PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS IN THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON RESOURCE MANUAL July 25, 2006 PART II

1 2 3 4 5 6 PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILS IN THE DIOCESE OF SCRANTON RESOURCE MANUAL July 25, 2006 7 8 9 PART II 10 11 12 1

13 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 I. Parish Mission Statement and Parish Pastoral Plan A. Introduction B. Developing a Parish Mission Statement 23 24 25 2

26 I. PARISH MISSION STATEMENT 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 A. INTRODUCTION Reflection of Christian Joy In the Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete in Domino, Pope Paul VI wrote of the importance of Christian Joy. When working for the renewal of a parish and pastoral planning, some of his words help form an attitude and an outlook that will not only assist in drafting a parish mission statement but also those continuing efforts for a parish to deepen the awareness of the parish mission: Beloved brethren and sons and daughters, is it not normal that joy should dwell in us, when our hearts contemplate or rediscover, in faith, the fundamental and simple reasons for joy? God has so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; through His Spirit, God's presence does not cease to enfold us with His tenderness and to fill us with His life; and we are journeying towards the blessed transfiguration of our life in the path of the resurrection of Jesus. Yes, it would be very strange if this Good News, which evokes the alleluia of the Church, did not give us the look of those who are saved. The joy of being Christian, of being united with the Church, of being in Christ, and in the state of grace with God, is truly able to fill the human heart. Joy always springs from a certain outlook on man and on God. When your eye is sound, your whole body too is filled with light. (78) We are touching here on the original and inalienable dimension of the human person: his vocation to happiness always passes through the channels of knowledge and love, of contemplation and action. May you attain this good quality which is in your brother's soul, and this divine presence so close to the human heart! Let the agitated members of various groups therefore reject the excesses of systematic and destructive criticism! Without departing from a realistic viewpoint, let Christian communities become centers of optimism where all the members resolutely endeavor to perceive the positive aspect of people and events. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. (79) The attainment of such an outlook is not just a matter of psychology. It is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit, who dwells fully in the person of Jesus, made Him during His earthly life so alert to the joys of daily life, so tactful and persuasive for putting sinners back on the road to a new youthfulness of heart and mind! It is this same Spirit who animated the Blessed Virgin and each of the saints. It is this same Spirit who still today gives to so many Christians the joy of living day by day their particular vocation, in the peace and hope which surpass setbacks and sufferings. It is the Spirit of Pentecost who today leads very many followers of Christ along the paths of prayer, in the cheerfulness of filial praise, towards the humble and joyous service of the disinherited and of those on the margins of society. For joy cannot be dissociated from sharing. In God Himself, all is joy because all is giving. This positive outlook on people and things, the fruit of an enlightened human spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit, finds in Christians a privileged place of replenishment: the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. In His passion, death and resurrection, Christ summarizes the history of each man and of all men, with their weight of sufferings and sins, with their capacities for progress 3

73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 and holiness. This is why our last word in this exhortation is a pressing appeal to all the leaders and animators of the Christian communities: let them not be afraid to insist time and time again on the need for baptized Christians to be faithful to the Sunday celebration, in joy, of the Eucharist. (Gaudete in Domino Conclusion) This exhortation to joy calls forth an attitude and perspective that is important in the conduct of parish pastoral councils, in the life of the parish and in the life of each of the parishioners. Reflection of the Spirituality of Communion Pope John Paul II noted in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte,the importance of developing a spirituality of communion before acting and also issued a caution: Let us have no illusions: unless we follow this spiritual path, external structures of communion will serve very little purpose. They would become mechanisms without a soul, 'masks of communion rather than its means of expression and growth. But what does this mean in practice? Here too, our thoughts could run immediately to the action to be undertaken, but that would not be the right impulse to follow. Before making practical plans, we need to promote a spirituality of communion, making it the guiding principle of education wherever individuals and Christians are formed, wherever ministers of the altar, consecrated persons, and pastoral workers are trained, wherever families and communities are being built up. Our Holy Father also makes the following point deserving of our reflection: A spirituality of communion indicates above all the heart's contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us. A spirituality of communion also means an ability to think of our brothers and sisters in faith within the profound unity of the Mystical Body, and therefore as those who are a part of me. This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires an A spirituality of communion implies also the ability to see what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift from God: not only as a gift for the brother or sister who has received it directly, but also as a gift for me. A spirituality of communion means, finally, to know how to make room for our brothers and sisters, bearing each other's burdens (Gal 6:2) and resisting the selfish temptations which constantly beset us and provoke competition, careerism, distrust and jealousy. [Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte (At the Close of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000), #43] 4

