Amen, Sister Christine. Going through this in Pittsburgh, I can tell you that the goal is resulting parishes where an average of 2,400 people attend a Sunday Mass. I cannot imagine Mass getting much more "corporate" than that! At the same time, I am sensing an unwillingness for the bishop and priests to relax the tight, top-down control the diocese exerts over its parishes. I would like to have seen a process of true engagement with the faithful, where the laity was invited to take control of their parishes with priests invited to join with the laity in building vibrant ministries. Without buy-in from the faithful, I have my doubts whether the reorganization will accomplish the stated goal of building vibrant parishes.

One other comment: Starbucks does not have franchises. Like the Church's parishes, all Starbucks are corporately owned.