Mary, Star of the Sea Parish PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Parish Mission Statement Mary, Star of The Sea Parish is to give love, direction and support to all members of our community as we seek ways to follow Christ in our quest for eternal life. The Parish believes that it must evangelize, exclude none, communicate openly, show compassion and mercy to all, and follow Mary, our Star (hoku) as she leads us in our mission. School Mission Statement Mary, Star of the Sea School seeks to provide a quality education in a Catholic environment and to impact life-long Christian values. Early Learning Center Mission Statement Mary, Star of the Sea Early Learning Center (ELC) seeks to provide a quality Catholic Montessori education for children from the ages two through six. Its purpose is to educate the whole child spiritually, personally, physically, and intellectually. 2 P A R I S H P A S T O R A L P L A N 2 0 1 7-2 0 2 1
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR My Dear Parishioners, It is with great joy that I commend to your attention the 2017-2021 Mary, Star of the Sea Parish Pastoral Plan. May I kindly ask you to use it as a tool for discernment, direction, and guidepost to the future. As a community of faith, we are called to look into our future so that the identity of Mary, Star of the Sea is solidified and bolstered against the backdrop of being one of the local churches of the Diocese of Honolulu. This plan is intended to chart our journey for the next five years, as we continue building the Kingdom of God here in our Parish. This is the mission entrusted to us; with the strength from our Eucharistic Lord and prayers of our Blessed Mother, we will faithfully pursue it the best we can. Thus, we witness to the fact that our Parish is a living, thriving, and breathing Catholic community of faith and love on the move. With the close collaboration of all of us, clergy and laity, we will appropriate the ideals set by the Good News of Jesus, our Lord, as guided by the teachings of the Church. Over the past two years, the Parish lay leaders dutifully crafted this strategic plan under my direction as mandated by the Diocese of Honolulu. Recently, I approved a summary of the plan with the full support of and in collaboration with the Pastoral Council and ministry leaders. I thank those who were involved in sharing their God-given gifts, talents, time, and treasures in completing this plan. In order to be successful, the implementation of this plan requires the involvement of all of you. As you review our plan, look upon it as a grace-filled opportunity to engage yourselves anew in the future of our Parish. I hope and pray that you respond generously and enthusiastically in the spirit of Christian stewardship. Your active participation to realize this plan is a concrete expression of your baptismal commitment. Looking back to the beginning of the strategic planning process, I have seen a great deal of progress as Mary, Star of the Sea clarified its own mission about the kind of Parish we want to be in the 21 st century. We are indebted to the clergy, religious, and lay ministers and leaders, from the past and present, in both church and schools for the many, many months of hard work. Their commitment and efforts have borne fruits. We are now beneficiaries of their love for God and our Parish. On your behalf, I deeply thank them. In the midst of complex issues in our society and the evils that will not stop hindering our efforts, let us continue to work boldly, with faith-filled determination to realize our pastoral plan. In Jesus, Our Bread of Life, Fr. Francisco C. de los Reyes, SSS Pastor PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 3
INTRODUCTION Commencing in the fall of 2014, a diverse group of parishioners and school representatives began the Parish Pastoral Planning process, led by a facilitator from the Diocese of Honolulu. With the Holy Spirit as their guide, the team gathered together in small and large group discussions and engaged in the process of information gathering and reflection. The team s task was to develop a Parish Pastoral Plan intended to guide the Parish over the next five years (2017-2021). A consensus was reached that there are four areas of priorities: Faith Formation, Strengthening Marriage and Family, Youth and Young Adults, and Leadership. The team was then divided into four focus groups; each team was assigned one of the priorities. The work of each focus group began by identifying broad-based goals, then narrowing them down to specific objectives, action steps, and desired outcomes. Each group refined their ideas and all were combined to create the five-year Pastoral Parish Plan. This plan is the result of a strong collective effort by many dedicated lay ministers, clergy, and school representatives who tirelessly invested numerous long hours in the process. The hope is that this plan will be embraced and implemented by all parishioners and school representatives to make this great Parish of ours even "greater." 4 PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021
FAITH FORMATION "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19) Goal: To build a faith community called by God to live and implement the Parish and Schools' Mission statements in their daily lives. (See Mission Statements) Objective I - To strengthen, grow and enrich the worship life of our Parish and Schools. Increase our knowledge and appreciation of the Liturgy as an essential tool for evangelization by incorporating a periodic program of Teaching Masses. Enhance formation opportunities for liturgical ministers. Continue to develop a varied music ministry that reaches all generations. Broaden our exposure to various forms of prayer and how prayer can enrich our spiritual lives. Focus on cultivating a climate of hospitality on the Lord's Day to permeate every facet of Parish life, including an active Chinese Ministry. Desired Outcome Greater knowledge and love of our Catholic faith; increased attendance at Eucharistic celebrations and reception of the sacraments; parishioners and schools feeling spiritually fulfilled, thus fostering greater involvement and participation in Parish life. PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 5
