St. Alphonsus Parish Pastoral Council 44162PPT01B 4-15-16 St. Alphonsus Parish Pastoral Council Town Hall Meeting May 16, 2017

Agenda Opening Prayer – Fr. Quan Welcome and Introductions – Judy Olshin Our Parish Mission Statement, Vision & Values, and an Overview of the Pastoral Plan – Judy Olshin Review of Our 5 Year Goals and 2017 Objectives Worship – Kathy Morris Spread the Word/Reach-Teach-Preach – Judy Olshin and Kathy Morris Community – Kathy Kirsch and Greg Citro Discipleship – Kathy Guerin and Betsy Scarcelli Education – Larry Keeley Service – Deacon JT Toth Stewardship – Deacon John Mischler and Judy Olshin Large Group Discussion Closing Prayer – Fr. Quan

Pastoral Council Members Position/Term Member Name Pastor and Chairperson Fr. Stephen Leva, Chairperson Parochial Vicar Fr. Quan Trinh Ex Officio 1 Kathy Morris Ex Officio 2 Deacon JT Toth Ex Officio 3 & Finance Council Rep. Deacon John Mischler Term ends 12/31/2019 Kathy Kirsch Greg Citro Kathy Guerin Term ends 12/31/2018 Tom Greenwood Patrick Kelly Judy Olshin, Vice Chairperson Term ends 12/31/2017 Betsy Scarcelli Mike Reilly, Secretary Larry Keeley Annual elections are held each Fall – 3-year terms begin in January for new members – 2 elected /1 appointed

Judy Olshin Our Parish Mission Statement, Vision & Values, and an Overview of the Pastoral Plan

Pastoral Council’s Purpose and Responsibility Activities are conducted in accordance with the Pastoral Council Operating Guidelines (posted on the website) General function is to advise, assist and work collaboratively with the pastor on areas of pastoral concern. The council does this by: Informing the pastor of the needs, concerns, gifts and resources of the parish Developing and reviewing a parish mission statement and periodically re-evaluating and revising it Developing and recommending a Parish Pastoral Plan, based upon an assessment of the parish’s needs in areas of pastoral concern (worship, evangelization, stewardship, etc.) Recommending policies, procedures and programs which would assist in the implementation of the mission statement and pastoral plan Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of existing parish programs Reflecting on parish and Archdiocesan pastoral priorities and recommending how they can be implemented in the parish

Goals for the Development of our Mission Statement, Vision, and Values Honor the work of prior councils and our parish’s history Heed the words of Pope Francis that were addressed to the church in Philadelphia in September 2015 Establish the mission, vision and values that will guide the development of the pastoral plan and the operation of our parish ministries and organizations, and which become the basis for decision-making going forward Develop these three items in language that can be understood easily by all three target audiences and which clearly communicate our parish’s identity* * Special thanks to our parishioner Jim Paul and his company Thomas J. Paul, Inc., for their assistance with the logo design, editing, and launch plan development

Foundation for Our Parish Mission Statement What did Jesus say about the mission of the church? You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. Matthew 22:37, 39-40 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20 Love God - Love Others - Make Disciples* *Credit to Rebuilt by Michael White and Tom Corcoran

Our Mission Statement Logo Goal 1 – Enhance the Graphic Identity Our Mission Statement Logo

Our Vision Goal 2 – Refine the Values Statement To create an environment for our parishioners that fosters a closer relationship with Jesus and a sense of personal responsibility for the mission of the Catholic Church. As a parish community, we will creatively adapt to changing situations, and carry forward the legacy of the past. Above all, we will embrace the possibilities which the Spirit opens up to us, and communicate the joy of the Gospel, daily and in every season of our lives. *adapted from Pope Francis’ homily at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, PA, September 26, 2015

Values WORSHIP We worship God through the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments in a faith-filled community. We honor God through personal and active participation in our worship. SPREAD THE WORD/REACH-TEACH-PREACH As a parish, we want to reach beyond the walls of our church to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and those without a congregation. We look for opportunities to overcome barriers and build new bridges to help open the way for better understanding and a deeper trust in and love of God’s Word. We evangelize and invite parishioners no longer active in our church to experience the joys and blessings of our Catholic faith together with us. COMMUNITY We are warm and welcoming, a baptized community, nourished and renewed by all the sacraments. We draw parishioners together as a family through prayer, a spirit of hospitality, mutual respect, and Christian concern for all. Through large gatherings and intimate groups, we strive to build a culture where people are open and authentic.

