Evangelization (2005-2007 goals)

• Full focus group including representatives from each parish
• Coordinated Lenten program – planned for Lent 2007
• Other educational efforts to highlight the evangelizing dimension of the Sunday Eucharist, the power of God’s Word in worship, and our recognition of Christ’s presence in the sacraments; help Catholics develop a spirituality for the workplace
• Share ideas and information on how our parishes create small group experiences of prayer and study and how we foster a greater sense of our homes as domestic churches

Outreach to Young Adults

• Focus group facilitating the following:
• Parish-based emphasis on particular segment of young adult population
• Theology on Tap
• By June 2006 ascertain what would constitute an effective young adult ministry in the planning group

Ministry Plan for Seniors/the Homebound

• Review and revise report on pastoral care in senior facilities (2006)
• Determine ministerial needs for seniors/homebound, how they are being met and what gaps exist
• Pastoral care staff and key volunteers from all parishes meet regularly to share information, explore ways to be supportive of one another, and assess needs existing within the community

Support for Vulnerable and Marginalized Rural and Urban Parishes and Individuals

• No new work needs to be done until fall 2007

Youth Ministry

• Identify possible areas of collaboration—in particular, explore working together to host monthly or bi-monthly Sunday evening evangelizing Mass directed particularly to youth and their families

Communications

• Set up communications task force
• Continue regular communications
• Consider wider and more effective use of advertising and web sites
• Assess what is presently being done within the planning group and develop recommendations on how to bring all individual parishes up to speed (by July 2006 in plan)
• Develop planning group web site with copies of parish bulletins and online calendar (by January 2006 in plan)
• Consider and, where feasible, implement suggested improvements in shared communications:  e.g. coordinated Mass schedule for Holy Days, regular (monthly or seasonal) calendar of activities open to parishioners of all parishes, more effective use of Greece Post in advertising our events (by July 2006 in plan)
• Begin monthly, bimonthly or quarterly planning group newsletter (by January 2007 in plan)

Finances

• Form a finance focus team to develop a program to increase parish incomes via wills and bequests (no date attached in plan)

Collaboration

• Staff and key volunteers of all parishes begin meeting together regularly with their counterparts (by January 2006 in plan):

o       Pastoral leaders -- quarterly

o       Ministry staff and key volunteers – pastoral associates, parish visitors, Stephen Ministry coordinators – at least twice a year

o       Faith formation/catechetical staff  – Directors Religious Education(DRE’s), coordinators, administrators, youth ministers, adult faith formation ministers – at least twice a year

o       Administrative/support staff – business managers, office managers, maintenance supervisors – at least once per year