115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 B. DEVELOPING A PARISH MISSION STATEMENT One of the first tasks a Parish Pastoral Council is asked to do is to develop a Mission Statement. A Parish Mission Statement is a concise expression of a parish s purpose for existence. It helps the parish identify itself as a community of faith and set broad goals. It responds to the questions: Who are we as a parish? What do we do? What is God calling us to as a parish community? How are we adapting the Diocesan Mission Statement to our parish? What are our spiritual, human, financial resources, etc.? Our diocesan mission statement can help parishes develop a parish mission statement that includes promoting vocations to the diocesan priesthood, developing a vocation culture and encouraging pastoral planning and pastoral self-study for the new evangelization of persons and culture. In sections 19 to 29 of Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict reflects on the same passage of the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:42-47) that inspired our diocesan mission statement. It will be most helpful to read this section of the encyclical as preparation for work on a parish mission statement. The pope identifies two salient facts: the threefold responsibility of the church in proclaiming the Word of God; celebrating the sacraments and exercising the ministry of charity. He notes that the parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that we are called to universal love for everyone we meet, without neglecting members of the Church. As an initial element of pastoral planning, the Mission Statement is to be inspirational, motivational and give overall direction for parish life activities. It explains the reasons why a parish exists with words that are simple, clear, and meaningful to the people of the parish. It is meant to be understood and used by the parish community as it strives to be faithful to the mission entrusted by Christ: Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all of creation (Mark 16:15). Developing a Parish Mission Statement and periodically reviewing and revising it is a function of a Parish Pastoral Council. Since this is the parish Mission Statement and because all parishioners are called to participate in the mission of the church, the parish should be involved in the development of the Mission Statement. This section of the Resource Manual suggests possible ways for developing and/or revising a Parish Mission Statement, as well as some suggestions for involving parish committees/organizations and parishioners in the process. When the Parish Mission Statement is finished, the Council continues the pastoral planning process by assessing the parish s strengths and needs through Parish self study and by setting broad goals and priorities which are rooted in the Mission Statement, by developing a Parish Evangelization plan. The Parish Pastoral Council s Coordinating Committee is responsible for deciding how the Mission Statement will be developed. Steps in the process include: 5

154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 Prayerful reflection/education/discussion on: Mission of Jesus and of the Church (see MEETING 1, p.7) Diocesan Mission Statement (see MEETING 2, p.9) Purpose of a parish (see MEETING 3, p.11) Who are we and what do we seek to become as a parish? (see MEETING 4, p.13) (See FULL DAY MEETING for an alternative to these 4 meetings, p. 20.) Review Draft Mission Statement (see MEETING 5, p.16) Existing Mission Statements (See Suggested Process for Parishes with Existing Mission Statements p.23) Consultation with Parish (see SUGGESTIONS FOR PARISH INVOLVEMENT, p. 25) Complete Mission Statement (see MEETING 6, p. 18) Promulgate and celebrate Mission Statement (see SUGGESTIONS FOR PARISH INVOLVEMENT, p.25) 6

183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 MEETING 1 Purpose of Meeting To reflect on and discuss the mission of Jesus and the Church Preparation for Meeting AGENDA a. Reflect on Luke 4:14-21 b. Read: Catholic Catechism: Article Nine I believe in the Holy Catholic Church. 1. Opening Prayer (20 minutes). Reflection/sharing on Luke 4:14-21 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray O God, you have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 209 210 211 212 213 214 2. Education/Formation of Council (20 minutes) 3. Break (15 minutes) 4. Discussion Read: Church as Communion (Resource Manual Part IIl, pp. 23-25). In small groups (20 minutes): Discuss what we understand the Mission of Jesus and the Church to be. 7

