The parish pastoral plan is the fruit of the Next Generation Parish program from Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), which we embarked upon over a year ago along with about fifteen other parishes in our diocese. Information was gathered through the Disciple Maker Index survey, as well as interviews with parishioners and staff during a site-visit by CLI. Then the Envisioning Team (twelve members) worked together over ten months to produce the document you are now receiving. It is the fruit of prayer, of dreaming with God’s vision for our parish, and of determining attainable goals that will help us to grow into the parish we are made to be. The process continues with an implementation team who will help to pursue these goals via the best possible strategies. The goal of this plan is to focus our parish’s efforts to excel in important areas. While we already thrive in some areas, there are many ways we can grow so that we can more fully live out our mission of bringing the good news of Jesus to the world in ways old and new. Through the focused efforts that flow from this plan, may the anointing of the Holy Spirit continue to drive us forward in our work of fulfilling the great commission of Jesus: "Go and make disciples of all nations”! May St. Thérèse continue to intercede for our parish.
Driven by the missionary zeal of St. Thérèse, the Lord anoints us to proclaim to the poor and broken the Good News that Jesus calls us to
abundant life in Him.
We will be a vibrant and loving community, joyfully living and boldly proclaiming the Gospel, responsive to the needs of the poor and vulnerable, forming disciples and equipping apostles to transform the world.
"O my God, You have surpassed all my expectations."
St. Thérèse
"I have never given God anything but love and it is with love He will repay."
St. Thérèse
All parishioners will be equipped and empowered to boldly share the gospel and its effects in their lives with the churched and unchurched alike.
Rationale: In the disciple maker index (DMI) parishioner respondents expressed a desire for more training in how to share their faith and their personal witness story, as well as how to share more about the story of Jesus (the gospel or “kerygma”). The envisioning team discerned this as one of the top opportunities in our parish right now: “We can help people understand the need for a relationship with Jesus and the call to evangelization.” This priority addresses a need of our parish as well the need for evangelization which is facing the Church on a national scale.
Goals:
Our parishioners will be nurtured and guided by the parish to continually deepen their relationship with Jesus so that they can truly follow Him in every aspect of their lives.
Rationale: In the DMI, parishioners showed a great desire for more programs in the parish to “grow spiritually by forming them as a disciple of Jesus Christ.” They expressed a yearning for programs like “retreats, workshops, and the resources” and for “connecting with small, faith-sharing groups.” These are excellent opportunities to meet parishioners where they are on their discipleship journey and to minister to them in ways that will bear fruit both in their lives and the life of the parish.
Goals:
We will establish and develop meaningful connections within our parish family and local community, growing in awareness of the sacredness of each person and walking with them as we journey together toward heaven.
Rationale: This priority comes from Pope Francis’ encouragement for the Church to embrace the ministry of genuine “accompaniment,” and is based in the Biblical principle that we are all the many parts that make up the Body of Christ. It is supported by a desire which was also expressed by parishioners in the DMI and the discernment of the envisioning team (small groups, more effectively getting parishioners integrated and involved, ministry transparency and connection, more intentional welcome and integration of young families). Ultimately this priority means we want to work at sharing life together.
Goals:
The Disciple Maker Index (DMI) is a survey tool, created by Catholic Leadership Institute to allow parishioners to reflect upon their spiritual growth and discipleship and Identify the ways in which the parish can effectively support that growth.
St. Thérèse, Little Flower parishioners took the DMI survey in November of 2019 and will take it again at the conclusion of the plan in 2023. In addition to information to be collected as part of the above goals, the DMI tracks agreement with statements like “The parish helps me grow spiritually by offering vibrant and engaging Sunday Masses” and “The parish helps me connect with a local Catholic community by making me feel welcomed and accepted.” This can help us assess our progress in achieving our parish vision.
Please study this and pray with the parish plan to learn how God wants you to be a part of this important work for your own personal discipleship and for the benefit of your parish family and local community to whom we are called to serve and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The next step will be the work of the “Implementation Team,” who will organize parish efforts to achieve the above goals. You will notice that the goals do not explain how we achieve them - that is the work of this new team.
The team has been formulated, comprised of our pastor, Lenny Strzelecki and two leaders for each priority. The leaders of the three Priorities are: Accompaniment: Kerry Wallace
Evangelization: Mikel Hogan and Abby Kyle
Discipleship: Daniel Tucker
As we move forward, these Priority Leaders will be recruiting other parishioners to join in part of the process of implementation in their specific area of focus. Each of the three teams will be taking time to understand the Priority and the Goals for each Priority. Then, each Team will determine the necessary Strategies and Action Steps to achieve the Goals. We ask that you prayerfully consider joining one of these teams. Contact a Team Leader with your interest.
Please pray for the success of the Priority Teams and for our Parish. St. Therese, pray for us!