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PASTORAL PLAN
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
With a Heart Renewed
St. Catherine Mission Statement
We, the people of St. Catherine of Siena Parish, come together to forma Christ-centered community of love and support. Moved by the Holy Spirit,we strive to live the message of the Gospel by being people of hospitality,prayer and discovery. With a commitment to peace, justice and respectfor all life, we celebrate God’s goodness by sharing our talents and concerns.On this journey of faith, we grow and deepen our relationship to God,our family and each other.
INTRODUCTION
This pastoral plan was developed by the Parish Consultations Committee.The plan is the result of the following steps:
1. On September 13-14 the WITH A HEART RENEWED survey wasadministered at all parish Masses to people age 16 and over. A total of1040 surveys were completed and then processed by the Rockford Diocese.The Parish Consultations Committee studied the results with particularattention being paid to those areas where the parishioners indicatedconcern but had high expectations.
2. During October, 1997, the consultations committee completed aparish vitality study. The parish was compared to the ideal parish, as definedby the Diocese in their report “Indicators of Parish Vitality.”
3. In January, 1998, a synopsis of the parish survey data was inserted inthe bulletin. Categories included areas of HIGHEST IMPORTANCE, LOWESTIMPORTANCE and HIGHEST DISCREPANCY BETWEEN IMPORTANCEAND QUALITY.
4. The consultations committee met in January to write the first draft of thepastoral plan. The committee compared the survey results with its own vitalitystudy evaluation.
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5. A town meeting was held on March 15, 1998. Draft 1 was introduced with
PASTORAL PLAN
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
With a Heart Renewed
feedback solicited.
6. Draft 2 Pastoral Plan was completed by the committee following theparish town hall meeting.
7. Monthly cluster meetings with Elgin parishes St. Mary’s, St. Laurence,St. Thomas More, and St. Joseph; Gilberts St. Mary; Carpentersville St. Monica;and Dundee St. Catherine began in April, 1998, and ended in November, 1998.Ideas were shared with a search for common ground and intra clusteral coop-eration desired. Five areas were identified by each of the parishes. Theseareas were adult education, youth ministry, young adult ministry, uninvolvedCatholics, and rapid population growth.
8. Changes to Draft 2 appeared in the December 6, 1998 bulletin. A commentsheet was provided for parishioner feedback.
9. On January 12, 1999, the consultations committee met to review comments.A final draft was completed and advanced to St. Catherine Pastoral Councilfor their review. The committee agreed a second town hall meeting wasn’tnecessary.
PARISH PRIORITIES
Priority 1: To present the liturgy in a manner which will help parishionersunderstand and strengthen their faith and actively incorporateit into their daily lives.
Liturgy is listed as the top priority because the parish Mass surveys indicatedthat parishioners ranked 4 of 6 liturgy questions in the top ten discrepancy ofimportance as opposed to quality. The Parish Consultations Committee confirmedsimilar results in their vitality study. Parish participation (singing), homilieswell prepared and applying, and prayerful/moving masses are specific areaswhich will be addressed during the consultations process.
Objective 1-1 : The liturgy committee shall continue their efforts to presentthe liturgy in a prayerful, reverent, spiritually moving, innovative, andmeaningful way. By 1/1/00 a means by which parishioners may give input
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PASTORAL PLAN
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
With a Heart Renewed
on their priorities and wishes on worship will be developed. This meanswill be used to gather such information by 6/1/00.
Objective 1-2: By 7/1/00 the clergy will complete at least one program toenhance their delivery of homilies so parishioners may better apply thescriptures to their daily lives.
Objective 1-3: Between 10/1/99 and 7/1/00, invite at least one guest homilistand begin a program of pulpit exchange within our deanery.
Objective 1-4: Beginning 10/1/99 rotate the various singing/musical groups atleast one month per year to different Masses to allow parishioners toexperience their talents and to encourage greater participation.
Objective 1-5: By 7/1/00 establish a children's and/or teens' choir. Rotate thisministry through the weekend Mass cycle.
Priority 2: To provide our parish community a well planned educationprogram that will increase knowledge of our faith. Theprogram should fulfill the needs of all ages and levelsof knowledge.
Participation of youth ministry (grades 9-12) and young adults (age18-30) is the second priority because of its high ranking in both the parishsurvey and the parish consultations process vitality study. As St. Catherineof Siena continues to grow at a rapid rate, an increase of programs focusingattention on this specific age category is needed.
Objective 2-1: By 9/1/99 engage a paid professional to administer the youthministry education program.
Objective 2-2: By 7/1/00 the youth ministry professional shall report to thePastoral Counci l on the progress of the program.
Objective 2-3: By 10/1/00 the Director of Religious Education shall implement ayoung adult education program.
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PASTORAL PLAN
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
With a Heart Renewed
Objective 2-4: By 10/1/01 establish a five-year plan regarding the expansion ofour physical plant. The plan shall include the role of St. Mary's, Gilberts.
Objective 2-5: By 1/1/00 a member of St. Catherine's clergy shall initiate ameeting of local clergy to examine the feasibility of establishing a programto promote ecumenism, understanding, and cooperation between the f a i t h s .
Priority 3: To increase the sense of community in our parish so that we willbetter live our faith in support of and supported by one another.
The parish survey identified a need to establish a sense of communityas our third priority. The vitality study supported this need. Manyparishioners who have visited other parishes report a vibrant senseof community. They ask, “why can’t we have this at St. Catherine’s?”
Objective 3-1: By 9/1/99 establish a coffee and conversation program afterweekend Masses.
Objective 3-2: By 10/1/99 new parishioners shall be introduced in the bulletin.Ministry heads shall contact new parishioners interested in their ministry.
Objective 3-3: By 1/1/01 establish small groups having similar interests (youngmarried; empty nesters; middle aged; et. al.). Monthly gatherings wouldbe held to promote community, fellowship, social activities and support.
Objective 3-4: By 1/1/01 conduct a parish census.
Objective 3-5: By 11/1/99 the Youth Ministry shall conduct a “homecomingevent" for the young college students during the Christmas vacation andsummer months to renew friendships and build new acquaintances.
Objective 3-6: 10/1/00 all entrances to St. Catherine's shall be handicappedaccessible.
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PASTORAL PLAN
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
With a Heart Renewed
Objective 3-7: By 11/15/99 representatives of the Pastoral Councils of St.Mary's of Gilberts and St. Catherine of Siena shall meet with the EpiscopalVicar of the Rockford Diocese to discuss area growth. The future role of St.Mary's and its relationship with St. Catherine's shall also be discussed.
Priority 4: Recommend to the Pastoral Council the establishment of a paidposition of Ministry/Volunteer Coordinator.
Respectfully submitted,
Lenore BeckerBarbara FergusonJoseph KeenanMichelle KilbourneEarl E. McGrath
Father Mike McKinstraJoseph MotylHarriet RussellElizabeth SkellieDeacon William WhiteheadBarbara Wiedmeyer
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