215 216 217 218 219 In the large group (30 minutes): Discuss what as a group we have come to understand about the mission of the Church. 5. Announcements (10 minutes). 6. Evaluation (5 minutes). 7. Closing Prayer. 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God Our Father in your care and wisdom you extend the Kingdom of Christ to embrace the world to give all men redemption. May the Catholic Church be a sign of our salvation, may it reveal for us the mystery of your love, and may that love become effective in our lives. Grant this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 8

231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 MEETING 2 Purpose of Meeting To reflect on and discuss the Diocesan Mission Statement Preparation for Meeting a. Reflect on Matthew 5:14-16 b. Read Mission Statement of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton (Resource Manual, Part I pp.2-3) c. Read Articles from Catholic Light on Mission Statement d. Read section on Church as Mission (Resource Manual, Part III. pp. 4-7) 240 241 242 243 AGENDA 1. Opening Prayer (20 minutes) Reflection/sharing on Matthew 5:14-16 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray O God, you have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 9

258 259 260 261 262 263 264 265 266 267 268 269 270 2. Education/Formation of Council (20 Minutes) Discuss what the Diocesan Mission Statement says to us about: Who are we as a Church? ( Communion) What is our mission as Church? ( Mission) How do we grow in unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity as a parish? 1. Break (15 minutes) 2. Discussion (50 minutes) What does our discussion on the Diocesan Mission Statement tell us about the mission of our parish community? 3. Announcements (10 minutes) 4. Evaluation (5 minutes) 5. Closing Prayer. 271 272 273 274 275 276 277 278 279 280 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God our Father, in all the churches scattered throughout the world, You show forth the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. Through the gospel and Eucharist bring your people together in The Holy Spirit and guide us in your love. Make us a sign of love for all people, and help us to show forth the living presence of Christ in the world, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, for ever and ever. Amen. 10

281 282 283 284 285 286 287 MEETING 3 Purpose of Meeting To reflect on and discuss the purpose of a parish Preparation for Meeting a. Reflect on Romans 12:3-8 b. Read: Meeting 3 - Selected readings in preparation for meeting (Resource Manual, Part III pp. 8-11) 288 289 290 291 AGENDA 1. Opening Prayer (20 minutes) Reflection/sharing on Romans 12:3-8 292 293 294 295 296 297 298 299 300 301 302 303 304 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray O God, you have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 305 306 307 308 2. Education/formation of members (20 minutes) a. From the readings, what are some of the characteristics or activities of a parish? b. How would you describe a parish to a person who asks you? 11

309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324 c. How does the mission of the parish consider the local culture and the mission of the diocese and universal church? d. How does the parish deepen the awareness of its unity with the diocese? What activities? e. How do the cooperation of a parish with neighboring parishes and the mission of the diocese express Catholicity? Communion? f. Why are attitudes and practices of congregationalism destructive of Catholicity? Communion? 3. Break (15 minutes) 4. Discussion In small groups (20 minutes): List significant aspects of a parish. In the large group (30 minutes): Identify the essential elements of a parish. 5. Announcements (10 minutes) 6. Evaluation (5 minutes) 5. Closing Prayer 325 326 327 328 329 330 331 332 333 334 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God our Father, you send the power of the gospel into the world as life-giving leaven. Fill with the spirit of Christ those whom you call to live in the midst of the world and its concerns; help them by their work on earth to build up your eternal kingdom. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. 12

