Parish Pastoral Plan
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Introduction
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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.
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our mission
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.
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our vision
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.
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Our Core Values
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People before projects.
Jesus came to save souls and not establish programs or projects. We want to make sure our focus stays on the person in front of us. People have said that Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II gave such attention to the individual that they felt they were the only person in the world. Although their “projects” were certainly very important, they saw Jesus in those before them.
Focused towards Jesus, together.
Whatever we do, our eyes should be on Jesus. We are not a community closed-inward on ourselves, nor are we directed toward some earthly destiny. True accompaniment is walking side-by-side toward the Lord.
Owning our littleness.
Without the grace of God, we are powerless. But this doesn’t mean we’re insignificant. If we admit our need for God (and others), we are freed from self-reliance, and this breaks down barriers between us and Jesus and opens us to his grace.
"The closer my union with You, Jesus, the more I love all my sisters without distinction."
St. Thérèse
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Learning to hear God’s voice.
We live in a society rife with noise and distractions, hindering our ability to hear God’s voice or give attention to it. And the pressures of modern life, along with choices we make in utilizing our time, can create a lot of static that deafen us to God’s voice. The prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19 doesn’t hear God’s voice in a strong and violent wind, an earthquake, or a fire, but in a gentle whisper. That is why being silent and listening in personal prayer is so vital. And that is why hearing the Word of God at Mass and reading and praying with Scripture can be so fruitful. All help us to hear distinguish God’s voice from the dissonances of societal voices that vie for our attention and thus for our heart.
Trusting that everything is grace.
Those words – everything is grace – from our patroness St. Thérèse, are so simple and so profound, as is the case of much of what she said. Grace doesn’t mean easy, or perfect, or simple, or unchallenging. It means that everything is a blessing from God. If it is something we have prayed for, the blessing is obvious. If it is a misfortune, then the blessing is in the healing, peace, compassion, mercy, understanding, wisdom, discernment, etc. which God may be calling us to on the other side of the misfortune. Grace always calls us to a new place, something new and better, always into a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Dreaming God-sized dreams.
How often do we define ourselves by our limitations rather than our possibilities? Or “it is what it is” rather than “it will be what it can be”? In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” So why wouldn’t we want to imagine peace for all? The eradication of poverty, hunger, discrimination, violence, war, and every other form of injustice? A culture of life and love in our homes, community, nation, and world? A God-sized dream imagines Little Flower as a family, not just a parish. A God-sized dream imagines us all as disciples of Jesus, not just ten, or twenty, or thirty, of forty percent of us.
"O my God, You have surpassed all my expectations."
St. Thérèse
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God first, others second, I am third.
This is not natural for fallen human nature. We naturally are inclined to protect ourselves and those we care about. However, keeping first things first, and following the example set by Jesus, this is the re-orientation that the Lord calls us to in the Gospel. Dismissing crowds and foregoing sleep, Jesus put God first through night vigils in prayer and through his prayer the night before He was crucified: "not My will but Yours be done." He put others second so clearly by seeing the crowds as "sheep without a shepherd," and proceeded to "teach them many things." Even when exhausted, he thought of them. In this flipping of our natural inclination of priorities, we find new and abundant life, as Vatican II so clearly taught: man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. (Gaudium et Spes, 24)
I let God interrupt my plans.
One of the most difficult sacrifices for us to offer up is our plans, which are based on our expectations and assumptions (which can be barriers to God working in new ways). Jesus came that we would have life to the full, but our plans may be clouding over the fullness. Listening to and following God can involve a lot of “letting go.” This is clear for Joseph and Mary, and for Simon and Andrew and the sons of Zebedee who had to leave their fishing careers to follow Christ. But how do we know it is God interrupting our plans? This is a tough process to pin down, because God tends to surprise us. However, He also doesn't contradict Himself. And lastly, humbly trying to please Him does in fact please Him. So let us keep our eyes and ears open for where and how the Lord is calling us to give ourselves in ways that surprise us
I have gifts worth giving.
Everybody is gifted. Everybody! Remember the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Substituting “gifts” for “talents”, whether you have received five gifts, two gifts, or one gift, you have it, and it is of huge value for the kingdom. We thrive when we share our gifts, not keeping them for ourselves like the man who buried his talent in the ground. Here is one gift everyone has: your presence. Showing up is a gift. Caring is a gift. There are the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2-3) which we are strengthened in through the Sacrament of Confirmation. What we traditionally think of as the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – can be thought of as gifts. The spiritual gifts found in 1 Corinthians 12 are given by the Holy Spirit to build up the community. Then there are other types of gifts found in Romans 12, which include teaching, giving, and leadership. And in Titus 1:8, we find hospitality. And there are plenty of gifts not found in Scripture; for example, creativity, as expressed in music, art, sculpture, and writing. You may have more of these than you know. And we all benefit when the gifts are shared.
"I have never given God anything but love and it is with love He will repay."
St. Thérèse
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Our Parish Priorities
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evangelization: planting the seed
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:
- Starting in 2021, We will have 50 people each year (for a total of 150 by 2023) to have their "Saul to Paul" moment (conversion or reversion to discipleship) and for ten of those people to be non-Catholics/nonbelievers/unchurched. (Measured by end-of-program surveys and personal glory stories by individuals.
- Starting in 2021, We will have 50 participants (for a total of 150 by 2023) in a weekly evangelization program (Metanoia, Alpha) each year. Each year ten of those people will be nonbelievers/unchurched.
- Before the Spring of 2023, we will train 50 disciples to know and tell the story of Jesus and tell their own story of encountering Him.
- For the next three years, we will increase our participation in RCIA by 25% each year. (Seekers/people who begin the program, not neophytes or "graduates")
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catechesis for discipleship: deepening the roots
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:
- By Spring of 2023, we will have a 5% increase in the number of parishioners who use Confession, engage in individual prayer, or attend a workshop/class on a monthly or more often basis.
- By Spring of 2023, in response to the question “where are you on your Catholic journey,” 45% of our parishioners will say they have a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” (The current response rate is 36%)
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accompaniment: growing together
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:
- To create a strategy for consistent outreach to parishioners, especially those who may be less connected to the parish.
- By 2023, match every new parishioner (family) with a parish companion (family) within three months of their registration.
- By Jan. 15, 2022, we will have at least 75 different parish families participating in the small group/household program.
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Disciple Maker Index
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- Parishioners are enthusiastic about St. Therese and 91% of DMI respondents would recommend the church (and its pastor) to a friend.
- 87% of DMI respondents feel “welcomed and accepted” at St. Therese.
- 95 to 100% of DMI respondents accept and affirm core Catholic teachings in the Resurrection, Eucharist, and Scripture as the Word of God.
- 87% of DMI respondents agree that the parish provides them with opportunities to serve those in need.
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- Parishioners feel St. Therese could do a better job teaching them about the Bible, how to share a personal faith story, and how to have greater confidence talking about their Catholic faith with others.
- More retreats, workshops, and small group discussions would be welcomed by parishioners.
- The parish could be better at following up with people who offer to get involved, as well as involving people in decision-making and finances.
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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.
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What's Next?
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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: Jerry Espiritu and 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!
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