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Serving God’s People

Serving God’s People. St. Peter Claver Parish Town Hall Meeting. October 2010. Opening Prayer. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Amen.

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Serving God’s People

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  1. Serving God’s People

  2. St. Peter Claver ParishTown Hall Meeting October 2010

  3. Opening Prayer Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and you will renew the face of the earth. Amen

  4. Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Overview of SGP • Parish Profile & Parish Survey Results – Discussion of Findings • Table Discussions • Next Steps and Closing Prayer

  5. SGP Parish Leadership Team • Fr. Hugh Chikawe • Dale Brown, Chair • Gerri Drummond, Secretary • Fred Braithwaite • Loette Cupid • TJ Nellum • Molbert Scrivens • Wilma Warren

  6. Overview of SGP • Bishop Lynch charged the Vicar General at the beginning of 2008 to initiate a process that will increase the vitality of parish life and the quality of ministries throughout the diocese at the local faith community level. • Rationale: • Declining number of priests available to serve • Shifting in local demographics • Stewardship challenges of available resources

  7. SGP Process • Parish Leadership Teams • Collect Information • Parish Profile, Parish Survey, Town Hall Meetings • Consolidate • Parish Cluster Teams • Review parish information • Draft recommendations • Diocesan Commission • Review recommendations • Make final decisions

  8. Time Frame • Parish Leadership Teams • Summer 2010 until November 2011 • Parish Cluster Teams • October 2010 until February 2011 • Diocesan Steering Committee • December 2010 until May 2011

  9. Serving God’s People: Assumptions

  10. Inherent Assumptions to SGP: • The Paschal Mystery is both central to our faith and to this planning process, where changes in parishes structures are potential examples of the life-death-resurrection mystery. • Parishes do not exist for themselves, but as a presence of Christ and the Church to the local area.

  11. Inherent Assumptions to SGP: • The vision of Church must be larger than one’s own local community. People must be helped to think locally, regionally and diocesan-wide. • Strong pastoral leadership, ordained as well as lay – now and in the future, is needed for planning to succeed.

  12. Inherent Assumptions to SGP: • All parishes will be more effective, if they plan for the future, especially when planning is an on-going process and not employed only in a crisis. • There is more ownership for and less resistance to planning that begins at the local level with meaningful involvement by those who will be impacted by the changes.

  13. Inherent Assumptions to SGP: • Parishes will be stronger and more effective, if they work together. • If and when mergers are needed, they will be less traumatic and more natural if people and parishes have already been in relationship with each other.

  14. Serving God’s People: Goals

  15. Goals for SGP • To enhance the vitality of parish life in the diocese • To act as good stewards of all God-given resources • To build a greater sense of unity within the rich ethnic, cultural and generational diversity within the local Church

  16. Goals for SGP • To increase collaboration among all parishes in the diocese in order to increase the impact of the presence of the Church both locally, regionally and in the world.

  17. Goals for SGP • To plan for a future that recognizes that there will be a diminishing number of priests available to serve and that acknowledges the changing demographics in many areas of the diocese

  18. Goals for SGP • To increase awareness of the current state of the parishes in each deanery from a ministry perspective, a demographic perspective, and a financial perspective

  19. St. Peter ClaverParish Profile

  20. Local Demographics • Over past 10 years the area has experienced - Moderate decline • Change in the makeup of the area population? Afro-American decrease • Does the parish serve nursing home(s), hospital(s), college(s), jails/prison(s), religious community, other? None of the above. • Is there a mission church attached? Yes, Immaculate Conception Haitian Mission.

  21. Local Demographics, cont’d. • Does the parish have seasonal considerations? No • Geographical area? Residential / commercial • Geographical area has the potential for Commercial and residential growth.

