our challenge today is to build on those solid foundations and to foster a sense of collaboration and shared responsibility in planning for the future parishes and institutions. this does not mean relinquishing the spiritual authority in which we have been entrusted. rather, it means discerning and ploying wisely the manifold gifts which the spirit pours out upon the church. in a particular way, it means valuing the immense contribution which women, lay and religious make and continue to make to the life of our communities.