collaborating as growth from parish-only ministries; the transition to Catholic classical curriculum at St. John Paul II Elementary School; embracing the liturgical celebrations of the Catholic faith, such as hosting a Corpus Christi procession, Sacred Heart of Jesus Consecration and Candlemas blessing; increased liturgical Mass volunteers; and overall increased Mass attendance.
While it can be tempting to pat ourselves on the back for checked boxes and increased numbers, the true measure of fruitfulness is defined by whether we are forming disciples.
The primary focus of our plan has been establishing a culture of prayer and encouraging staff members, volunteers and parishioners to start asking one question: “How can I pray for you today?” This has been transformative in creating a welcoming culture in our parishes and building our Church community. I encourage you to give it a try.
Foundation amidst transition
Across the diocese, we recently received news of clergy reassignments this past May. Many of you may be working through similar emotions that I felt five years ago: abandonment, uncertainty and frustration. I’ll admit that I’m experiencing some grief myself as our pastor, Father Cesar Valencia, PES, will be reassigned as pastor to our neighbors in Our Lady of Victory Pastorate of Hartford and Sioux Falls.
However, I feel much more confident now than I did five years ago.
Because of the structure of Set Ablaze, we have a leadership team to support Father Yamato Icochea, PES as he assumes leadership over Sacred Heart Pastorate. We have our strategic goals as outlined in our pastoral plan, so even under new leadership, we will keep working towards the same objectives with the same mission. As part of the initial plan, we also made the difficult decision to eliminate a Mass time, so the Mass schedule would be sustainable going forward.
Set Ablaze has provided the foundation and way forward that I was seeking five years ago, so that when pastors, clergy, staff or key volunteers move on, we don’t face the same uncertainty.
Courtney Deinert is the communications director for Sacred Heart Pastorate. She is a parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish of Mitchell along with her husband, Jarod, and four children.