335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350 351 352 MEETING 4 Purpose of Meeting To reflect on and discuss who we are and what we seek to become as a parish community with the mission of evangelization of persons and cultures, both internal and external. Preparation for Meeting a. Reflect on Acts 2:42-47 b. Reflect on the Three goals identified in Go Make Disciples Goal 1- To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others. Goal 2- To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation in Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic faith. Goal 3- To foster gospel values in our society, promoting the dignity of the human person, the importance of the family, and the common good of our society, so that our nation may continue to be transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ. c. Read Meeting 4, Vocations (Resource Manual, Part III, pp. 12 16) 353 354 355 356 AGENDA 1. Opening Prayer (20 minutes) Reflection/sharing on Acts 2:42-47 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. 13

364 365 366 367 368 369 Let us pray O God, you have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 2. Education/Formation of Council (30 minutes) Presentation on the parish including significant highlights of its history and heritage in general and in the light of the three goals identified by Go Make Disciples. (Source: parish history, oral history of members; Presenter: pastor, parish leaders or elders.) 3. Break (15 minutes) 4. Discussion In small groups (20 minutes): Respond to some of the following questions: How are we as a parish called to evangelize persons and culture? What are the challenges of our local community? How have we been understanding and accomplishing our mission? What has been effective? What needs to be developed? How through Word, Worship, Community, Witness and Service are we as a community of the Christian faithful, growing in unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity? How aware are our people of the various aspects of parish life? How aware are our societies, of the nature and mission of the parish? How do they support in the mission of the parish? How does our parish culture and history promote evangelization? What are the obstacles to evangelization internally and externally? (E.g. How is the phone answered by the parish staff? How does the parish relate to the community?) From discussion on the parish are there any blind spots or areas not mentioned in the discussion, but characteristics or aspects of parish life that are identified by Church documents? What are some characteristics or qualities that describe our local community culture? How does it provide a challenge for us? In the large group (30 minutes): 14

399 400 401 402 403 404 Identify and discuss common points and delegate a small group to prepare a draft mission statement in light of all the discussion in preparation for the fifth meeting. 1. Announcements (5 minutes) 2. Evaluation (5 minutes) 3. Closing Prayer 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Father, look with love on your people And pour out upon them the gifts of your Spirit. May they constantly grow in the love of truth. May they study and work together for perfect unity among Christians. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 15

429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 MEETING 5 Purpose of Meeting To review draft of Mission Statement Preparation for Meeting Reflect on I Corinthians 12:1-11 AGENDA 1. Opening Prayer (20 minutes) Reflection/sharing on I Corinthians 12:1-11 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray O God, you have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 450 451 452 453 2. Education/Formation of members (30 minutes) Read Meeting 5 Church as Communion (Resource Manual, Part III, pp. 17 25) 3. Break (15 minutes) 454 455 16

456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 4. Discussion In small groups (20 minutes): Discuss if this draft expresses our reflections and discussions on the mission of Jesus, the Universal Church, the Diocesan Mission Statement and the parish. How does the draft focus attention on the evangelizing mission of the parish both internally and externally? How does the draft promote a culture for vocations? In the large group (30 minutes): Get feedback from small groups; agree to any changes, modifications; plan how parish will be consulted. 5. Announcements (5 minutes) 6. Evaluation (5 minutes) 7. Closing Prayer 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God our Father, in your care and wisdom you extend the kingdom of Christ to embrace the world to give all men redemption. May the Catholic Church be the sign of our salvation. May it reveal for us the mystery of your love. And may that love become effective in our lives. Grant this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 483 484 485 486 487 17

488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 MEETING 6 Purpose of Meeting To come to consensus on Mission Statement Preparation for Meeting a. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 b. Review revised draft Mission Statement c. Read the sections on CONSENSUS (Resource Manual, p. 9) AGENDA 1. Opening Prayer (20 minutes) Reflection/sharing on I Corinthians 12:12-31 498 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle within them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray O God, you have instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit. Grant that through the same Holy Spirit we may always be truly wise and rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. 510 511 2. Education/Formation of members (15 minutes) Review what is meant by Consensus. 512 513 514 3. Discussion 18

