Pastoral Planning Criteria Continued (Sr. Janet, 2-19-12)
by C. Bourdow & Other Contributors on 02/18/12Last week, I outlined the four categories: Sacramental Life, Evangelization/Catechesis/Catholic Schools, Stewardship and Justice, and Effective Administration. I explained that there are several areas under each category which are rated: "going strong," "adequate," "needs improvement," or "let's begin." Last week I covered the first two categories. This week, I will outline the last two categories: Stewardship and Justice, and Effective Administration.
Stewardship and Justice asks us to consider whether we integrate social justice and stewardship into our catechetical programs, whether the parish has an active stewardship committee, whether parishioners volunteer their time to be involved in parish mission, whether parishioners use their talents for the building up of the Church and the world in light of the Reign of God, whether the parish has programs where all are expected to share their talents and insights such as activities for families, separated, divorced, single parents, widowed, etc. Is there an organized instruction in social teaching to discuss issues in light of Catholic Social Teaching. Does the parish have outreach programs to assist people who are poor or marginalized? Are parishioners trained to take part in advocacy at the state and local level especially in regard to all justice and all respect life issues? Are parishioners given the opportunity to understand on an on-going basis that stewardship has the power to shape and mold our understanding of our lives and the way in which we live? Are parishioners given the opportunity to learn about respecting and caring for all creation as well as human life at all stages from conception to natural death? Are parishioners encouraged to see their work as a way to prepare for the reign of God on earth? Do parishioners understand that they have gifts from God to use in building up the Church through sharing their talents?
Effective Administration – Do the staff and councils pray together? Does Pastoral Leadership encourage the fullest possible collaboration of clergy, religious, and laity in their common mission? Does the Council reflect the particular population of the parish? Is the Pastoral Staff trained and well qualified to provide the service they are hired to do and the staff receives on-going education and formation? Does the Council receive on-going formation? Does the Parish pastoral council evaluate and respond to the needs of the parish? Does the parish have a well operating finance council with a financial plan in place? Is the parish able to pay its debts within a reasonable time? Has the parish met its diocesan financial obligations? Is the parish overly dependent upon special fundraising activities? Are parish priorities reflected in financial decisions? Does the parish ensure proper fiscal administration, business management, and maintenance? Is the focus of the Finance Council on stewardship of resources in both managing costs and developing revenue? In its planning, does the parish take into account the diminished number of priests? Is the parish supporting a pastor or sacramental minister and not making unreasonable demands on him for his time and for sacramental ministry? Is the parish studying the parish models for the future working generously with its cohort to suggest a model which takes into account the diminished number of priests, even if this means it might consolidate with another parish? Is the parish training or hiring lay people to help with some of the parish services and activities including business management and administration? Is the parish taking into account its geographic proximity to other parishes and its Mass attendance when it plans for the future? Has the parish shared pastoral programs with near by parishes? Has the parish shared liturgies with neighboring parishes? Has the parish worked to jointly schedule weekend Masses with neighboring parishes? Do parishioners share programs and festivals which bring them socially together? Do parishioners and parish leaders examine geographic distances as they plan for the future? Has the parish hired well qualified professional staff to carry out its mission in all aspects of pastoral care? Are non-paid people well trained to be successful providers of services in the parish? Does the parish have adequate space for offices, liturgy, meeting areas for various size groups, catechesis, parish gatherings and needed places for other ministries and forms of pastoral care? Have the parish buildings been evaluated by qualified engineers and deemed to be structurally sound now and in the foreseeable future and are handicapped accessible? Are the parish grounds and buildings well maintained and is there a plan in place for on-going maintenance "replacements" ? As you can see, there is a lot to consider when we review the criteria for evaluating the parish.
Blessings,
Sr. Janet
Pastoral Planning and the Core Team (Sr. Janet, 02-12-12)
by C. Bourdow & Other Contributors on 02/16/12
I thought it might be helpful to understand the criteria and method of evaluating the categories. We are working with a grid system to rank various aspects of each category as either: "going strong," "adequate," "needs help," or "let's begin."
