“I’m reviewing the situation…”  Words of a song from Oliver sung by Fagin, a career petty thief.  Well, perhaps the career piece is stretching things too far, but…in the next two weeks there will be a Dominican friar from Chicago who comes to ‘review our situation’ here.  That friar is Brother Edward van Merrienboer, our Vicar Provincial (#2).

It is a normal policy of the St. Albert Province Dominicans to review the parish during the pastor’s fifth year.  It is a way of analyzing what is working, what could improve, and how well is the fit of the brothers in ministry with the parish needs.  Many of you experience an annual review (for good or ill); this is a lot like that.

The Dominicans were offered the opportunity to serve at this great Catholic Center by the Archbishop in 2005.  He also wants to assess how the ministry and life of the parish is going after five years.  So the Archdiocese will also be appraised of what is learned here.  The evaluation will take place over several days: Nov 18-21.  Brother Edward is scheduled to meet with various committees (i.e., Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Parish Staff), with heads of the ministries, and provide an open session after the 10:30 am Mass for input.  Brother Ed will also be available after other Sunday Masses.

During the early part of this decade St. Albert Province desired to make a commitment to serve at university parishes.  We find the combination of campus ministry with a full-fledged parish to be exciting and challenging.  Our love of study and preaching seem to fit the talents and challenges of a university parish.  The Province also was convinced that a viable Dominican community is essential to the ministry.  Thus, we have sent at least three Dominicans to any of these parishes.  Here at St. Paul, Brother Benedict came early in our settling here.  But in only a week will he depart for Chicago to attend to long-term health issues.  Who of us will ever forget his hospitality and home cooking?  We wish Brother Benedict well, along with Angus!  

There is a treasured legacy of dynamism at the St. Paul Catholic Center that has been forged over its forty-one year history.  Good liturgy—including awesome music—, social service outreach, and vibrant campus ministry have been capital marks of this community.  In more recent times, pastoral outreach to shut-ins and the hospital, youth ministry, student leadership development, resident parishioner retreats and study, and a deeper identity mark on campus have become landmarks of St. Paul.  Quite literally, we are busting at the seams with meetings.  More members are engaging in the parish ministry (with plenty more room for more).  We are reaching out for financial support for all of this ministry, and yet we need to look at ourselves as well to see how well each household offers something toward the common support of the parish.

This parish has also had a legacy of great staff members.  It is true today.  Volunteers are a goal for full participation, but I have found that competent staff helps to coordinate and/or generate energy to make activities thrive.  What difference could a second campus minister, a full-time-equivalent youth/confirmation minister position, some administrative assistance, or presence of a religious sister on staff make as St. Paul?  Something for us to evaluate.  There may be other kinds of dreams for us to fulfill the mission of this Center.  These kinds of things might be named in the evaluation.  

So, it is a good time to “review[ing] the situation…”