515 516 517 518 519 520 521 522 523 524 525 526 527 In small groups (30 minutes) Discuss if the present statement expresses who we are and who we seek to become as a parish in words that are simple clear and meaningful to the people of the parish. Will the statement inspire, motivate and direct the life and activities of the parish? 4. Break (15 minutes) 5. Discussion In the large group (45 minutes) Come to consensus on the Parish Mission Statement. 6. Announcements (5 minutes) 7. Evaluation (5 minutes) 8. Closing Prayer (5 minutes) 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Almighty and eternal God, in Christ your Son, You have shown your glory to the world. Guide the work of the Church: help it to proclaim your name, to persevere in faith and to bring your salvation to people everywhere. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. 19

538 539 540 541 542 543 544 545 546 FULL DAY MEETING (Alternative to Meetings 1-4) Purpose of Meeting To reflect on and discuss: Mission of Jesus and of the Church Diocesan Mission Statement Purpose of a parish Who we are? What are we called to become as a parish community? One, holy, Catholic and apostolic. 547 548 549 550 551 552 Preparation for Meeting a. Reflect on Luke 4:14-21; Acts 2:42-47 b. Read Diocesan Mission Statement (Resource Manual, Handout 3) c. Read Catholic Catechism: I believe in the Holy Catholic Church d. Read and Reflect on three goals identified in Go Make disciples 553 554 555 556 557 558 559 560 561 562 563 564 565 AGENDA 1. Prayer (20 minutes) 2. Education/Formation of Council (40 minutes) 3. In small groups (30 minutes) Discuss what we understand the mission of Jesus and the Church to be. 4. Break (15 minutes) 5. In the large group (30 minutes): Brainstorm around What does the Diocesan Mission Statement say to us about who are we as a Church? (Communion) What does the Diocesan Mission Statement say to us about our mission as Church? (Mission) 566 20

567 568 569 570 571 572 573 574 575 576 577 578 579 580 581 582 583 584 585 586 587 588 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 598 599 600 601 How do we grow in unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity as a parish? 6 In small groups (30 minutes) Discuss what the Diocesan Mission Statement tells us about the mission of our parish community? 7. Lunch (60 minutes) 8. Prayer (10 minutes) 9. Identify the essential elements of a parish. (30 minutes) 10. Presentation on the parish including significant highlights of its history and heritage in general and in the light of the three goals identified by Go Make Disciples. (Source: parish history, oral history of members; Presenter: pastor, parish leaders or elders.) 11. Break (15 minutes) 12. Discussion In small groups (20 minutes): Respond to some of the following questions: How are we as a parish called to evangelize persons and culture? What are the challenges of our local community? How have we been understanding and accomplishing our mission? What has been effective? What needs to be developed? How through Word, Worship, Community, Witness and Service are we as a community of the Christian faithful, growing in unity, holiness, catholicity and apostolicity? How aware are our people of the various aspects of parish life? How aware are our societies, of the nature and mission of the parish? How do they support in the mission of the parish? How does our parish culture and history promote evangelization? What are the obstacles to evangelization internally and externally? (E.g. How is the phone answered by the parish staff? How does the parish relate to the community?) From discussion on the parish are there any blind spots or areas not mentioned in the discussion, but characteristics or aspects of parish life that are identified by Church documents? What are some characteristics or qualities that describe our local community culture? How does it provide a challenge for us? 21

602 603 604 605 606 In the large group (30 minutes): Identify and discuss common points and delegate a small group to prepare a draft mission statement in light of all the discussion. 13. Evaluation (10 minutes) 14. Closing Prayer 607 608 609 610 611 612 613 614 615 616 617 618 In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. God our Father, may your Church always be your holy people, united as you are with the Son and the Holy Spirit. May it be for all the world a sign of your unity and holiness, as it grows to perfection in your love. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 619 (Continue developing Mission Statement in preparation for the next meeting.) 22

