“What advice could you give to a pastor who has a deep consciousness of the evangelizing role of his parish but who feels alone facing this challenge?”

In response, Father Yves le Saux of the Emmanuel Community said, “I think that today the parochial function should not be entrusted to only one man but to a team of priests who have a demanding community life and who are prepared for working together in the mission.”

This discussion took place during a recent conference on “The Parish and New Evangelization” that was hosted in Rome.

As I read about it, I recalled a study we conducted in the 1990s on priests ordained five-to-nine years. We asked them how they see themselves operating multiple parishes with fewer priests. A good number of them said they would just “work harder.” Even though some mentioned the need for more collaboration with the laity, many made no mention of this.

In my travels around the country, every diocese I visit has most priests ministering to two or three parishes. The parishes are separated by long distances. Often a priest is celebrating four or five Masses on a weekend. And in some parishes several languages are spoken; often this makes communication frustrating.

In old Western movies, the hero cowboy frequently had a sidekick. For example, the Lone Ranger had Tonto. Priests are often seen today as Lone Rangers without a Tonto.

According to Father Saux, this isn’t necessary. “The priest who feels alone should, in principle, have the objective of surrounding himself with people who not only evangelize with him, but who also pray with him, reflect with him, have a Christian life with him,” he said.

Presently there is much wringing of hands over the severe crisis of fewer priests. While the word “crisis” sounds ominous, a closer look at its meaning reveals it has a very positive side. It means a crossroads, which is exactly where the priesthood in the U.S. is presently.

We live in a new millennium challenging us to look at old models of parish life, considering where new models may be imagined.

Parish priests are at the crossroads of going it alone or looking for co-workers and creating teamwork. It is a crossroads between holding on to or letting go of the idea that “I” will just have to work harder.

This crossroads is calling for change and innovation in parish life, the priesthood and the laity.