Parish Councils as a Tool for Evangelization. Part 2 Pastoral Planning

Transcription

1 Parish Councils as a Tool for Evangelization Part 2 Pastoral Planning

2 KEY DOCUMENTS FOR A PASTORAL COUNCIL By-laws or other governance document Parish Mission Statement PASTORAL PLAN

3 WHAT IS A PASTORAL PLAN? Similar to a strategic plan But for a parish, not an organization Comes out of your parish s mission statement Considers the broader mission of the Roman Catholic Church and the Diocese of Joliet Outlines goals Identifies specific tasks/objectives enforces accountability

4 A FRAMEWORK FOR PASTORAL ACTION The Diocese of Joliet does not have a Pastoral Plan In 2014, Bishop Conlon and a diocesan Pastoral Planning Committee released A Framework for Pastoral Action to help guide Councils in developing a plan The development of the Framework took 3 years, and involved the participation of hundreds of participants from around the Diocese of Joliet

5 A FRAMEWORK FOR PASTORAL ACTION EVANGELIZATION DISCIPLESHIP CHARITY Seek, invite, and welcome Catholics who have drifted away from the Church. Emphasize and outwardly proclaim the importance of the sacraments. Cultivate a personal encounter with Jesus in order to joyfully share thegospel as a knowledgeable and responsible disciple. Inspire young adults to participate as lay leaders in the mission of thecatholic Church. Embrace immigrant Catholics and encourage their development as leadersin the Church. Go outside your church doors to care for people in need. Advocate for and with people in need as the Gospel instructs you to do.

6 SO WHAT IS PARISH PASTORAL PLANNING? A process of prayer, study and discernment, through which the pastor and Pastoral Council identify and prioritize ways the parish is being called to live the Christian mission in a specific way, in light of the three pillars of Discipleship, Evangelization and Charity.

7 SO WHAT IS PARISH PASTORAL PLANNING? The Process 1. REFLECT 2. DRAFT 3. COMMUNICATE 4. IMPLEMENT (5. REPEAT)

8 1. GOAL SETTING Goal setting cannot be done only at Parish Council meetings. Council members must dialogue with the whole of the parish. This can be done in many different ways surveys, town halls, meetings, or electronic means

9 1. REFLECT: GOAL SETTING One popular method is the SWOT analysis Positive Negative Internal What are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? External What opportunities exist for us? What challenges are we facing?

10 1. REFLECT: GOAL SETTING C.R.A.V.E. GOOD GOALS C R A V E CHALLENGING RELATED TO THE PARISH S MISSION STATEMENT ACTION-ORIENTED; NOT IMPOSSIBLY VAGUE VISIONARY LOOKS BEYOND INCREMENTAL CHANGE ENERGIZING CAN THE PARISH GET BEHIND IT?

11 UNDERSTAND YOUR NOMENCLATURE A GOAL IS USUALLY BROADER, LOFTIER AN OBJECTIVE IS MORE SPECIFIC. (EACH GOAL MAY HAVE A FEW OBJECTIVES)

12 2. DRAFT: SETTING OBJECTIVES MAKE THEM S.M.A.R.T. S M A R T SPECIFIC (CLEAR, OBVIOUS) MEASURABLE HOW WILL WE KNOW IF IT WORKED? ATTAINABLE (REALISITIC) RELEVANT APPLIES CLEARLY TO ONE OF YOUR GOALS TIME-BOUND (SET BENCHMARKS, DEADLINES)

13 3. COMMUNICATE WITH CONSISTENCY AND QUALITY TO THE PARISH Publish the plan in all possible ways to whole parish Reference the plan constantly especially when rolling out new efforts Expect and welcome feedback

14 4. IMPLEMENT - BE ACCOUNTABLE Implementation of the Pastoral Plan is the responsibility of the pastor, the parish staff, and parish volunteers. The Parish Pastoral Council should consider regularly visiting the progress of the Plan at their meetings. Share and celebrate the Plan s successes Acknowledge and examine areas where objectives where not completed as anticipated, or where the objective did not serve the goal as well as hoped. Provide guidance if the responsible person needs it Consider whether a modification to the plan is in order After 3-5 years, expect to revisit the plan as a whole

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16 What is Strategic Planning? Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. What do we want to do? How do we best excel? Where do we want the Parish to be? 16

17 SJA Pillars Built on Five Pillars of the Parish Catechesis Worship Social & Service School Facilities & Administration 17

18 SJA Mission Statement Make the Kingdom of God visible in our community by seeking human wholeness, peace, and a bond of charity in our relationships with one another. 18

19 Vision and Values Statements Definition A values statement describes what the organization believes and how it will behave. These values create a moral compass for the parish and its employees. This compass guides decision-making and establishes a standard that actions can be assessed against. A values statement defines the deeply held beliefs and principles of the organizational culture. These core values are an internalized framework that is shared and acted on by leadership. Source: SHRM Society for Human Resources Management 19

20 SJA Vision and Values Statements We believe that every person is created in the image of God and has infinite worth. We believe that the Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ and is the instrument for the salvation of the world. We believe that God has called us to engage our community by providing inspiration in worship, hospitality and catechesis. 20

21 SJA Vision and Values Statements We believe that evangelization is the vocation of every Catholic. We believe that a life of faith involves: regular participation in the liturgy, prayer, ongoing formation, and participation in ministries that transform lives. We believe that stewardship is essential as an expression of our faith and hope for the future of our parish. 21

22 SJA Vision and Values Statements We believe that diversity is valuable, and we support that value through our programs and ministries. We believe that the social teachings of the Church are expressed in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy that are undertaken by our parish ministries. We believe that the parish should strive for continual growth through critical evaluation and by listening to and being guided by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 22

23 SMART Goals S. - Specific M. - Measurable A. Assignable R. - Realistic T. Time based 23

24 Pillar #1 - Catechesis Definition: A life-long formation that begins in the home and is enhanced through parish organizations. The goal is to teach parishioners the language and concepts of Church traditions, so that the faith can be integrated into daily life. 24

25 Pillar #1 - Catechesis Goals: Implement a standardized annual assessment of the effectiveness of religious education of students starting in Develop an integrated catechesis program for parish parents by the end of Drive an increase of 20% in regular participation in the Eucharist by parish parents by the end of Develop an enhanced integrated catechesis program for teens/young adults (ages 13-19) in the parish by the end of Drive an increase in participation in specific events and related ministries for young adults by 30% by

26 Pillar #1 - Catechesis Goals: Develop resources to effectively minister to Hispanic students in Religious Formation classes by Develop a permanent ministry by the end of 2019 for Hispanic Catholics within the St. Joan of Arc boundaries. Establish an evangelization program that attracts inactive and new parishioners to St. Joan of Arc to achieve a 10% increase in participation in the Eucharist by

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