FAITH FORMATION Objective II - To create engaging Faith Formation opportunities for parishioners and students of all ages. Strengthen and support all who teach the Catholic faith. Conduct needs assessments for all ages within the Parish and Schools. Establish inter-generational faith sharing activities in our Parish and Schools. Expand Bible studies, Catechism education, and faith sharing groups as aids to evangelization opportunities. Offer spiritual renewal opportunities that deepen people's experience of God in their lives. Promote participation in Faith Formation events from the Diocese and neighboring parishes and schools. Desired Outcome Living and participating actively in the life and mission of the Parish, Schools and Diocese, will effectively equip all to be stewards of the Gospel in all venues of Faith Formation. Objective III - To reach out as a more visible and welcoming presence in the community. Provide opportunities for parishioners and schools to know one another more deeply. Expand our Parish and School family in all generations. Host community-wide events while focusing on increased participation., i.e., sports events, social interactive events, etc. Attract a more diverse community and engage our interfaith brothers and sisters. 6 PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021
FAITH FORMATION Provide opportunities to learn about other religions, to respect the diversity of faith traditions, and accurately represent our Catholic beliefs by creating an Apologetics team. Desired Outcome Strengthen our own faith as well as encourage and involve newcomers and all God s people as we seek to live the Gospel. Objective IV - To serve Christ by serving others and promoting peace and justice. Reach out in service to those in our community who are facing hardships or moments of crises. Recruit parishioners, teachers, and students for service opportunities that draw upon their interests, gifts, and talents. Seek opportunities to educate ourselves about contemporary social issues (e.g., respect life, human trafficking, substance abuse, homelessness and hunger, mental health, etc.) Increase participation in community service projects where our Parish and Schools can be most effective. Identify people and organizations within our Parish and Schools to work for peace and justice. Desired Outcome Inspire all to action in furtherance of Parish, Schools and community evangelization, and promote a missionary spirit that prepares the faithful to be present as Christians in society. PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 7
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OF CLERGY AND LAITY As you go make this proclamation: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. (Matthew 10:7-8) Goal: To develop and nourish present and future leaders for the building up of our local church and society at large. Objective I - To maintain balance and commitment from leaders in their personal lives in order to be effective in the Parish and community. Leaders will develop and sustain momentum by frequent, regular reception of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Leaders will attend a designated Mass every two months, followed by a leadership meeting enabling continued support and development of our Parish. Desired Outcome Committed stewards using their gifts and talents and treasures in the Parish and in the community. Objective II - Identify potential individuals who will sustain our goals in ministries to build a Eucharistic community based on righteousness and love. List of potential leaders identified by heads of ministries and by clergy. Distribute survey of interest and commitment cards among Parishioner. Desired Outcome Increased participation of leaders from different age groups. 8 PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021
STRENGTHENING OF MARRIAGE And the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one. (Mark 10:8) Goal: To minister to the needs of couples in whatever stages they are in their marital life, by helping them to live a fruitful and happy married life and fulfill their God-given vocation to married life with love, courage and perseverance. Objective I - Promote and raise a level of awareness of the sanctity of marriage by providing periodic opportunities for ongoing growth and development of the marital relationship through enrichment, fellowship, support, and spiritual formation for married couples of all ages and stages. Sponsor marriage day celebration on the 2nd Sunday of February on a yearly basis. Organize enrichment opportunities through workshops on marriage, financial planning, and natural family planning. Distribute in different forms of media to convey the beauty of Catholic teachings on marriage, family, and sexuality. Host social events for married couples on a monthly basis. Host Date Night for Couples on a quarterly basis. Publish wedding anniversaries in the Sunday s Bulletin. Publish names of engaged couples in the Sunday s Bulletin. Feature in the Sunday s Bulletin stories of enduring love and struggles of married couples. PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 9
STRENGTHENING OF MARRIAGE Desired Outcomes God becomes the center of marriages. Increased awareness or level of understanding of their marriage as a vocation. Increased involvement of couples in different ministries. Objective II - Establish outreach program that provides spiritual and emotional support to married couples. Action Establish Retrouvaille Program (A Lifeline for Marriages) to help couples heal and renew their marriages. Desired Outcomes Heal troubled relationships and reawaken their love, trust and commitment that originally brought them together. Save marriages in crisis, even bringing reconciliation to couples who have already separated and divorced. Objective III - Establish a marriage convalidation program for couples seeking to be married in the Catholic Church. Establish an outreach for couples seeking to be married in the Catholic Church. Provide assistance in seeking dispensations and permissions by working with the Diocesan Tribunal & Canonical affairs. Desired Outcomes Couples will be in full communion with the Catholic Church. Increased number of wedding celebrations in our Parish. 10 PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021
