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Parish Plan (Next Generation Parish)
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Update: A two page summary of our Pastoral Plan is available here, while the full Pastoral Plan can be viewed here. The plan was presented to the parish on October 2, 2022 when we also assembled teams to work on each of the parish priorities. If you would like to join one of the teams, please email brmagee@outlook.com. This is your chance to shape the future of our parish!
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Beginning in September 2021, a team of Saints Peter and Paul parishioners has worked with Msgr. Citino and Fr. Monica to draft a three-year strategic plan. With the assistance of the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), this “Envisioning Team” has assessed the strengths and opportunities of the parish using the Disciple Maker Index survey from 2018, sacramental data, a review of parish ministries, and the lived experiences of the team members. In addition to our priests, the Envisioning Team members were:
Carol Bove Brian Magee Laura Stevenson Joe Bracken Judy Magee Susan Stickley Kevin Fein Chris Pickell Carla Krieman Marty Roddy The data evaluated led to a review our parish mission statement and the development of a vision for our future, our core values, and current priorities to energize and build up our parish. The key components of our parish plan are outlined below.
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Our Mission
Our parish Mission Statement from 2019 was deemed to be still appropriate today so it was largely carried over with a slight modification. It now reads:
Our Mission: Be a community of spiritually maturing Catholics serving and leading people to Christ. -
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Our Vision
After much debate, prayer, and discussion, the Envisioning Team crafted the following Vision Statement to describe what we aspire to be as a parish.
Vision Statement: Saints Peter and Paul Parish is a welcoming and vibrant Catholic family of authentic disciples, unified in Jesus Christ, growing, engaging, and serving through uplifting liturgy, faith-based activities, and outreach. We boldly and courageously witness our faith.Each part of this statement highlights an identifying characteristic that we want to develop further as a parish – welcoming, vibrant, authentic, etc. Can you see yourself in some part of this vision statement?
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As part of the Next Generation Parish process, we were commissioned to develop the top three parish values – enduring beliefs that guide our behaviors, decisions, and actions as a parish. Many potential values were discussed. The three judged to best describe our parish were Faith, Generosity, and Community.
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Faith
Definition: Our faith is our personal relationship with the Lord and our strength for the journey.
Examples of ways we will live out this value are:- We will encourage a prayerful family life within the home.
- We will prioritize individual prayer to grow in faith, love, and discipleship.
- We will attend and participate fully at Mass, adoration, and other opportunities for worship, understanding that these practices bring us closer to Jesus.
- We will value faith formation throughout all stages of life and the advancing of each individual in the spiritual life.
- We will seek opportunities to share stories that courageously witness our personal relationship with Jesus.
- We will encourage a mindset of discipleship through Christ-like leadership.
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Generosity
Definition: Generosity is sharing one’s gifts, talents, and resources with others without expecting anything in return.
Examples of ways we will live out this value are:- We will encourage parishioners to volunteer their time and to donate “basic needs” items in support of our parish service ministries and outreach programs.
- We will encourage parishioners to offer their practical expertise to help the parish with such important needs as maintenance of the buildings, adherence to township regulations, keeping up with technology, etc.
- We will encourage parishioners to serve in our liturgical ministries and share their musical talents with the parish community.
- We support the needs of less fortunate people outside our parish through our poor box, second collections, and other charitable efforts.
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Community
Definition: We are a welcoming parish where members feel a sense of belonging and connection to each other and to the community.
Examples of ways we will live out this value are:- We will make everyone feel welcome with a friendly greeting at Mass and other parish functions.
- We will strive for unity as we connect church, school, and religious education.
- We will build and nurture meaningful relationships among our parishioners by encouraging involvement in parish activities and ministries.
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Based on the parish vision and values, what should be our focus areas for the next three years? The team agreed upon four parish priorities as outlined below.
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Developing Personal and Communal Holiness
As disciples of Christ, we strive individually to learn and grow in faith and holiness, while encouraging each other to strengthen our personal relationships with God. Our response to God’s call to holiness is important because the Church exists to guide others to maturity in their relationships with Christ. Also, our authentic holiness will attract others to follow Jesus with us.
When we succeed in developing personal and communal holiness:- More parishioners have personally encountered Jesus Christ and are growing as a disciple.
- More people are involved in various faith formation activities at the parish.
- Vocations come forth from our parish for the priesthood, deaconate, or religious life.
Fostering Relationships to Develop a Community of Authentic Disciples
We want to be a welcoming parish unified in Christ. Our fellowship with and support for others raises us to a level of spirituality we cannot reach alone, so we need to help each other on this journey. Also, a sense of belonging and community is essential for attracting new disciples and keeping them engaged in the life of our parish.
When we succeed in fostering relationships to develop a community of authentic disciples:- More parishioners feel welcomed, connected and accepted in an authentic Catholic community.
- We increase fellowship opportunities as a part of our program offerings.
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Celebrating Uplifting and Meaningful Liturgies
The Catholic Mass expresses beauty and appeals to the senses. It inspires full and active participation. Through visible signs (i.e., music, incense, holy water, candles, etc.), the liturgy seeks to lead people to greater awareness of the invisible reality that is present at Mass.
When we succeed in increasing personal outreach experiences:- More parishioners believe that they grow spiritually from our vibrant and engaging Sunday Mass experience.
- Our weekend Mass attendance increases from pre-Covid levels.
Increasing Personal Outreach Experiences
Our parish has been very generous in providing financial support to various charities through our poor box and other campaigns. With this priority, we want to create more opportunities for our parishioners to personally connect with people and groups supported by our outreach programs. This priority is faith in action for our parish. Our community outreach is the fruit we bear as a parish.
When we succeed in increasing personal outreach experiences:- More parishioners are participating in our outreach ministry.
- We highlight and share outreach experiences/witnessing of faith, attracting others to participate.
- We increase the relationships and connections our parish has with the broader community.
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