620 621 622 SUGGESTED PROCESS FOR PERIODIC REVIEW AND REVISION OF EXISTING PARISH MISSION STATEMENTS 623 624 625 626 627 628 629 630 631 632 633 634 635 636 637 638 639 640 641 642 643 644 645 646 647 648 649 650 651 652 653 654 655 656 657 658 659 660 Periodically reviewing and revising the Parish Mission Statement is a function of a Parish Pastoral Council. The Parish Mission Statement develops out of an on-going faith formation process. 1. Review the Parish Mission Statement in light of the description given in the introduction to this section of the Resource Manual: The Parish Mission Statement is rooted in the mission of the universal church and the diocesan Mission Statement. It is a concise expression of a parish s understanding of its nature and mission. It helps parishes to understand the challenge of Pope John Paul II when he said: Parishes are the living organs of the one body of Christ, the one Church. They welcome and serve both the members of the local communities and all those who for any reason come there at a given moment. It helps the parish identify itself as a community of faith that finds the source and summit of its life and mission in the Eucharist and its primary mission to be the evangelization of persons and culture. It helps a parish to understand every aspect and activity of parish life in the light of its evangelizing mission. It responds to the questions: Who are we (Communion)? What are we to do (Mission)? How are we to do our mission and deepen our communion? As an initial element of pastoral planning, the Mission Statement is to be inspirational, motivational and give overall direction for parish activities. It explains the reasons why a parish exists with words that are simple, clear, and meaningful to the people of the parish. It is meant to be understood and used by the parish community as it strives to be faithful to the mission entrusted by Christ: Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all of creation (Mark 16:15). 2. Compare your existing Parish Mission Statement to the Diocesan Mission Statement, noting similarities and differences. For example: How does your existing Mission Statement express that through Baptism and Confirmation all members of the parish are called to exercise both their right and responsibility to participate in the life and mission of the Church? How does your existing Mission Statement express your parish s commitment to worship, creating and nurturing Christian community, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, teaching the saving message of Christ, and serving our sisters and brothers, particularly the poor and needy? 23

661 662 663 664 665 666 667 3. Decide what you will do through a consensus process and reflection. 4. Share what you have decided about the Parish Mission Statement with the various committees/organizations and parishioners. SUGGESTIONS FOR INVOLVING THE PARISH IN DEVELOPING THE MISSION STATEMENT 668 669 1. Education/Reflection/Discussion on: 670 671 672 673 674 675 676 677 678 a. Mission of Jesus and the Church b. Diocesan Mission Statement Purpose of a Parish: Who are we and what is God calling us be as an expression of the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, as a parish community? c. Parish Mission Statement Opportunities to do this include: i. Homilies 679 680 681 ii. iii. iv. Presentation/Discussion with Parish Committees/Organizations Bulletin inserts Adult Education Workshops 682 v. Parish Assemblies/Forums 1. 683 684 685 686 687 688 689 690 691 692 693 694 2. Consultation with the Parish about the Draft Mission Statement. Suggested ways to do this: a. Distributing copies of the Draft Mission Statement and ask parishioners after prayerful reflection to respond. A possible response could be by returning a form such as: -- For me, this Mission Statement reflects who we are as parish community and what we seek to become because.... -- I question the following elements of this statement because. b. Parish Committees/Organizations review Draft and return comments. c. Parish Assemblies/Forums held to review and discuss Draft. 3. 695 696 3. Proclaim and Celebrate the Parish Mission Statement. 697 24

698 a. Announce the Parish Mission Statement at Sunday Mass 699 b. Distribute the Parish Mission Statement to parishioners. 700 c. Ask parish committees/organizations to reflect on their purpose 701 in light of the Parish Mission Statement. 702 d. Submit a draft of your Parish Mission Statement to the Episcopal 703 Vicar for your pastoral region by October 30, 2007. 704 d. e. Frame the Parish Mission Statement and display it in a 705 prominent place. 706 f. Use the parish mission Statement to help assess the parish s 707 strengths and weaknesses through parish self study. 708 g. After the parish self study, use the Parish Mission statement to 709 develop a Parish evangelization plan. 710 711 712 REVISED March 2, 2007 25