ADEMONSTRATIONON HOW TO APPROACH THE SYNODQUESTIONS

OBJECTIVES OF THIS OBJECTIVES OF THIS EXERCISEEXERCISE

Objective One: The TheoryObjective One: The Theory

= To understand the meaning of = To understand the meaning of the synod questionsthe synod questions

Objective Two: The PracticumObjective Two: The Practicum

= To demonstrate its application = To demonstrate its application by using two parish synod by using two parish synod reportsreports

THE PHILOSOPHY OF QUESTIONS

Significance of a question: A methodology provision to achieve a particular goal

Example: The structure of two different questions point to two separate outcomes

+ Question 1: “What is your name?”

+ Question 2: “What is your full name?”

PHILOSOPHY OF QUESTIONS

Question 1: Gives the responder an option to provide a portion of or the persons full name

Question 2: Requires the responder to give name in entirety.

Conclusion: If question is about method, then the manner of framing the question determines outcome

Bernard Lonergan says,

“Method is not a set of rules to be followed meticulously by a dolt. It is a framework for collaborative creativity. It would outline the various clusters of operations to be performed . . .when. . . go[ing] about. . . various tasks.”

The purpose of the Synod questionnaire is meant exactly this – “ a framework for collaborative creativity.”

IMPLICATIONS

Need to understand the nature of the questions

Need to respect the framework of the question and respond appropriately

If in doubt about a question, need to seek clarification

Need to respect the sequence of the questionnaire

AN ANALYSIS OF THE SYNOD AN ANALYSIS OF THE SYNOD QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

AN ANALYSIS OF QUESTION 1

What broad direction did you set to achieve the Synod Initiatives . . .?

= Having identified the Synod Initiatives, reflect on an overarching vision that serves as a guide. Generally, mission statement expresses an institution’s vision or broad direction.

ANALYSIS OF QUESTION 2

How were you able to execute your decisions . . .?

= Decisions relate to goals and objectives: a set of measureable proposed actions that assist in goal achievement

ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONS 3 & 4

What have you done in the past two years to give sustainability to your targeted activities. . .?

Were you able to put the right people in the right areas to drive the activities forward?

- “Sustainability” and “drive” Sustainability” and “drive” points:points:* * organizational structure of the

parish* methods, frequency and lines of

communication * clear understanding of roles and

responsibilities* formation and on-going formation in

preparation to be drivers of objectives * Planning, execution and evaluation * method of discernment

ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONS5,6,7 These questions relate to evaluation. Evaluation serves the following purposes:

+ To measure qualitative and quantitative growth+ To assess strengths and weaknesses+ To be able to adjust objectives and goals+ To objectively judge the reality with the least amount of bias

ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONS5,6,7

+ provide directions for the future

+ provide corrective measures

PARISH PASTORAL PARISH PASTORAL MODELSMODELS

OF OF TWO TWO

PARISHES: HOLY CROSS & PARISHES: HOLY CROSS & SACRED HEART, OLD HARBOURSACRED HEART, OLD HARBOUR

BROAD DIRECTIONS

HOLY CROSS

Captured in the form of a mission statement of the parish.

“Inspired by our encounter with Jesus Christ, our mission is to understand, accept and practise stewardship as a way of life leading to a deeper sense of belonging and evangelization by our faith community”

BROAD DIRECTION

SACRED HEARTCaptured in the form of a mission statement of the parish.

“We, the Sacred Heart Community, Old Harbour empowered by the Holy Spirit, called to be faithful in proclaiming the

Word of God, knit together God’s people . . .”

DECISION – GOALS & OBJECTIVES

HOLY CROSS

Goals and the related measurable objectives were constructed using the seven essential elements of parish ministry:

= Evangelization

= Worship

= Service

= Community

= Catechesis

DECESION – GOALS & OBJECTIVES

= Leadership

= Service

= Stewardship

DECISION – GOALS & OBJECTIVES

SACRED HEART

Goal: A two year goal established (2008-2010)

Four objectives were constructed in the following areas:

= Stewardship and Evangelization

= Community Building

= Catechesis

= Outreach

SUSTAINABILITY

HOLY CROSS

After a TOWS analysis (Threats leading to Opportunities & Weaknesses leading to Strengths) Holy Cross recognised several weaknesses in the following areas:

HOLY CROSS

= = organizational structure of the parish= methods, frequency and lines of communication = clear understanding of roles and responsibilities= formation and on-going formation in preparation to be drivers of objectives = Planning, execution and evaluation = method of discernment

HOLY CROSS

Solution: to ensure “sustainability” and suitable “drivers”= Development of the Pastoral Model related to the unique position and situation of the church= Amendment of Parish Pastoral Council Constitution in light of the Pastoral Model= Investment in laity formation

+ Quarterly liturgical workshops+ Enrolment of students at St. Michael’s+ Enrolment of students at CIJ+ Participation in annual stewardship conf.

