In his first three months as the first chief operating officer for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Bill Lentsch said he has spent a lot of time listening and learning.
That’s included meeting with pastors and other parish leaders, board members, key benefactors, partners such as the Catholic Community Foundation and the Catholic Services Appeal Foundation, and learning what’s on the minds of archdiocesan staff members. Those meetings have helped him understand some of the history and where some challenges may lie, he said, to “understand the things that we do well here at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center and across the archdiocese, and get myself a good lay of the land,” while also understanding processes and individuals’ responsibilities.
Bill Lentsch
The St. Paul native and member of Assumption in St. Paul retired June 30 as executive vice president and chief customer experience officer of Delta Airlines. He recently joined “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley to give an update on his first three months in his new position.
Lentsch said his work so far has informed him as he works with and in support of Archbishop Bernard Hebda, and in support of all archdiocesan parishes, to develop a more cohesive, long-term strategic plan and vision for the archdiocese, and then execute that plan. “So, it’s been a lot of listening and a lot of learning to really understand where this organization has been and where it needs to go,” he said.
Asked about concerns, Lentsch described an opportunity to improve or speed up decision-making, whether within the Archdiocesan Catholic Center in St. Paul or in support of parishes; a need to identify whether limited resources are focused on the right priorities; and a need for solid lines of communication among archdiocesan staff and with parishes, “opening up avenues for good, healthy, two-way conversation, rather than just a monologue.”
Lentsch said he has also learned from people across the archdiocese how “incredibly passionate” they are about their mission and how committed individuals are to God’s work in doing what they can to serve others and bring more people into the Catholic faith “and ultimately, save souls.”
At the interview’s close, Lentsch said listeners could send a concern they’d like to raise with him to his email address, [email protected].
“I want to hear what’s on the minds of those in this wonderful community and do what I can to serve either directly or with the support of my team,” he said.
To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of “Practicing Catholic.” It airs at 9 p.m. Jan. 7, 1 p.m. Jan. 8 and 2 p.m. Jan. 9 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Alyssa Bormes, who describes a new children’s book that helps young ones know and love Mary, and Minnesota artist Mark Balma, who describes the frescoes of women in Scripture he is creating for a parish in Italy.
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at
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