STRENGTHENING OF MARRIAGE Objective IV - Become a community that heals and provides hope for families who suffered from separation. Action Facilitate a program called Divorce Recovery, a 12-part program designed to bring healing and hope to divorced and separated Catholics. Desired Outcomes This program will encourage our lapsed parishioners due to divorce or separation to return to our Catholic faith. Program will provide support and spiritual guidance to single parents. PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 11
STRENGTHENING OF FAMILY Goal: To help and form families to grow in the faith and in the love of God, and in understanding of what it means to be the domestic church. As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live. (Saint John Paul II) Objective I To encourage families in all their many forms, to grow and be formed in keeping the Gospel values, and then to act upon those principles. Activate family members by inviting them to participate and share their gifts in the various ministries of our church. Designate a Family Mass on a monthly basis. Organize devotional events for families in conjunction with the liturgical seasons. Host family events and activities on a quarterly basis. Sponsor a yearly family day celebration. Organize fund raising by families incorporating the corporal works of mercy. Form and develop those who will minister to the families. Become a member of National Association of Catholic Ministers, a worldwide organization that provides education, training, enrichment and resources for family ministers. Develop instructional framework for families to engage them to attend workshops, conferences, retreats, etc. Use different forms of media to promote and educate parishioners on the sacredness of family life. 12 PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021
STRENGTHENING OF FAMILY Desired Outcomes God becomes the center of every family life. Families become the life of all ministries. Increased participation of families in faith formation activities. Increased number of Catholic youth attending Mary, Star of the Sea Elementary and Middle schools. Increased interests in religious vocations. Increased formation of deacons in our Parish. PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 13
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) Goal: Our Parish goal is to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community; to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person and to empower our young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today. Objectives To offer youth and young adults opportunities to experience the larger church communities as members of the Body of Christ. To provide a youth-friendly Parish. To offer leadership development to young people to gain skills to make the most of their Godgiven talents for the service of the community. To provide pastoral care to the needs of young people. To nurture commitment to service and justice involvement. To increase young people s knowledge of the core content of the Catholic faith. To incorporate young people more fully into the sacramental life of the Church, especially the Eucharist. 14 PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY Train adults, and youth & young adult leaders. Offer regular youth and young adult ministry gatherings and Bible study. Create opportunities and invite young people to serve in social justice ministries. Invite young people to share their gifts with Parish ministries. Arrange and plan a youth friendly space to gather. Invite young people to serve side-by-side with adult leaders within the Parish. Offer opportunities for prayer and worship. Utilize renewed catechesis such as YOUCAT, Life Teen, and EDGE. Work with leaders to provide a compassionate presence in the caring for young people. Promote youth and young adult programs through church announcements and bulletin, and building relationships with young people and families within the Parish. Desired Outcomes Increased participation of young people in the life mission and work of the Catholic Faith Community. Increased leadership roles for young people in the Parish. Young people will be empowered to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. Visible youth-friendly Parish. PARISH PASTORAL PLAN 2017-2021 15
SUMMARY All of us; clergy, religious, lay leaders, teachers, staff and parishioners of our Parish and schools are gifted and graced by the Lord to put into action this Parish Pastoral Plan. It demands strong leadership, great cooperation, prayer, and discernment of the Holy Spirit on how to navigate this journey, with trust in God and in one another. The commitment to the Diocese's Vision must continually be communicated. In order to fulfill our Mission, it is recommended that leadership development become a priority at Mary, Star of the Sea, involving the broadest possible segments of the Parish. The current framework appears to be in place to achieve this. The Pastoral staff, the Parish and Finance Council, and lay ministers constitute the major leadership groups. As we closely collaborate, let us always seek the intercessions of Mary, the patroness of our Parish and St. Peter Julian Eymard, our second patron, that we be faithful in our commitment. Finally, we will create a process for ongoing assessment and monitoring of the implementation of the goals articulated herein. This monitoring system will help to develop the framework for continued revision of the strategic plan as the Parish evolves. MARY, STAR OF THE SEA PARISH 4470 Aliikoa Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96821 (808) 734-0396 www.staroftheseahonolulu.com 16 P A R I S H P A S T O R A L P L A N 2 0 1 7-2 0 2 1