Bishop Barber Announces Mission Alignment Process (MAP)

 
The Joy of the Gospel
In 2013, the same year that I became bishop of Oakland, Pope Francis released his first apostolic exhortation, “The Joy of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium). In this document, referred to as the magna carta of his pontificate, Pope Francis invites the Church to joyfully enter the new chapter of evangelization and he offers us the roadmap to the Church’s pastoral mission in our time. The Holy Father writes:

“I dream of a ‘missionary option,’ that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” (No. 27).
Over the years, this quote has tugged at my heart. The Holy Father is simply teaching that mission comes first!

What is the mission Jesus entrusts to us? It is simple: “Make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

Thus, the Holy Father invites us to look critically at everything we do as a Church: our ways of doing things, our structures, our resources, our parishes and ministries, and yes, even our finances. And in looking at them, we must consider – is it all truly oriented to “making disciples” or just simply “self-preservation”?

We are rich with amazing missionary disciples!
In these past eight years as your bishop, I am happy to say the Diocese of Oakland is rich with many faith-filled missionary disciples. I have celebrated vibrant Sunday liturgies in your parishes, witnessing the deep faith of our people. I have seen the smiling faces and heard the stories of those who joyfully carry out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. I have been inspired by teachers, catechists and evangelists who reveal the mercy of Jesus to so many.

Jesus truly is raising up excellent missionary disciples in our diocese! They are everywhere: from Oakland to Fremont, from Brentwood to Richmond, from Livermore to Martinez, and everywhere in between. God has blessed us with amazing people. These disciples are our greatest blessing and treasure! And it is my joyful duty and privilege as your Bishop to fully profess my support and love for them − for you − our missionary disciples who spread the joy of the Gospel.

Mission Alignment Process (MAP)
Missionaries fundamentally are sent. As your bishop, my responsibility is to provide you with guidance on your missionary work. My top priority is this: I want to lift up our missionary disciples (all of you) and I want to orient everything in our diocese to help you to bear more fruit!

As a diocese, we are going to get moving on what I am calling the Mission Alignment Process, or MAP. Following Pope Francis’ call, we are channeling our temporal resources for mission, so we may bear fruit in every corner of the diocese.

Mission Alignment Process Commission
Of course, I cannot get this movement started alone! I need committed missionary disciples to be my leadership team on this. I have officially commissioned a few great disciples to lead the way: The Mission Alignment Process, or MAP, Commission.

The MAP Commission, made up of priests and laity, men and women, from diverse generations, locations and cultures, will analyze the reality of our diocese. Through professional analysis and dialogue with our pastors and parish leaders, the commission will provide to me a report in one year that recommends the appropriate alignment of our resources to support our raising missionary disciples.

The MAP Commission members will be starting their work April 16. I ask you to pray for them, support them, and above all cooperate with them.

Here are the members of the Commission:

Father Lawrence D'Anjou, vicar general (co-chair)
Rick Medeiros, director, Order of Malta Oakland Diocese; St. Isidore Parish in Danville (co-chair)
Father Brandon Macadaeg, rector, Cathedral of Christ the Light; Amazing Parish Initiative
Mary Fair, Diocesan Planning Board; Catholic Charities East Bay; St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Livermore
Father Anthony Huong Le, pastor, St. Joseph Parish in Fremont; Amazing Parish Initiative
Jocelyn Pierre-Antoine, Diocesan Catholic Schools representative
Father Jimmy Macalinao, diocesan director of Faith Formation & Evangelization
Amanda Wehrman, parish council chair, Newman Hall, Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley
Father Jason Landeza, pastor, St. Benedict Parish in Oakland
Cristina Torres, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Union City
Father Mark Ruiz, Boston Archdiocese Cluster Parish model
Father Leo Edgerly, Diocesan Presbyteral Council vice chair
Eric Hom, business manager, St. Michael Parish in Livermore

Ex Officio:
Steve Wilcox, diocesan Chancellor
Paul Bongiovanni, diocesan Chief Financial Officer