planning tomorrow’s parishes a future full of hope saint brigid town hall march 2012

Planning Tomorrow’s Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes Parishes

A Future Full of HopeA Future Full of Hope

Saint Brigid Town HallSaint Brigid Town Hall

March 2012March 2012

Opening PrayerOpening Prayer

Loving God, at this time in the life of our parish, Loving God, at this time in the life of our parish, we turn to you with grateful hearts, for what we we turn to you with grateful hearts, for what we have, and with great anticipation for what is yet have, and with great anticipation for what is yet to be. Bless us with a sense of unity, a spirit of to be. Bless us with a sense of unity, a spirit of cooperation, and a generous heart, as we face cooperation, and a generous heart, as we face the responsibilities and challenges of this parish the responsibilities and challenges of this parish undertaking. We are rooted in Your word and in undertaking. We are rooted in Your word and in Your work. Please guide us, strengthen us, and Your work. Please guide us, strengthen us, and bless us with Your presence, now and through bless us with Your presence, now and through the months to come. AMENthe months to come. AMEN

St. Brigid of Kildare St. Brigid of Kildare Core TeamCore Team

Father Pat O’ConnorFather Pat O’Connor Tom EricksonTom Erickson Joan HerbertJoan Herbert Brian SmithBrian Smith Kathy SmithKathy Smith

A Future Full of Hope A Future Full of Hope Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes Planning Tomorrow’s Parishes

GoalsGoals Enhance the vibrancy of Parish Life in the Enhance the vibrancy of Parish Life in the

Diocese of SaginawDiocese of Saginaw Strengthen the presence of ministryStrengthen the presence of ministry Foster appreciation of the EucharistFoster appreciation of the Eucharist Promote evangelizationPromote evangelization Re-align parishes in the Diocese with Re-align parishes in the Diocese with

consideration of the number of Priests consideration of the number of Priests available, financial resources and available, financial resources and changing demographicschanging demographics


GoalsGoals Ensure that all parishes have quality Ensure that all parishes have quality

opportunities for lifelong Christian education opportunities for lifelong Christian education and formationand formation

Strengthen service to those that are Strengthen service to those that are marginalizedmarginalized

Promote vocations to priesthood and religious Promote vocations to priesthood and religious lifelife

Promote greater involvement in lay ministryPromote greater involvement in lay ministry Support new initiatives for youth and young Support new initiatives for youth and young

adultsadults

A Future Full of Hope A Future Full of Hope Planning Tomorrow’sPlanning Tomorrow’s Parishes Parishes

GoalsGoals Build a greater sense of unity among all Build a greater sense of unity among all

Catholics Catholics Increase collaboration among all entities Increase collaboration among all entities Advocate for peace and justiceAdvocate for peace and justice

A Future Full of Hope A Future Full of Hope Planning Tomorrow’s Planning Tomorrow’s

TimelineTimeline Conversation at the cohort level by March 2012Conversation at the cohort level by March 2012 Suggestion of model for each cohort by June 2012Suggestion of model for each cohort by June 2012 Preliminary recommendations to Diocesan Planning Commission by Preliminary recommendations to Diocesan Planning Commission by

September 2012September 2012 Response by October 2012Response by October 2012 Final recommendations by December 2012Final recommendations by December 2012 Decisions by January 2013Decisions by January 2013 Implementation by July 2013Implementation by July 2013


CohortsCohorts What is a cohort?What is a cohort?

Parishes working together are a cohortParishes working together are a cohort How is this different than a cluster?How is this different than a cluster?

The cohort continues to work together going forward into the The cohort continues to work together going forward into the future under an agreed upon model that is approved at the future under an agreed upon model that is approved at the Diocesan level Diocesan level

What parishes have been identified as our cohorts?What parishes have been identified as our cohorts? St Agnes (Sanford)St Agnes (Sanford) Assumption of BVM (Larkin)Assumption of BVM (Larkin) Blessed Sacrament (Midland)Blessed Sacrament (Midland) St. Brigid of Kildare (Midland)St. Brigid of Kildare (Midland)

ModelsModels

Linked ParishesLinked Parishes Remain distinct (e.g. administratively)Remain distinct (e.g. administratively) Do many services and programs togetherDo many services and programs together Joint staff where appropriateJoint staff where appropriate

Partnership ParishesPartnership Parishes Create joint programsCreate joint programs Share staff and stewardshipShare staff and stewardship

ModelsModels

Merged ParishesMerged Parishes Celebrate Sacraments togetherCelebrate Sacraments together Share resources and overheadShare resources and overhead Join forces for larger worship congregationsJoin forces for larger worship congregations

