Pastors, representatives from the Jesuits and the Dominicans and lay representatives of the six parishes in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood have begun meeting to determine how the church can best serve the neighborhood in the future. “The church in Pilsen is not the same as it was 15 or 20 years ago,” said Auxiliary Bishop Alberto Rojas, whose Vicariate III takes in Pilsen. “We are committed to serving the Catholic population in Pilsen. Through these planning efforts we will determine how to use our resources and personnel in a more effective and pastoral way to address the opportunities and challenges of evangelization in a changing neighborhood.” According to a letter from Bishop Rojas distributed in the six parish bulletins the weekend of Aug. 29-30, there are 8,000 fewer people living in Pilsen than there were in 2000, and 2,000 fewer people attending Mass in the neighborhood over the past 10 years. At the same time, some of the churches in Pilsen need significant repairs, and there isn’t enough money to do everything, the bishop’s letter said. “Throughout the fall, the Pilsen Planning Committee will outline a vision for what it means to be a vibrant Catholic presence in Pilsen into the future and provide feedback to the archdiocese on potential options for how to sustain and grow a vibrant Catholic presence in Pilsen with fewer parishes. It is important for all six parishes to be involved in this process because we are all a part of the church in Pilsen and we need everyone’s input and guidance as we shape the future of our church,” he wrote. The committee includes the pastors of St. Paul, St. Ann, St. Adalbert, St. Pius V, St. Procopius and Providence of God parishes, three lay representatives from each parish and representatives from the Dominican and Jesuit provinces, as the Dominicans and Jesuits staff St. Pius V and St. Procopius respectively. The planning process is designed to allow the archdiocese and the people in the parishes to figure out the best way forward, according to Tim Weiske, director of the archdiocese’s director of strategic planning and implementation. Father Donald Nevins, pastor of St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish, 2651 S. Central Park Ave., has spent most of his priesthood serving the Latino community and said the need to adapt to meet changing needs is nothing new. “When I was ordained a priest 40 years ago, there were 12 parishes in Pilsen,” he said. “Now there are six.” The difference, he said, is that the archdiocese is trying to make decisions proactively. “We know in the future we can’t staff six parishes in Pilsen,” he said. “The question is how we can best minister to the Catholics in Pilsen. This is really meant to be a long-term plan. In the past, we have been much more reactive.” Nevins said fewer new immigrants from Mexico are moving in with their families, while more young professionals of all ethnicities are moving in. “The university (University of Illinois at Chicago) is really pushing south as well,” he said. The committee will continue to work throughout the Fall, with some direction plan expected in the first half of next year. Pilsen planning These six parishes are involved in planning for the future of ministry in Pilsen: