St. Josaphat St. Joseph Sweetest Heart of Mary Together In Faith II Merger Plan Submitted: December 30, 2012
Table of Contents ADMINISTRATOR S LETTER TO ARCHBISHOP... iii INTRODUCTION... iv COMMUNICATION PLAN... 1 PASTORAL PARISH COUNCIL /TRANSITIONAL TEAM MEETINGS... 3 WORSHIP COMMISSION PLANS... 4 SOCIAL GATHERINGS... 5 SACRAMENT SHARING... 6 MINISTERIAL OR PROGRAM SHARING INITIATIVES... 7 SEVEN MISSION PRIORITIES... 9 Mission Priority #1: Evangelization & Catechesis... 9 Mission Priority #2: Christian Service & Outreach...10 Mission Priority #3: Youth and Young Adults...11 Mission Priority #4: Lay Leadership...12 Mission Priority #5: Stewardship and Administration...13 Mission Priority #6: Catholic Schools...14 Mission Priority #7: Vocations...15 ST. JOSAPHAT, ST. JOSEPH AND SWEETEST HEART OF MARY TIF II MERGER PLAN SUBMISSION PAGE...17 APPENDIX A (MINUTES) MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES 8-17-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES 8-27-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES 9-14-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES 9-24-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES 10-5-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES..10-19-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES 11-9-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES. 11-16-12 MERGED PARISHES TRANSITION TEAM MEETING: MINUTES..12-10-12 APPENDIX B (QUINN-EVANS ARCHITECTS) SWEETEST HEART OF MARY INITIAL REVIEW OF CONDITIONS & PRIORITIES.9-5-12 SWEETEST HEART OF MARY PROPOSAL FOR FACILITY ASSESSMENT.9-7-12 ST. JOSAPHAT INITIAL REVIEW OF CONDITIONS & PRIORITIES.9-7-12 ST. JOSAPHAT PROPOSAL FOR FACILITY ASSESSMENT.....9-7-12 ST. JOSEPH INITIAL REVIEW OF CONDITIONS & PRIORITIES 9-11-12 ST. JOSEPH PROPOSAL FOR FACILITY ASSESSMENT...9-11-12 ii
INTRODUCTION Parishes of: St. Josaphat, St. Joseph, and Sweetest Heart of Mary Our three parishes are historically significant. All three are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Josaphat were both established in 1889 while St. Joseph was established in 1855. Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Josaphat were clustered in 2003, and St. Joseph joined the cluster in 2004. Both Sweetest Heart of Mary and St. Josaphat are personal parishes, while St. Joseph is territorial. The majority of parishioners live in the Greater Detroit area, a fact that illustrates an enduring affinity beyond mere convenience for the liturgies we celebrate. They travel to churches that have reverence and respect for the blessed. Our many different parish social activities demonstrate the enthusiasm felt by those who come a distance for our cluster Lenten Fish Fry, Pierogi Festival, Oktoberfest, and monthly fundraising dinners. Our cluster food pantry is relied upon by many needy families living in the immediate area of our three parishes. Our Merger Team acknowledges the need for a plan to handle the current, and soon to be more severe, priest shortage within the Archdiocese. We also know that it is necessary for the church to have a constant presence in the City of Detroit. Our three parishes are relevant for this goal. Merging our three parishes will result in strengthening our presence and collaboration within the merged parishes. We intend this plan to be a framework for merging our three parishes. The following report shows a spirit of unity and cooperation within our Merger Team as we move forward to implement our new mission: We the people of God give witness to His message living out our Roman Catholic faith by serving our brothers and sisters from the heart of Detroit and beyond. iv
COMMUNICATION PLAN Purpose: To create channels of communication which include the parish bulletin, meetings, church announcements and the parish website, so that all parishioners understand how the merger is moving forward, what to expect, and how they can participate in the life of the newly formed parish. Vision: A communication model that insures a sense of openness and clarity about the activities of the merger and newly created parish. September 2012 Recaps of transition team meetings appear in bulletin October 2012 Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin Merger process discussed at joint parish council meeting November 2012 Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin AOD representative present at joint parish council meeting to discuss merger process and answer questions from parish council members December 2012 A town hall meeting scheduled for December 4, 2012 was open to all parishioners of St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary. Bishop Hanchon from AOD will be present along with Fr. Darrell and members of the Together in Faith transition team. Meeting was cancelled due to Bishop Hanchon s unavailability. Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin January 2013 A second town hall meeting is scheduled and open to all parishioners of St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary. A representative from AOD will be present along with Fr. Darrell and members of the Together in Faith
transition team. Meeting will be held in the church of St. Josaphat, pending approval of merger plan document by AOD. Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin Merger information begins to appear on St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary websites Synopsis of merger report will be distributed to parish councils and made available to parishioners who request it February 2013 Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin Merger information is updated on St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary websites March 2013 Opportunities are explored for joint Lenten/Easter activities to get parishioners united and focused on the success of the future parish together. Letters are sent to parishioners regarding the status and plans of the merger and parishioners are encouraged to submit names for the new parish. Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin Merger information is updated on St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary April 2013 Final three names submitted by parishioners for the new parish will be chosen during Divine Mercy Mass at St. Joseph s Church on April 17, 2013. The names will then be sent to the Archbishop for review and approval. Request for prayer of the transition and merging process printed on the cover of the weekly parish bulletin Recaps of transition team meetings continue to appear in bulletin Merger information is updated on St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary May 2013 New parish name is announced and newly formed parish council and finance committees are named on Pentecost Sunday on May 19, 2013. 2
New bulletin announces formation of new parish Letters go out to parishioners Copies of approved merger plan will be made available to parishioners in hard copy and on parish website. PASTORAL PARISH COUNCIL / TRANSITIONAL TEAM MEETINGS Purpose: In establishing a new parish, bodies of lay leadership must be formed to help manage and build our faith community. These include a pastoral parish council, worship commission/committee and finance/stewardship council. While members will serve the needs of our entire parish, representatives from each worship site will be appointed. Vision: To establish a body of parishioners who, in conjunction with our pastor/administrator, provide thoughtful, constructive and responsible leadership rooted in the foundations of Catholic faith and serve the best interests of our entire new parish. September December 2012 A leadership team was appointed by Fr. Darrell Roman to serve as the Merger Transition Team. It included four members from each parish St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary. This group was asked to help facilitate the merger of the parishes following the guidelines set forth by Together In Faith, including the formation of the merger plan. January - May 2013 The Together In Faith merger team will continue to serve as the Transition Team as parishes converge towards unity of a single parish. Separate parish councils from individual parishes will meet collectively on a monthly basis in January, February, March and April (dates TBD). Separate finance councils from individual parishes will meet as needed January through April (dates TBD). In April 2013, a ceremony will be held to acknowledge the work and contributions of the acting parish councils. These parish councils will be disbanded in April. In May, a new Pastoral Parish Council and Finance Commission will be appointed and installed under the name of the new parish on Pentecost Sunday. These bodies will include parishioners who have roots in each worship site. Members of the parish council will be provided a copy of the approved merger plan document as an outline for moving forward. June 2013 3
The new Pastoral Parish Council will meet monthly beginning in June 2013 (dates TBD). WORSHIP COMMISSION PLANS Purpose: To insure that the needs of the celebrants are prepared for at each worship site in the new parish. Vision: To offer a diversity of liturgies among the worship sites that bring congregants closer to God through inspiring worship experiences in the Novus Ordo and Extraordinary Form Masses and other worship opportunities. Plans: The Pastor/Administrator shall appoint a new Worship Committee, which includes representatives being chosen from each church. Committee members will meet at the request of the Pastor/Administrator; they will assist in scheduling liturgies and devotions for major feast days and special events. Committee members will communicate with altar servers, directors of music, altar societies, ushers, and parish organizations when necessary to assure that sufficient altar servers will be present, that vestments, altar linens, hosts, and everything pertaining to the Celebrant s needs are prepared for in advance of all liturgies. Committee members will consult with the Pastor/Administrator concerning liturgies and devotions at each church, and for all merged parish liturgies and devotions. The Committee should consult with the Directors of Music well in advance, if directed by the Pastor/Administrator, who may prepare worship aids if necessary. The Committee should communicate to the Pastor/Administrator the needs of each church, whether regarding personnel or supplies. Diversity in the liturgies of each church will require extra attention from Committee members, whether at a merged parish liturgy or in the respective churches. Committee members should be familiar with the practices and needs of each church. Specifically, the Committee should be knowledgeable of the sung Latin Novus Ordo and Extraordinary Form liturgies and the necessary personnel, books, vestments, vessels, and implements required for the performance of these Masses, wherever the Masses are said. Special attention should be given to merged parish liturgies and devotions to assure that each church is able to contribute something tangible, such as altar servers, lectors or musicians. 4
Acknowledge the mandate to move toward a Mass schedule that complies with the code of Canon Law requiring the pastor/administrator to say no more than three Masses on a weekend or Holy Day of Obligation. This will require a new Mass schedule to be developed in the future. SOCIAL GATHERINGS Function: Our social gatherings will be planned events that will bring the parishioners of our merged parishes together. These events will provide opportunities for our parishioners to get to know one another. Goals: The goals of our social gatherings will be to provide structured opportunities and events for our parishioners to establish new and strengthen existing relationships with one another. In building these relationships our parishioners will establish a new identity as a merged family of parishioners. Building new and strengthening existing relationships will also foster collaboration that can extend to other parish ministries and functions. Plans: Pre-merger Plan a pre-merger Mass, which would be attended by all parishioners in anticipation of the planned merger date of July 1, 2013. o Time and schedules permitting there may be 1 such Mass held at each of the 3 churches to demonstrate that all of the churches should be equally respected and valued by all parishioners. Schedule a picnic, which will take place immediately following the Mass in June for the parishioners to celebrate coming together as a merged parish Merger month of July 2013 Plan a Liturgy of Unity for all parishioners of the merged parish Plan a merged parish social to be held immediately following the Liturgy of Unity for all parishioners Post-merger 5
Plan monthly parish socials to be held immediately following a Mass, which would be opportunities both to socialize with fellow parishioners and the pastor as well as provide information on parish/archdiocesan resources, volunteer opportunities, and opportunities to learn more about our faith all per our merger plans Develop a draft parish social plan year-over-year by the end of the third quarter for the following year. o This plan could be reviewed with the Parish Council and other active committees for volunteers to manage and staff them. o When the draft plan is formalized it should be communicated to the parishioners via the weekly bulletin and also posted to the parish web-site to encourage maximum communication and participation. SACRAMENT SHARING Function: Sharing our sacramental activities will engender and grow a spirit of cooperation and unity in our merged parish. This sacramental sharing will focus the hearts and minds of all parishioners toward the same spiritual ends, strengthening our parish community. Goals: The spiritual goals of our shared sacramental activities will be to enhance the unity of our merged parish and to enable all parishioners to grow in the depth and breadth of their faith. The practical goals of our shared sacramental activities will be to hone the focus of our collective efforts and collaboration on those activities, which are core to our Roman Catholic faith, demonstrate the diversity and orthodoxy of our Ordinary and Extraordinary form Masses, and enhance the faith life of our parish. Plans: Pre-merger Develop a plan for the following sacramental and liturgical activities, and determine which will follow the Ordinary and which will follow the Extraordinary forms. o Lent 2013 Stations of the Cross St. Joseph s Day Devotions, Mass, and activities o Triduum 2013 Holy Thursday Mass Exposition Good Friday Liturgy 6
Holy Saturday blessing of Easter baskets o Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday Masses o Divine Mercy Sunday o Easter Season and the Season of Pentecost Parish Mission Merger month of July 2013 Plan a Liturgy of Unity for all parishioners of the merged parish, and determine which form it will follow. Post-merger Develop a plan for the following liturgical and sacramental activities, and determine which will follow the Ordinary and which will follow the Extraordinary forms. o Advent 2013 o Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) o First Holy Communion / Investiture in the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel o Sacrament of Baptism o Sacrament of Reconciliation and Penance o Sacrament of Confirmation o Sacrament of Matrimony Develop a draft sacramental activities and liturgical plan year-over-year by the end of the third quarter for the following year. o This plan must be reviewed with the pastor and approved by him. o When the draft plan is formalized it should be communicated to the parishioners via the weekly bulletin and also posted to the parish web-site to encourage maximum communication and participation. MINISTERIAL OR PROGRAM SHARING INITIATIVES Function: Sharing our ministerial and pastoral activities will engender and grow a spirit of cooperation and unity in our merged parish. Combining these activities will focus the hearts and minds of all parishioners toward the same spiritual and community ends, strengthening us as a parish and demonstrating our commitment to Jesus Christ and to one another. Goals: The spiritual goals of our shared ministerial and pastoral activities will be to enhance the unity of our merged parish and to enable all parishioners to grow in the depth and breadth of their faith. 7
The practical goals of our shared ministerial and pastoral activities will be to hone the focus of our collective efforts and collaboration on those activities, which are both important and dear to us as Roman Catholics, demonstrate the diversity and orthodoxy of our Ordinary and Extraordinary form devotions, and enhance the faith life of our parish. Plans: In the first quarter of 2013 develop a collaborative plan to promote and grow the existing ministerial and pastoral activities o Societies and Organizations Altar Society Ladies Guild Men s Club Black Madonna Guild Confraternity of St. Joseph First Friday Purgatorial Society Holy Name Society Knights of Columbus Knights of St. John Legion of Mary / Legio Mariae o Novenas Black Madonna Holy Ghost Sacred Heart St. Joseph Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Tridentine) o Devotions Divine Mercy Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession and 40 Hours Devotion First Friday Tridentine Mass and prayers for vocations to the priesthood May Crowning Veneration of relics o Annual Parish Mission o Faith formation / lectures (Youth, Young Adult and Adult Education) Determine if there are any other ministries or pastoral activities that should be considered for future development and establishment, based on the parish mission statement, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Review the existing ministerial and pastoral activities on an annual basis in the third quarter of each year. o Determine if any new activities should be considered. o Determine if any existing activities are moving toward closure. Communicate the existing ministerial and pastoral activities to the parishioners via the weekly bulletin and also post information and opportunities for participation on the parish web-site to encourage maximum communication and participation. 8
SEVEN MISSION PRIORITIES Mission Priority #1: Evangelization & Catechesis Purpose: An inexorable function of the church is to present the Word of God as a living Word, present in every time for every age. It is our purpose to be a prominent voice of that Word within the community that surrounds our three churches and that which attends the liturgical activities at each site. Vision: The overarching Mission Statement of newly formed parish: We the people of God give witness to His message living out the Roman Catholic Faith by serving our brothers and sisters from the heart of Detroit and beyond. underscores the essence of Evangelization and Catechesis as the dominant result of true witness of God s message. The very concept of Evangelization is inexorably connected with Catechesis in that it is impossible to presume one without the other such that they will be treated as co-equals in our mission of witness. Each will involve differing formats; each will have the same goal. Given that the dynamic of our new parish structure will reflect much of the same characteristics as our former cluster, i.e. lacking a closely linked geographical boundary, our evangelization and catechetical programming will be greatly limited through physically diverse communities. Past Accomplishments: Witnessing to the message of God was the central theme of preaching at all Masses. Various adult Bible study programs and adult education programs were instituted. Bulletin articles by pastor/administrator and deacon explained Gospel principles in the modern world. The Tridentine community provided education into the demands and practices of the Extraordinary Form. Promote Catholic principles of loving service through our Food Pantry Program. Future Opportunities: Continuing to preach God s word at every Mass. Institute a formalized program of Adult instruction 9
o Bible Study o Catechism of Catholic Church o Church history Extend distribution of bulletins to all who receive food or assistance from our Pantry Program or other future outreach programs. Mission Priority #2: Christian Service & Outreach Purpose: 1. To serve our brothers and sisters who are the least among us through corporal and spiritual works of mercy; and, to help facilitate this, 2. Increase our parish membership and parishioners level of involvement in service and outreach efforts. Vision: To reach out to our neighbors and parish family members in need, offering goods and services to assist them. Past accomplishments (ongoing): Advent Trees for the needs of infants and babies in the Wee Care Project Holiday gift sharing for children through Catholic Social Services of Wayne County Toys for Tots Project Food Pantry with delivery to needy individuals and families within our geographic boundaries Facility and space provided for St. Aloysius Distribution Center and Outreach Ministry Participation in yearly mission collection Support for the Knights of Columbus (Bishop Plagens Council) via the use of office space, meeting space, storage space and activity space for service projects pertaining to our parish Devotional materials, news items, the Michigan Catholic newspaper and parish membership forms offered on tables and racks in our churches Offering of rosaries and devotionals for sale at our religious goods store Corpus Christi processions in surrounding neighborhoods Tours of our historic buildings, highlighting their architecture and artifacts through designated individuals who explain the history and conduct the tours Frequently updated websites for our individual churches Future Opportunities (in addition to ongoing efforts): Directed service projects, for youth and others, related to our current outreach activities, such as: o Parish food pantry assistance 10