For example, under the category of Sacramental Life, we rate the prayerfulness and faithfulness to following liturgical law and diocesan directives, whether homilies relate to the people, whether sacramental ministers are prepared, whether the people have been prepared for the changes in the New Roman Missal, and how parents are prepared and involved in sacramental programs for families. We look at how available the sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick are, whether we have an RCIA program, various devotional opportunities, and how well funerals are celebrated. Next, we look at how well our liturgical ministers are trained and offered opportunities for enrichment. This includes ministers of hospitality/greeters who distribute the worship aids, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Eucharist, sacristans, and those who care for the environment or decorations of the church. Music ministry is also evaluated.
The second category is Evangelization which includes catechesis, Catholic Schools and Vocation Awareness. In this category, we look at whether the Parish Council and Finance are conscious of helping to evangelize according to Church Teachings. We look at how well our parish encourages racial and ethnic harmony and welcomes newcomers. Whether we make an effort to reach out to the alienated, inactive or those who are unchurched. The parish has the task of spreading the Gospel message in all aspects of parish life. The catechetical program should provide opportunities for all age levels to learn about their faith. We look at whether adequate funds, space and staff as well as opportunities for on going formation are available. Catechetical programs are rooted in the teachings of the Church and evaluated for conformity to the Catholic Catechism. We are asked whether we support Catholic Schools and about the quality of the school program, teachers, and values as well as parental involvement. Finally, we are asked to look at what we do to encourage vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and lay ministry.
Next week, I will share some of the details regarding the categories of Stewardship and Justice and Effective Administration.
An Advent Reflection For Parents (Download From YouTube.com, by C. Bourdow, 12-16-11)
by C. Bourdow & Other Contributors on 12/16/11
As a parent, I was touched by the following video. It made me reflect on my own parenting approach, and how sometimes, maybe "Mother doesn't know best..."; maybe it's best to just let go and let God work his plan. Watch the video to see what I mean...
May you and yours have a joyous Christmas season.
We Are All Equal Before God (Sr. Janet, 10-30-11)
by C. Bourdow & Other Contributors on 11/01/11Scripture Today--While today's readings seem to focus on our preachers or priests, we need to remember that we also share in the royal priesthood of Christ through our Baptism. We too must not only be faithful to the teachings of our faith in what we speak but also in what we do. We too must be open to the pastoral needs of those we meet and offer them compassion and understanding as we strive to lead them to follow the teachings of Jesus and His Church. We too must not seek places of honor and privilege, but rather we must seek to serve with great humility. If you listen to some conversations, you will hear folks talk about how some people seem to have an attitude of entitlement. Certainly, everyone deserves respect, but entitlement is not the attitude of a true Christian. All we have is a gift from God. Without God, we are all nothing. Because we are all children of God, we are special, but no one is better or more entitled to privilege than the next person. We are all equal before God. Blessings! Sr. Janet
Growing Older Gracefully Book Discussion Allows Reflection (Sr. Janet, 10-30-11)
by C. Bourdow & Other Contributors on 11/01/11
Growing Older Gracefully--For those who are wondering what we are reading and discussing, I thought I would share a little. Joan Chittister offers us a chance to reflect upon how it feels to retire, to no long have an important position of authority or deadlines to meet. The author invites us to acknowledge regrets and learn from some and apologize as needed, but also to realize that our choices have brought us to this place in life. We have learned and grown from all our choices. The gift of these years is a blessing for we may choose how to spend our time whether helping others or developing talents or interests that we did not have time for in the past. We may enjoy the beautiful world around us and truly contemplate all that God has made for us to love and take care of. We can become advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. We can foster relationships with friends and family members. We may help with grandchildren or elderly parents or neighbors. We can create our own "bucket list" and see what we can accomplish until God takes us home. Every day is a gift from God. How will you use it? Accept it? Bless it?
