Growing In Faith Together

Transcription

1 Growing In Faith Together Parish Update November 12 th & 13th, 2011 St. Patrick Parish - Washington, IL GIFT Parish Update November 12 tth & 13 th, 2011

2 Parish Update Purpose Update the Parish on the Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) initiative Create a level of awareness and excitement about the future of our Parish and the Diocese Answer your questions

3 Agenda GIFT Initiative Process Timeline Activities to Date Your Role Q & A

4 GIFT Initiative Growing In Faith Together (GIFT) is a Diocesan wide initiative to: Grow and reorganize ourselves to do what we already do, but to do it better. Discover anew our strengths as well as explore ways we can be stronger and more effective by working together. -Bishop Jenky

5 GIFT Initiative The following are the goals of the GIFT pastoral planning initiative as prescribed by Bishop Jenky: 1.To enhance the vibrancy of parish life in the Diocese of Peoria. 2.To strengthen the presence and ministry of the Church in the city and rural areas of the Diocese. 3.To foster an appreciation for and participation in Sunday Eucharist and the Sacrament of Penance. 4.To help make Stewardship a Way of Life throughout the Diocese. 5.To promote vocations to ordained and lay ministry. 6.To ensure that all parishioners have opportunities for quality lifelong Christian Formation, including supporting new initiatives for youth and young adults. 7.To strengthen service to those who are marginalized. 8.To build a greater sense of unity among the English speaking and Spanish speaking people within the local Church. 9.To increase collaboration among all entities in the local, national, and universal Church. 10.To advocate for peace and justice in the Church and in the world.

6 Process The Reid Group A professional consulting organization focused on prophetic planning. Providing training, process, deliverables, and leadership to guide the Diocese, cluster teams, and parish core teams throughout the planning process. Parish Core Team Each parish in the Diocese has a core team made up of 4 parish members and pastor The parish core team is responsible for seeing that all work is completed at the parish level, including involving parishioners in the planning process, maintaining open and direct communications, and representing the parish in all cluster meetings. Eric Mickels, John Grillot, Brian Sajko, Kara Kamienski, Monsignor Prendergast

7 Process Cluster Core Teams Groups consisting of parish core team members from all parishes in a given cluster. Conduct various planning activities, decide upon a cluster suggestion and rationale, review Diocesan recommendations, and make a cluster response to the Diocese. St. Patrick, Blessed Sacrament, St. Monica, & St. Luke Diocesan Planning Commission A group of 25 ordained, religious, and lay leaders broadly representative of the Diocese. Delegated by Bishop Jenky. Study parish/cluster evaluations and suggestions, make preliminary and then final recommendations after review of cluster response.

8 Process The GIFT planning initiative will lead to implementation of one of the following models by each cluster: 1. Merged Parish where two or more parishes merge and become a new parish. 2. Linked Parishes where two or more parishes remain separate parishes but share a pastor. 3. Partnership Parishes where two or more parishes partner and share ministries, programs, and/or staff. 4. In Solidum Team where three or more parishes are served by a team of priests.

9 Timeline June 23, 2011 Bishop Jenky called all priests in the Diocese together for orientation. September 13-14, 2011 Training sessions were held throughout the Diocese for Parish Core Teams. November 7, 2011 Clusters were announced. December 5-6, 2011 Training sessions will be held throughout the Diocese for Cluster Core Teams March 2, 2012 Cluster suggestions are due to the Diocesan Planning Commission. March 30, 2012 Diocesan Planning Commission preliminary recommendations are completed. June 22, 2012 Final recommendations of Diocesan Planning Commission are completed. August 31, 2012 Decisions by Bishop Jenky are announced. October 1, 2012 Planning for implementation of Bishop Jenky's directives begins. January 2013 Implementation begins.

10 Activities to Date Parish Core Team Selected by Monsignor Prendergast Attended the September training session Meets every Friday morning Communication strategy and plan is being executed Catholic Post Diocese of Peoria web site Letter from Monsignor Weekly Bulletin Parish Update Completion of prerequisite work for cluster activity, involving core team and parish leaders Parish Data Verification Parish statistics, demographics, and trends Parish Evaluation Sacramental Life of the Parish Evangelization,Catechesis, & Catholic Schools Stewardship & Justice Effective Administration Parish Summary Staffing Strengths & Weaknesses Parish Description

11 Your Role Be Prayerful Pray for our Parish, cluster parishes, and Diocese Pray that we answer our Bishop's call to grow in faith together Be Open New and improved ways of doing things are coming New opportunities will present themselves to improve how we fulfill the Church's mission Be Welcoming We have an opportunity to reach beyond our parish walls and our local community, to work with, grow, and share our Catholic faith local communities and with the world Be Involved Participate in activities and ministries beyond attending Mass Look for opportunities to get involved, to learn, to share your talents, and to help us grow in faith Be Positive Good things are happening in our Parish and in our Diocese Trust in the Holy Spirit to guide us on this journey

12 Question & Answer