Values DISCIPLESHIP SERVICE EDUCATION We lead with love and not with judgment, so God’s work lives through us and inspires others to follow as disciples of Jesus. Our responsibility is to do as Jesus did and bring the Word of God to others. We use our individual talents to support and encourage our parish members to participate fully in the various missions and ministries of the Church. SERVICE We recognize God’s call to serve those within our parish and beyond its borders, through the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit. We share what we have, however great or small, to aid those suffering or in need, especially the poor, the sick, and the forgotten. EDUCATION We are committed to the ongoing spiritual development of our community. We educate, guide, and support children and adult parishioners through religious and other educational programs. We provide opportunities that challenge the intellect and enhance spiritual growth.

Values STEWARDSHIP As a parish, we give back those gifts given to us as an act of worship and honor to God. We provide of our time, talents, and treasure to uphold our parish and we maintain effective leadership and administration to care for its facilities, personnel, and finances with transparency and accountability.

Pastoral Plan Development Includes goals and objectives for each value area: worship, evangelization, community, discipleship, service, education and stewardship What are goals? Brief, clear statements of an outcome to be reached within 3-5 years Broad, general descriptions that set forth what the results will look like Goals must be realistic, long-range, and challenging What are objectives? Brief, clear statements of specific actions/tasks to be completed as discrete steps toward the achievement of the goal Generally of shorter duration, with a specific completion date What should our goals and objectives address? Inspiring Active Parishioners and empowering them as disciples Re-engaging Inactive Parishioners Attracting Non-Parishioners

Review of Long Term Goals and 2017 Objectives

Worship Long-Term Goal Increase attendance, participation, and engagement in the Sunday liturgies. 2017 Objectives Pastoral Council Sponsors: Fr. Leva and Kathy Morris Music Ministry: By the start of 2017, establish bi-monthly meetings between the parish pastoral staff and music ministry leaders to focus on the following topics: Review the concepts presented in Rebuilt and other resources for fostering increased congregational singing Develop an approach to foster congregational singing and to create a comfortable and welcoming experience, especially for our occasional visitors. Among other topics, these meetings would include discussions regarding; sing-ability, tempo and familiarity of the music selections, introducing more contemporary Christian music to the congregation and adding a variety of musical instruments to our ensembles. Youth Ministry: Develop a plan to expand the Youth Masses by 2018 to allow us to offer these more regularly with targeted messages and music for youth.

Spread the Word/Reach-Teach-Preach (Evangelization) Long-Term Goal To create effective methods for outreach to our active parishioners, inactive parishioners and nonparishioners. 2017 Objectives Pastoral Council Sponsors: Judy Olshin and Kathy Morris By May 2017 – set up a follow-up meeting with Thomas J. Paul, Inc. to continue work on the marketing campaign’s initial set of concepts. With Thomas J. Paul, Inc., design and prepare to launch a series of communications to reach out to active parishioners, inactive parishioners, and non-parishioners before the end of 2017. The aims will be to develop active parishioners into evangelizers; to encourage more frequent attendance and participation of inactive parishioners; and to invite non-parishioners to join our parish. Regularly communicate status/progress to the Pastoral Council and gather input on the content and style of the proposed communications.

Community Long-Term Goal To create a welcoming community of believers who both support and feel supported by others on their life journeys, as we put into practice Pope Francis’ teachings of spiritual accompaniment. 2017 Objectives Pastoral Council Sponsors: Kathy Kirsch (Objective 1) Greg Citro (Objective 2) Establish a comprehensive Community Welcoming program by the end of 2017, to include both new parishioner welcome visits/calls as well greeters at weekend Masses. Initiate an Information Table in the Narthex at all weekend Masses and staff this with volunteers beginning in the Fall of 2017.

Community Objective 1 – Kathy Kirsch Establish a comprehensive Community Welcoming program by the end of 2017, to include both new parishioner welcome visits/calls as well greeters at weekend Masses. The PC sponsor will meet with the current leaders of the parish Welcoming Committee to gather information about their activities, challenges, and ideas. The sponsor will identify potential members for the Community Welcoming program from his/her own contacts in the parish and from those of other pastoral council members Call/invite current and potential new members to join this committee and to attend an initial meeting, and identify a leader for this group on an ongoing basis The Community Welcoming committee should agree upon recommended goals and actions, which may include, among other things: To develop a host team and weekend schedule for greeters whose goal is to greet everyone who comes into the church for weekend Masses, demonstrating our parish’s welcome and our enthusiasm for their presence. The greeter schedule should be managed via the current Ministry Scheduler Pro currently used for Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers. To examine the current methods for welcoming new parishioners and to discuss potential additional/alternative methods, such as new parishioner welcome Masses.

