From Bill Lentsch, Chief Operating Officer
Since the summer of 2020, the central offices of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis – known as the Archdiocesan Catholic Center (ACC) – has been working to better serve the clergy, parishes, Catholic schools and Catholic entities in the 12 counties that comprise this local Church. That work started with an Organizational Health Index survey; subsequent data review and steering committee work by employees and clergy serving at parishes, schools and the ACC; and then ongoing work to serve our parish and school partners more effectively and efficiently. It has been an honor to lead that work since my arrival in October 2021.
One of the most significant steps occurred in September 2022 with the implementation of our Mission Support Concierge, who assists our parish and school partners exclusively, followed by the launch of a dedicated Mission Support website in February 2023. The Mission Support platform has been very well received and will become the foundation of our enhanced customer service delivery model going forward.
In that past year, we have also focused on refining the Archdiocesan mission statement and clarified the ACC’s purpose. Our collaborative work has led to further work on the foundation of elevating our level of customer service.
In short, that work has let to these changes:
- Three of our primary parish facing resources – Office for the Protection of Children and Youth liaisons, Parish Services Coordinators, and Mission Support Concierge – will be combined into a new group named Mission Support. This will facilitate greater service coordination and clarity of contact for those we serve in our parishes. The Mission Support group will be led by Mo Bartz, who will report directly to me.
- The Office of Clergy Services will be a stand-alone entity, led by Father Michael Tix, Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese. This office will focus solely on the well-being of our clergy, from their formation to the end of their earthly lives.
It is my hope that these changes in service will better meet the needs of the hardworking clergy and staff directly ministering to the lay faithful of this Archdiocese.
One additional organizational change: The Office of Marriage, Family and Life is now called the Office of Marriage, Family and Youth. The name change was driven by feedback received through the Synod process and outlined in Archbishop Hebda’s Pastoral Letter, both of which identified a need for greater focus on our youth. The office will remain committed to protecting life and the dignity of the human person under this new name. Additionally, this group now reports through Bishop Williams to better align with the Synod implementation work he is leading.
Please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving for the many collaborators who have helped us with this work and who are committed to assisting us as we move forward.