o Website maintenance, updates and improvements o Social Media outreach Ministry to attend to the needs of homebound parishioners Corpus Christi procession to include all three worship sites Adopt a Parishioner program to recruit & retain new members and involve them in parish life Mission Priority #3: Youth and Young Adults Purpose: The purpose is two-fold: 1. Bring youth and young adults into a lifelong relationship with Christ through the sacraments, prayer, and the study of His Divine Word 2. Incorporate the gift of faith which youth and young adults possess into the life of the larger Catholic community. Vision: Our vision is to inspire youth and young adults to share their gifts, talents, energy and enthusiasm in the mission of the Church. Past Accomplishments: Holiday gift sharing through Catholic Social Services of Wayne County noting child ages, clothes sizes, and Christmas toy wishes Mass with St. Nicholas for children at Christmas time In order to fulfill a service requirement, 12 young men and women from a neighboring public school volunteered their time and energies at the Pierogi Festival Future Opportunities: Encourage parents to treat youth and young adults as human beings and through example give witness to the message of Christ. Engage youth in the media that speaks to them: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, as well as the internet. Encourage Service Learning opportunities among our youth and young adults. Conduct a Lenten retreat for young adults. Conduct a retreat for youth in Catholic high schools. Engage a Youth Minister who would volunteer time and talent to increase our exposure to youth and young adults of high school age. Empower young adults to suggest a social activity that would interest them, and under the guidance of adults, make this their fund raising activity and contribution to the merged parishes. 11
Part of the second floor of Sweetest Heart of Mary s St. Joseph Hall is being renovated for use by children for bible study, spiritual movies, and other forms of dialogue and activity. Reach out to the graduate and professional men and women who attend the Wayne State University Gordon Scott Hall of Basic Medical Sciences. Continue to reach out to the few young adults from Wayne State School of Medicine who occasionally attend Sunday Mass and make them feel welcomed in our merged parish. Reach out to the men and women who attend Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine s clinical program at Hutzel Hospital, make them feel welcomed in our community, and encourage them to give witness to the good news of God s message. Reach out to the greater Wayne State University main campus and occasionally share experiences with them, particularly with students who attend weekly Sunday evening Mass and pot luck dinner at the Newman Center. Since a priest is assigned as chaplain, we may be able to enter into fruitful dialogue and, perhaps, collaboration in volunteer or service learning activities within the boundaries of the merged parishes. Anyone working with youth in the parish will be expected to participate in the four-hour Archdiocesan training Protecting God s Children. Reach out and engage more youth to become readers, altar servers, and ushers. Mission Priority #4: Lay Leadership Purpose: Lay leaders play a vital role in our Church and will continue to do so. As such we need to: 1. Identify competent and talented men and women who can assist our priest in Church leadership and ministry. 2. Provide professional formation so that individuals with special gifts and talents can collaborate effectively in communicating Christ s message of evangelization. Vision: Through collaborative leadership models, our vision is to cultivate and form leaders who are rooted in our common mission of sharing Christ in and through the Church. Past Accomplishments: Parish Councils and Financial Councils have been formed in the three merged parishes. A Worship Committee exists in one parish while two parishes have inactive Worship Committees. Ladies and Men s Groups exist to support various functions. 12
Lay ministers serve as lectors as well as ushers and altar servers. Lay ministers serve as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. Altar Society (care of Sanctuary) at one parish. Wedding Coordinator for the merged parishes. Future Opportunities: Plan a concerted effort to seek more parishioners for lay leadership so that our current faithful who serve do not get burned out. Become more focused and organized at communicating our time, talents, and treasures. Strengthen our Worship Program with lay leaders to support the spiritual direction and guidance of our merged parishes. Train our lay leadership in the principles of evangelization by periodically sending them to formation classes, workshops, conferences, etc. at Sacred Heart Seminary and elsewhere. They, in turn, can share their knowledge and skills with other Church members. Generate a more focused approach to recruiting our altar servers and training them appropriately. Share the job of wedding coordination among the merged parishes. Designate lay leadership to orchestrate tours of our historic merged parishes. Designate a lay coordinator to train readers and altar servers. Designate a lay coordinator to prepare the bulletin and plan a published schedule including names of servers, readers, ushers, and priest who is offering the Mass. Educate parishioners to promote lay leadership in worship, finance, education, outreach, and administration. Mission Priority #5: Stewardship and Administration Purpose: To insure the parish's prudent use of the time, talent and treasure donated by the parishioners. Vision: All parishioners will support the new parish in a spirit of Christian charity. Past Accomplishments: St. Josaphat, St. Joseph and Sweetest Heart of Mary have spiritually and financially survived Detroit s rapid economic decline, population decimation and the complete unraveling of its social fabric. Despite these headwinds: All three parishes are debt-free and are substantially equity-positive. This includes both producing assets and liquidity. 13
