By Mary Grieco
Catholic Herald correspondent

Pastor, parish director work as a team

This is the fifth of a six-part series based on A New Springtime, a pastoral letter by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss.

Part V: "... planning efforts undertaken by the Diocese of Superior ... should: Respect the gifts that the laity of the diocese bring to the community of faith."

LAND O'LAKES -- Among the guiding principles presented in "A New Springtime," the pastoral letter recently published by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss, is the need to "respect the gifts that the laity of the diocese bring to the community of faith."

While the involvement of parish members is key to the vitality of all parishes, putting this principle into action becomes even more urgent if a resident priest is not available.

When Fr. Robert Koszarek found out that he was to be responsible for St. Mary Parish in Phelps and St. Albert in Land O' Lakes in addition to St. Peter the Fisherman in Eagle River, he knew he could not meet the challenges alone. That cluster was formed about 3 1/2 years ago.

"Hiring a parish director was necessary," Koszarek said. "I wasn't comfortable at all thinking that I could assume leadership of all three parishes. When the 2000 Plan came around, one of the things that was suggested by the office of planning was that a parish director be appointed."

The person selected to fill that role in June 1998 was Pat Pintens, who has an extensive background in parish ministry as well as master's degrees in both theology and Christian spirituality. Because of her willingness to assume the leadership of St. Mary and St. Albert, both parishes not only have survived but are thriving and optimistically looking to the future.

From the beginning, Koszarek as supervising pastor has stressed to parishioners that their parish director is in charge. "Pat needs to be seen as the pastoring person, the shepherd, the leader, the key decision-maker in these parishes," he said. "My purpose isn't micro-managing.

"In the beginning people would ask, 'What does Fr. Bob think?' But I kept saying it is something to work out through Pat," Koszarek added.

"Some people questioned and struggled with it," Pintens said, "but I think there is pretty good acceptance. I think the majority are comfortable; things have stabilized.

"We have not tried in any way to negate Fr. Bob's input," she emphasized. "We just want to help people understand that there are some things they can decide as a parish."

St. Albert parishioners Ken and Jan Heiser, who have attended both churches over the years, said they are very happy with their parish director. "Pat is doing a wonderful job," Jan said. "As far as we're concerned, there is no difference from before."

Allowing the laity to develop and use their gifts is crucial to the future of the church, according to the pastoral letter. The Bishop wrote:

"For the Diocese of Superior to fully proclaim the Good News in word and action, the lay faithful of the local church must be empowered and entrusted to fulfill their unique roles of service, a service which complements rather than competes with priestly ministry ..."

"Perhaps part of feeling empowered, which Pat is, could come from giving good leadership," Koszarek said. "It then begins to be affirmed both from below and above. I hear a lot of people say she is doing a good job and, as supervising pastor, I don't have to run to the rescue.

"People are very comfortable with her leadership," Koszarek noted. "She is a very engaging person, is very willing to work with people, and takes them where they are at. She has a lot of energy, which is needed in a job like this, and she is very flexible."She also has a wonderful theological background," Koszarek added. "For myself coming in as the sacramental minister, I appreciate her sense of liturgy. We work well together."

Pintens also appreciates the gifts of her supervising pastor. "I am grateful for his flexibility, his sense of humor, and also the way he makes people feel at home and comfortable. And he is able to stay calm."

While Pintens may not perform sacramental duties, that is perhaps the only definite limitation to her leadership role, according to Koszarek. She presides at liturgies of the Word with Communion, as do other trained lay presiders, and conducts wake and burial services. She is readily available to the people of her parishes, and it not unusual for someone to call her at any hour if there is a serious illness, death or other crisis.

Whenever possible, Koszarek and Pintens try to coordinate liturgies for all three parishes so there is a central theme, thus making it possible for Koszarek to prepare only one homily each weekend.

Although each parish has a separate pastoral council, the parishioners work together on various activities and programs. The driving distances, however, make it impractical to combine all programs. Both Koszarek and Pintens spend a lot of time on the winding roads between the rural parishes and, because of tight scheduling, they cannot spend as much time with parishioners after weekend liturgies as they would like.

Determining times for Masses and Communion services to meet the needs of all parishes is an ongoing struggle, particularly for Christmas and Easter and during the summer months when tourism more than doubles attendance.

The demands on a parish director are many and varied. But Pintens' enthusiasm for her work is obvious, and she continues to invite and encourage more parishioners to become involved.

There are, of course, struggles and questions not easily answered. "Many times I know I need to talk to God to get to the bottom of things," she explained. "This has helped me to see the Gospels in a new way. I ask myself how I can respond and be more like Jesus. No matter what is going on, I have to choose the Gospel response.

"You have to expect sometimes to be misunderstood, to not be who people want," she added. "But Scriptures are about change, and what happens to me is not something new. I think there are many people who are open and excited to see lay people in leadership positions. And I have to be open and listen and learn with the people.

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002