Pastoral AdministratorsPastoral Administrators Deacon or Lay Minister appointed as day to day Deacon or Lay Minister appointed as day to day

minister for the parishminister for the parish

In Solidum TeamIn Solidum Team Three or more parishes served by a team of priests Three or more parishes served by a team of priests

with one as moderatorwith one as moderator

Prior to Conversations Prior to Conversations with Cohortswith Cohorts

Each Parish appointed a core team Each Parish appointed a core team Core team pulling together Core team pulling together strengths and strengths and

opportunitiesopportunities for the parish for the parish Survey parishionersSurvey parishioners Town Hall meetingsTown Hall meetings

Survey ResponsesSurvey Responses

Four surveys completed for key areas of Four surveys completed for key areas of parish lifeparish life Sacramental LifeSacramental Life Evangelization, Faith Formation, Catholic Evangelization, Faith Formation, Catholic

Schools and Lifelong Religious EducationSchools and Lifelong Religious Education Stewardship and JusticeStewardship and Justice AdministrationAdministration

Sacramental Life of the Sacramental Life of the ParishParish

57%25%

6%

1%

11%

Going Strong Adequate Needs Help Let's Begin Left Blank

Evangelization, Faith Formation, Evangelization, Faith Formation, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Catholic Schools and Lifelong

Religious EducationReligious Education

42%

29%

12%

2%

15%


Stewardship and JusticeStewardship and Justice

32%

37%

17%

4%

10%


Effective AdministrationEffective Administration

50%

27%

6%

2%

15%

Going Strong Adequate Needs HelpLet's Begin Left Blank

ConclusionsConclusions

Overall most parishioners believe we are going strong or Overall most parishioners believe we are going strong or adequate in most areas surveyedadequate in most areas surveyed

Parishioners are still in need of help with the new wording Parishioners are still in need of help with the new wording from the Roman Missalfrom the Roman Missal

Involvement of Youth in Ministry was stressed and making Involvement of Youth in Ministry was stressed and making Mass more meaningful for them and teaching them their Mass more meaningful for them and teaching them their faith – this came up on all 4 surveys regardless of the faith – this came up on all 4 surveys regardless of the questions askedquestions asked

Many comments about music and how it could be even Many comments about music and how it could be even better; a combined music ministry between all 3-4 parishes better; a combined music ministry between all 3-4 parishes in Midland was mentioned by a fewin Midland was mentioned by a few

Many comments about providing a quiet environment for Many comments about providing a quiet environment for prayer prior to Massprayer prior to Mass

ConclusionsConclusions Support for the school is strong – many comments on Support for the school is strong – many comments on

linking with Catholic HS in Saginaw/Bay City/Mt Pleasant linking with Catholic HS in Saginaw/Bay City/Mt Pleasant so more transition to Catholic HSso more transition to Catholic HS

Hospitality needs strengthening especially with new Hospitality needs strengthening especially with new members making them feel welcome; some parish staff members making them feel welcome; some parish staff do not come across as friendlydo not come across as friendly

More prayer and emphasis on vocations suggestedMore prayer and emphasis on vocations suggested Add a ministry to those in jailAdd a ministry to those in jail Strengthen Faith Formation – we are losing our kids after Strengthen Faith Formation – we are losing our kids after

second grade – need to make it valuable and meaningful second grade – need to make it valuable and meaningful so kids want to go so kids want to go

Better coordination between parishes of Mass times, Better coordination between parishes of Mass times, Holy Days, Reconciliation with a variety of daily Mass Holy Days, Reconciliation with a variety of daily Mass times (later in the day for working people)times (later in the day for working people)

ConclusionsConclusions Social Justice is a hot button phrase and needs further Social Justice is a hot button phrase and needs further

explanation as it relates to the Catholic Churchexplanation as it relates to the Catholic Church Right to Life issues are strongly supported by Right to Life issues are strongly supported by

parishioners and need to be more strongly supported parishioners and need to be more strongly supported by the Parish as a whole and in our curriculumby the Parish as a whole and in our curriculum

More training for teachers and faith formation on our More training for teachers and faith formation on our core Catholic teachings especially as it relates to Right core Catholic teachings especially as it relates to Right to Life, contraception etc. Don’t be afraid to talk about to Life, contraception etc. Don’t be afraid to talk about this with parents and childrenthis with parents and children

Need to broaden the base of volunteers in the parish Need to broaden the base of volunteers in the parish with more youth involvedwith more youth involved

Facility issues as they relate to a gathering space, coat Facility issues as they relate to a gathering space, coat racks and handicap accessibilityracks and handicap accessibility

Next Step…….Next Step…….

Core team meets with cohort core teams Core team meets with cohort core teams on 3/22/12 on 3/22/12

planning tomorrow’s parishes a future full of hope saint brigid town hall march 2012

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