St. Cecilia Parish 2017 Strategic Plan Revised: 20 Jan 2017
Mission Statement FORMED by the Word of God UNITED by the Holy Eucharist ENLIVENED by the Holy Spirit!
Our Values (Virtues) Charity Chastity Diligence Humility Kindness Patience Temperance
St. Cecilia Parish Vision As a Christ-centered community, we will be Welcoming Evangelizing Noticeably vibrant in our faith
SWOT Analysis Strengths Sacramental life & liturgy Eucharistic Adoration Faith formation Social justice Welcoming to new members Resources (physical & spiritual) Youth ministry Bereavement ministry School community Leadership (Pope, Archbishop) Opportunities Continued enhancement of Lay Leaders Collaboration w/larger faith community Ability to use technology to provide personal touch to all members Planned giving Emphasis on vocations for EVERYONE Ames is an innovative, destination community Broad appeal of the message of Mercy Quality Catholic resources (Formed.org) Weaknesses Coordination of communication (message consistency & planning) Focus on engaging parishioners Supporting parishioners in need Outreach globally Systematic lifelong faith formation Evangelization Recruitment of lay leadership Facilities space & varied condition Threats Moral values in society (secularism) impacting priorities Recruitment by other faith communities Priest shortage (access to sacraments) Decreasing Mass attendance Cultural pressure to marginalize religious expression Isolationism, disengagement and partisanship Rev. Jan. 2017
Top Level Objectives 1. Increase PARISHIONER REGISTRATION 2. Increase SACRAMENTAL PARTICIPATION 3. Increase MASS ATTENDANCE 4. Increase FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS 5. Establish a baseline for a composite PARISHIONER SURVEY score
Average Weekly Attendance (All Masses) Mass Counts 2500 Average weekly attendance at Mass (recorded at all Masses each October) Dropped 11:15 am Mass Added 5:00 pm Mass Fire at St. Tom s 2000 1951 1916 2007 1948 1911 1851 1749 1781 1813 1786 1761 1799 Counted during Mass 1500 1565 1562 1514 1533 1429 1321 1394 1000 500 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Strategies (1-3 years) 1. Promote stewardship as a way of life with the spiritual engagement of everyone's time, talent and treasure 2. Prepare ALL parishioners to be well-formed and active witnesses (apostles) of Catholic teaching 3. Identify, call and develop the laity to leadership within the parish 4. Call and strengthen vocations (single, married, religious and ordained)
Strategies (1-3 years) 5. Foster the development of an engaged parish community and family life (youth & parents) 6. Ensure facilities support and enhance parish ministries 7. Continued enhancement of Sunday assembly for Holy Mass
Initiatives Faith Formation 1. Provide faith sharing opportunities and resources for singles, families & family groups 2. Implement processes for recruiting, forming, placing & mentoring lay catechists* 3. Implement the catechetical plan for the lifelong faith formation needs of all parishioners 4. Strengthen the operations of the existing school and explore the potential for a K-12 school 5. Break down old perceptions and barriers; rebuild integration/collaboration among parish & school *Shared with Stewardship
Initiatives - Stewardship 1. Develop, implement, and annually review a parish stewardship plan with an emphasis on gratitude, time, talent and treasure 2. Develop a successful process for regularly approaching parishioners to ensure financial resources for lifelong faith formation and parish operations* 3. Implement processes for recruiting, forming, placing & mentoring lay catechists** 4. Create an ad hoc committee to explore a part-time staff position to coordinate communication strategy utilizing all media*** *Shared with Finance Committee **Led by Faith Formation *** Led by Pastoral Council
Initiatives Social Justice 1. Continue to educate Social Justice Committee members and parishioners on Catholic social justice teachings and activities 2. Develop an annual process for reassessing our local partners to support needs within the local community 3. Establish a system for parishioners to become aware of the financial needs of parishioners and to assist them
Initiatives Parish Life 1. Develop a life cycle map and identify underserved demographics within the parish 2. Provide structure and help new groups form if/when leaders step forward
Initiatives Finance 1. Develop a successful process for regularly approaching parishioners to ensure financial resources for lifelong faith formation and parish operations* 2. Develop a (5-year) plan to enhance or replace existing facilities 3. Improve communication between Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, Staff and the parish to provide transparent financial direction * Led by Stewardship Committee
Initiatives Liturgy 1. Research options to enhance the existing worship space in accordance with Built of Living Stones 2. Enhance parishioners understanding of full conscience and active participation of Holy Mass 3. Explore means of making the Liturgy accessible to those with special needs
Initiatives Pastoral Council 1. Continue to evaluate current programs against needs as identified by a parishioner survey & parishioner forum 2. Survey best practices of other parishes and evaluate as appropriate to our parish s core Catholic identify 3. Continue refinement of the plan and timeline for addressing facilities (space and maintenance) needs, including adding a columbarium 4. Create an ad hoc committee to explore a part-time staff position to coordinate communication strategy utilizing all media* *Shared with Stewardship Committee
Communication Plan Participating individuals should share the plan with their respective Committees Committees should provide feedback on the plan; suggest revisions if necessary Future CCC meeting should communicate the updated plan
Monthly Review Schedule Month Committee March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 August 2017 September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 Stewardship Parish Life Liturgy Finance Pastoral Council Faith Formation Social Justice Stewardship