In September 2005, Monsignor Connolly asked a subcommittee of the Pastoral Council to research and to develop a plan for the future leadership of the parish. Who should lead Holy Family into the next generation? This was a big task.

The first step was to research and evaluate alternative parish leadership models used throughout the nation and within the Archdiocese, including the parish life director model. Simply stated, a parish life director (or "PLD") is a lay minister who is appointed by the Cardinal Archbishop to lead a parish.

One objective was to learn as much as possible from other parishes already using this model, specifically what worked for them and why; a "best practices" for parish leadership approach. The subcommittee targeted larger parishes with 1,000 households or more, since they are likely equally diverse and face similar challenges as Holy Family which has over a 6,000 households. The subcommittee interviewed over twenty PLDs and diocesan leaders throughout the nation.

While each person interviewed had personal insights, stories and advice to share, three bits of wisdom were consistently voiced: that the inclusion of the parish is the key to a successful transition to the PLD model; that a positive, mutually-respectful relationship between the PLD and the priests is vital to the long-term success of the model within a parish; and that diocesan support is essential for the PLD's success.

During this time, the Archdiocese invited all parishes to discern upon the question of future leadership models. In response to this invitation and with the wisdom gained through the PLD interviews as well as from broad consultation with additional parish leadership, the subcommittee recommended the PLD model as the future leadership structure of the parish to the Pastoral Council, who in turn recommended the model to Monsignor. Monsignor embraced this recommendation and began a conversation with the Archdiocese to make it a reality.

A planning committee was then formed in order to formalize a plan for this change. The plan, "A Vision for Parish Leadership", was developed and is available on the parish website. Documents from numerous dioceses were reviewed and analyzed while developing the vision.

One vital element of the vision is the supportive presence of Monsignor Connolly throughout the transition, implementation, and beyond. Although transitioning from Holy Family's Pastor upon appointment of the PLD, Monsignor Connolly will continue to bless Holy Family for many years with his wisdom and passion in priestly ministry by celebrating Mass, visiting the sick, performing all the tasks that he was ordained to perform and which remain dear to his heart.

Monsignor Connolly then asked several parishioners and representatives from the Archdiocese to search for this leader so that he may recommend this person to the Archdiocese for the formal appointment. The search committee grew to twelve members. Each member brought their own unique life experience and wisdom. They included leaders in law, medicine, religion, human resources, and finance. This committee collectively had over 100 years of parish life experience at Holy Family. Most importantly, the committee was faithful, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance so that they could best fulfill the needs of the parish and accomplish this formidable job ahead of them.

The committee's first task was to develop a candidate profile which included essential qualities and characteristics of the desired leader in areas such as education, administration, pastoral care, leadership and theology. The search committee consulted with the parish staff and other leaders within the parish and Archdiocese before the candidate profile was finalized.

Once the search committee obtained a clear vision of the type of leader needed for Holy Family, a coast-to-coast search for this person began. Every means possible was used to spread the word, including advertisements in numerous Catholic publications, announcements at several national PLD/lay leadership conferences, notices at universities known to have strong lay leadership programs, contact with various religious orders throughout the West Coast, use of a nationally known consultant in this area, as well as simply using the vast lay-leadership "grapevine."

This phase of the search was by far the most vital and the most challenging. The best person could not apply for the position unless they first heard about this great opportunity. With this in mind, the search committee sought the advice and council of a consultant who knew how to reach the up-and-coming lay leadership and the PLD network in general.

Many informal inquires were made regarding the position. Over twenty viable applications were received and reviewed. Each of these applicants was contacted individually. Over the course of the search, the committee formally interviewed six of the top applicants. These top candidates included men and women from across the country.

Upon completing the interviews, the search committee unanimously recommended Cambria Smith to be Holy Family's first lay pastoral associate and to later transition to become Holy Family's first PLD. Of all the wonderful people met throughout this process, Cambria Smith is by far the best fit for Holy Family. The right person did hear about this great opportunity, and Holy Family is blessed that Cambria applied and will begin her assignment as a lay pastoral associate at Holy Family on August 15, 2008.

The Transition Committee encourages you view the parish plan, A Vision for Parish Leadership, in its entirety. To ask questions or share your support, contact us via phone (626/403-6182) or
e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).