HOLY CROSS

+ Investment in Parish Pastoral Periodicals+ Adult faith Update

= Quarterly meetings with executive members of ministries and organizations

= Execution of a parish census = Quarterly report of parish finance= Representatives of the 7 elements of parish life sits on the

Parish Pastoral Council= Use of bulletin to communicate with parishioners on the life and

mission of the community

HOLY CROSS

= Team and collaborative approach to ministries that involve the 7 elements of parish life. For example, liturgical team, catechetical team, Service team.

SUSTAINABILITY

SACRED HEART

Embarked on a pastoral analysis of the parish: Strengths and Weaknesses

SUSTAINABILITY

SACRED HEART= Laity formation

+ Seminars,Conferences and Days of recollection in the vicariate

+ Ongoing formation for evangelizers and catechists

= Establishment of Parish Organizational Structure: Parish priest, pastoral team, parish pastoral council, finance council, school, and the lines of communication among themselves

SACRED HEART

+ Pastoral Team: One person responsible to a pastoral minsitry – Worship, Catechesis, Service, temporalities and Youth.

- Ministry covered

- Roles and function

- Accountability to whom

- Tenure of office

- Programme of activities

SACRED HEART

= Development of a pastoral plan that consist of four phases:

+ Phase 1: Identifying the data

+ Phase 2: Development process

+ Phase 3: Consolidation Process

+ Phase 4: Celebration

EVALUATIONEVALUATION

HOLY CROSSHOLY CROSS

Question 5: Catechesis – Based on the Question 5: Catechesis – Based on the measurable objectives the parish achieved measurable objectives the parish achieved the following:the following:

= Introduction of Adult Faith Update= Introduction of Adult Faith Update

= Restructuring of Catechetical = Restructuring of Catechetical programme programme

= Increasing the number of catechists= Increasing the number of catechists

= Formation programme for new = Formation programme for new catechistscatechists

HOLY CROSS

= Introduction of Catechetical Ministry Fair and registration on Catechetical Sunday

= Increase enrollment of candidates in each programme

= Catechetical section in Sunday bulletin

HOLY CROSS

Question 5: Evangelization= Objectives achieved

+ Representatives attend diocesan workshop+ Emphasis on evangelization

component in: Street people min.,Health and wellness min., St. Vincent de Paul min.

+ Increase interests groups and neighbouring businesses in attendance to Eucharist

HOLY CROSS

+ Use of electronic media to broadcast services and mass

= Objectives unachieved+ Improved ecumenical relations with

neighbouring churches+ Structured evangelization programme for

the parish+ Insufficient outreach to the people who converge or passing through the cross road of Half-Way-Tree

EVALUATION

Question 6: ObstaclesEvangelization & Catechesis

+ Expensive Catechetical materials+ Difficulty in raising awareness + Difficulty in breaking persons out of a spiritual comfort zone+ Distraction of materialism,

consumerism and other competing factors such as school or work

HOLY CROSS

+ Multiple involvement of parishioners in non-ecclesial activities, but humanitarian such as Kiwanis, Lions clubs etc.

+ Traffic congestion: Accessibility to the Church for pastoral activities is challenging.

+ No full-time members of our pastoral team including the pastor

EVALUATION

Question 7:

No specific group targeted.

However efforts are made to increase the awareness of Stewardship – Living and Witnessing for Jesus (theme of Year 2 of Stewardship Year) among the following groups:

+ Young Adults

+ Children, eg. Special collection envelops

+ Youths

EVALUATION

Sacred Heart, Old Harbour

No detail evaluation offered.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

• ““THE ART OF DISCERNMENT IS LIKE THE ART OF DISCERNMENT IS LIKE THE SKILL OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBING. THE SKILL OF MOUNTAIN CLIMBING. YOU STUDY CAREFULLY THE PATH YOU STUDY CAREFULLY THE PATH AND ITS SURROUNDINGS BY ASKING AND ITS SURROUNDINGS BY ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. SATISFIED . . . THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. SATISFIED . . . ONE PLOTS A DIRECTION AND AIM ONE PLOTS A DIRECTION AND AIM FOR THE MOUNTAIN TOP”FOR THE MOUNTAIN TOP”