The parishes demonstrated prudent financial management and are debt free. The buildings are in good shape. None have to be closed due to disrepair. Routine maintenance is regularly performed. Restoration is performed as funds are available. The parishes successfully supplemented offertory collections with festivals and fund-raising dinners and bake sales. Yearly festivals have had a dual impact: First, dramatically supplementing ongoing fundraising efforts. Second, created more community awareness of the parishes themselves which has contributed to membership growth. Various guilds and societies are active at the three sites. They support the parish through special projects. Two of the parishes receive rental income from outside sources. Future Opportunities: Create an office dedicated to establishing ongoing Capital Campaigns for the new parish. Continue to submit a balanced budget to the Archdiocese annually. Support the Changing Lives Together fundraiser. Leverage the new economy of scale and find new economic efficiencies. Explore adaptive reuse opportunities for unused buildings via preservation groups and local historic property management companies. This includes looking at former clergy living quarters for possible redevelopment via third party administration. Attempt to leverage existing assets based on identified income potential. Leverage the history and aesthetics of the member churches to attract more weddings and events such as concerts. Publish a brief summary of operations in the bulletin annually to keep the parishioners informed of our financial health. Strive for increased use of offertory envelopes and Parish Pay. Institutionalize a policy of debt avoidance for the parish. Publish a weekly update in the bulletin that compares Budget to Actual figures for the offertory collection. Mission Priority #6: Catholic Schools Purpose: The purpose is two-fold: 1. Unite the talents and resources of our merged parishes in providing a Catholic education for those who desire it 2. Advance the evangelizing mission of the Church 14
Vision: We share Archbishop Vigneron s vision for Catholic education when he said: What a marvelous blessing it would be if we arrived at a time when all of the parents who wanted a Catholic school education for their children could provide it! Past Accomplishments: Each of the merged parishes supported Catholic schools in their past history. Sweetest Heart of Mary elementary and secondary schools were staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph, Third Order of St. Francis, Garfield Heights, Ohio. St. Josaphat elementary and high schools were staffed by the Felician Sisters, Livonia, Michigan. St. Joseph s elementary school and all-girls high school were staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, Michigan. The all-boys high school was staffed by the Christian Brothers of Ireland. While the physical plants in the merged parishes are long gone, the Catholic school identity, traditions, and impact live on in the memories of parishioners who attend weekly services at the merged churches. Future Opportunities: Support a yearly retreat for youth attending local public, parochial, and private schools Connect with the Archdiocesan School Office and have students who attend Catholic schools visit our merged parishes to witness the rich history, Church architecture, and liturgical art of the three campuses. The experience would constitute a rewarding field trip for students. It would include Mass at noon, a light luncheon in one of the parish halls, and a follow up session that would permit dialogue and reflection. Pair a student with an adult to make occasional home visits. This activity would be a structured service learning activity Invite students to volunteer their time and talents in the service of the Church Invite youth to a non-denominational prayer meeting followed by a friendly social food fest Mission Priority #7: Vocations Purpose: To provide an atmosphere that supports men and women seeking discernment and entrance into various vocations. We hope to develop practical programming and activities that foster and promote priestly, religious and diaconal vocations. Vision: The call to a priestly, religious or diaconal vocation is not seen as a response to any particular shortage, regardless of how acute a shortage may or may not be. The call to a particular vocation comes from God. The clamor of the world to value personal 15
wealth, fame and self-gratification is a loud and deafening roar against the often quiet and sometimes subtle call to a ministerial vocation. We need to be a voice that proclaims and actively promotes the true gift God offers to both the community and the minister by living faithfully one's vocation. Past Accomplishments: Some young men have entered seminaries toward priestly ordination. We have published weekly ads promoting priest vocations. First Friday Tridentine Mass for vocations at St. Josaphat. Future Opportunities: Sponsor "vocation nights" where seminarians, priests, religious and deacons can explain their own particular call and mission. Encourage boys and young men to serve as altar servers, introducing them to public service at liturgies. Invite young girls to day retreats with religious from different orders. Sponsor an Information Evening for men interested in the Permanent Diaconate. 16