  22. Parish Community • Over the past 10 years the parish has experienced (growth) – no change. • At the present time: • 783 registered parishioners; • 200 attending weekend liturgy; • 10 attending weekday liturgy/prayer; • 350 seating capacity of the church; • ? Median age of parishioners • Parish staff includes: • Pastor, School Principal = Full Time • Others = Part Time paid/stipend and volunteers

  23. Parish Community • For the year 2009 • 5 Baptisms • 5 First Eucharist • 8 Confirmations • 2 Marriages • 6 Funerals • 0 RCIA • Is Communion distributed under both species at all parish liturgies? Yes • Is Music is a part of all weekend Masses? Yes • Weekend liturgies: 5:00 pm Saturday; 10:00 am Sunday

  24. Parish Community • Last time weekend liturgy schedule was changed = 2002. • Decision made by Pastor with input from the parish community • Weekday liturgy schedule – 8:00 am Mon – Fri • 2009 Liturgical activities? • Communal Penance Services, Adoration/Exposition, • Parish Missions twice per year.

  25. Parish Community • Active Liturgical Ministries? • Readers, EMHCs, Cantors, Musicians, Choir, Greeters, Ushers, Altar Servers, Welcoming activities • Ministers taking Eucharist to homebound, nursing homes (Pastor), hospital (Pastor)

  26. Faith Formation • The parish has a faith formation program conducted by the parish • FF Leader is DOSP certified cathechist • 6 catechists involved; 4 have DOSP certif. • 2008/2009 enrollment = 30@ K-8; 4@ 9-12 • No active RCIA team; Active Adult Education • Lectionary based program used in ’08/’09 • Ongoing evaluation of FF program by those directly involved (DRE and catechists) • No parish Faith Formation Committee

  27. Parish Outreach • Parish is involved in activities with other parishes – Member of HOPE • Parish Ministries of Mercy (outreach services): • St. Vincent de Paul (food distribution, home visits, financial assistance) • Parish Bereavement ministry

  28. Finances • Is there an active finance council? Yes • Who is involved in the preparation of the budget? Pastoral leader, bookkeeper/business manager. • Does your ordinary income cover parish expenses? Yes • Is your parish in debt? No • Does your parish have savings? Yes • Parish property includes church, rectory, parish hall, school; all in good condition.

  29. Finances • Parish does not own any other property. • Parish rents/leases from others. • Parish is not involved in major repairs/projects. • No structural deficiencies have been identified.

  30. Parish Leadership • There is an active parish/pastoral council. • Council members chosen: • Appointment by parish leader • Elected by the community • Information is shared via parish bulletin, website, phone tree

  31. Parish Leadership • What challenges do we face as a parish community? • Communication as a whole. • Formation (parishioners in general and leadership) • Lack of involvement and activities for young adults

  32. Parish Leadership • What ideas can help us to meet those challenges? • Encourage members to read the bulletin, visit website, share information with others • Have more forums/opportunities for discussion of church, parish and community issues. • Share information with parishioners in a timely manner. • Support from and involvement in formation activities by the leadership.

  33. Parish Survey

  34. Sec. 1 Parish Life – Parishioner Status # Surveys submitted = 127 • 1. Are you registered at this parish? More than 10 years > 59.8% (76) • 2. Zip/Postal code = 34 reported • 3. Your Age = *Tie > 60-69 & 70-79 >21.4% (27) • 4. Gender = Female > 69.8% (88) • 5. Size of your household = 2>38.9% (49), 1&4 17.5% (22) • 6. Vocation = Married > 47.2% (58)

  35. Sec. 1 Parish Life – Parishioner Status • 7. Seasonal parishioner = No > 91.3% (115) • 8. Attend Sunday Mass = Every Sunday> 77.8% (98) • 9. Cultural background = African American >71.8% (89)

  36. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Prayer & Worship • 10&11> My parish actively participates in the Sacramental Life of the Church = Very Important > 69.7% (85) / Good > 65.6% (80) • 12&13> Encourages full active participation in the Eucharist= Very Important > 80.8% (97) / Good > 73.3% (88) • 14&15> Encourages people to participate in the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation regularly= Very Important > 59.2% (71) / Good > 47.5% (57)

  37. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Prayer & Worship • 16&17>Encourages and provides for participation in other worship services= Very Important > 46.7% (56) / Good > 43.3% (52) • 18&19>Invites and trains parishioners to serve in designated ministries for Mass= Very Important > 70.8% (85) / Good > 64.2% (77) • 20&21>Provides for the spiritual and sacramental needs of the sick and homebound= Very Important > 78.3% (94) / Good > 63.3% (76)

  38. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Prayer & Worship • 22&23>Emphasizes community and individual growth in holiness= Very Important > 58.8% (70) / Good > 47.9% (57) • 24&25>Respects and embraces the different ethnic heritages present in the parish and community= Very Important > 82.1% (96) / Good > 61.5% (72)

  39. Sec. 2 – Parish Life Evangelization • 26&27> My parish warmly welcomes new people into the parish= Very Important > 85.5% (100) / Good > 81.2% (95) • 28&29> Invites in-active Catholics and people not participating in any church to our parish= Very Important > 65.8% (77) / Good > 42.7% (50)

  40. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Life Long Faith Formation • 30&31> My parish prepares children and adults to participate in the Sacramental Life of the Church= Very Important > 77.6% (90) / Good > 62.9% (73) • 32&33> Models and applies the Gospel to issues in our daily lives= Very Important > 72.4% (84) / Good > 49.1% (57)

  41. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Life Long Faith Formation • 34&35> Has effective faith formation programs for children, youth and young adults, which respects and builds upon ethnic and cultural realities. = Very Important > 75.9% (88) / Good > 53.4% (62) • 36&37> Provides faith formation for adults on a regular basis which respect and build upon ethnic and cultural realities. = Very Important > 64.7% (75) / Good > 39.7% (46)

  42. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Service & Outreach • 38&39> My parish sponsors and/or supports ministries that reach out to the poor and marginalized. = Very Important > 75.9% (88) / Good > 71.6% (83) • 40&41> Reaches out to parishioners with special needs (i.e. – widowed, separated/divorced, single parents, physically or mentally challenged, etc.) = Very Important > 63.8% (74) / Good > 32.8% (38)

  43. Sec. 2 Parish Life – Service & Outreach • 42&43> Participates in local ecumenical and interfaith activities (activities that promote mutual respect and understanding between faiths, or promote Christian unity). = Very Important > 54.3% (63) / Good > 37.1% (43) • 44&45> Promotes and encourages good stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. = Very Important > 69.8% (81) / Good > 52.6% (61)

  44. Sec. 2 Parish Life - Administration • 46&47> My parish invites people and provides training for leadership responsibilities in the parish= Very Important > 59.5% (69) / Good > 38.8% (45) • 48&49> Provides periodic financial reports for the parish= Very Important > 75.0% (87) / Good > 53.4% (62)

  45. Sec. 2 Parish Life - Administration • 50&51> Is financially secure and maintains its property and buildings = Very Important >67.2% (78) / Fair 30.2% (35) • 52&53> Has adequate facilities for the size and population of the parish. = Very Important > 68.7% (79) / Good > 54.8% (63)

  46. Sec. 3 Parish Life – The Future • Keep all four parishes open = 48.7% (56) • Close one or more of the parishes = 3.5% (4) • Merge two or more of the parishes together = 31.3% (36) • I do not know = 16.5% (19)

  47. Sec. 4 • I have read the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter, “Living Eucharist: Gathered, Nourished, Sent” = 55.3% (63) • I have seen the companion DVD to the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter = 17.5% (20) • I belong to a Small Christian Community = 25.4% (29)

  48. Sec. 3 Parish Life – The Future • I have attended a Living Eucharist conference in the past= 28.9% (33) • I participate in adult formation in my parish = 14.9% (17) • None of the above = 27.2% (31)

  49. Sec. 3 - Comments • 39 comments were received • Generally favorable • Opportunity to learn and foster further discussion • Opportunity for parish to grow

  50. Sec. 3 - Comments 5 Categories • Willingness to travel some distance to be a part of the community • Love the parish • Culturally diverse • Open and welcoming to all • Serves community • Clarification of finances and financial status • Financial challenges • Better and more timely reporting / transparency

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