Community Objective 2 – Greg Citro Initiate an Information Table in the Narthex at all weekend Masses and staff this with volunteers beginning in the Fall of 2017. Determine necessary logistics (location, laptop, types of information available, training needed for volunteers, etc.) by April 2017. Consider having the following available at the table: Parish registration forms Sponsor certificates for baptisms, confirmations, etc. Information about various parish ministries and organizations Registration forms for PREP, marriage preparation programs, etc. Mass cards Instructions for how to register for e-giving Other appropriate types of information can be included on a regular or cyclical basis Develop and execute a communication plan for informing the parish about this new program

Discipleship Long-Term Goal To create opportunities to deepen our faith and live the word of God and to motivate us to bring the word of God to others. 2017 Objective Pastoral Council Sponsors: Kathy Guerin and Betsy Scarcelli Establish a Discipleship Committee whose goal would be to develop a plan for creating a limited number of small faith-sharing groups by December 31, 2017. The PC sponsors will identify potential members for the committee the current leaders of parish ministries and organizations, and from his/her own contacts in the parish and from those of other pastoral council members Call/invite current and potential new members to join this committee and to attend an initial meeting, and identify a leader for this group on an ongoing basis The Discipleship Committee should agree upon recommended goals and actions, which may include, among other things: How to begin these groups on a limited basis (e.g. – are there logical groups, such as Seniors, single Catholics, members of a particular ministry, etc.), and then to evaluate how these are working Develop a plan to scale up the effort in 2018 to additional groups Recommend methods for communicating with parishioners about the groups

Education Long-Term Goal To increase parishioners’ knowledge of our faith through ongoing educational opportunities leading to a more active spiritual life. 2017 Objective Pastoral Council Sponsors: Patrick Kelly and Larry Keely (Objective 1) Alix Hersh (Objective 2) Establish an Education Committee whose goal would be to develop a plan by the end of December 2017 for how best to deliver various types adult faith formation programs to our parishioners. Beginning with the two Children’s programs that the parish already has established (Shining Stars and Children’s Liturgy of the Word), develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy by December 2017.

Education Objective 1 – Pat Kelly and Larry Keeley Establish an Education Committee whose goal would be to develop a plan by the end of December 2017 for how best to deliver various types adult faith formation programs to our parishioners. The Pastoral Council sponsor will identify potential members for the committee from the current leaders of parish ministries and organizations, and from his/her own contacts in the parish and from those of other pastoral council members Call/invite current and potential new members to join this committee and to attend an initial meeting, and identify a leader for this group on an ongoing basis The sponsor will set the agenda for the initial meeting Share the relevant sections of the pastoral plan with the members, including the goals and objectives for this program Gather ideas and input from the members Set a schedule for future meetings The Education Committee should agree upon recommended goals and actions for 2018.

Education Objective 2 – Alix Hersh Beginning with the two Children’s programs that the parish already has established, develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy by December 2017 that includes: Clearly communicating the purpose, logistics, and age limitations of each program How best to encourage parents to take advantage of these programs in order to allow their children and themselves to participate more fully in the celebration of the Mass Encouraging parishioners to consider volunteering to assist with these ministries as a way for them to embrace their own discipleship How best to solicit input from parents who already use these two programs as well as those who do not, as an aid to determining whether changes need to be made to either program and/or whether additional programs should be developed for other age groups

Service Long-Term Goal To provide the means and opportunity to engage our parishioners in the service of the Lord in our community, our nation and our world. 2017 Objective Pastoral Council Sponsors: Mike Reilly, Deacon JT Toth, Tom Greenwood Create a Service Committee to identify and facilitate the communication of service opportunities available to our parishioners both in our parish and the community.  The scope of the service opportunities should include those activities that demonstrate the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The Pastoral Council sponsor will identify potential members for the committee from his/her own parish contacts and those of other pastoral council members Call/invite current and potential new members to join this committee and to attend an initial meeting, and identify a leader for this group on an ongoing basis The sponsor will set the agenda for the initial meeting. The Committee should recommend goals and actions.

Stewardship Long-Term Goal To help our parishioners recognize their God-given gifts, talents and resources, and their responsibility to use them for the good of our parish and our communities. 2017 Objective Pastoral Council Sponsors: Deacon John Mischler (Objective 1) Judy Olshin (Objective 2) Establish a Stewardship Committee whose goal would be to develop a plan by the end of October 2017 for how best to educate the Parish on stewardship, with the objective of inspiring a 25% increase in participation in ministries, parish activities and financial support.  Schedule the annual meeting with the leaders of parish ministries and organizations by May 2017. The agenda will include, at a minimum: A review of the parish pastoral plan and the objectives/activities in process A discussion of how each individual ministry/organization’s role relates to the parish mission and plan A focus on how to help those groups recruit new members and to communicate their purpose and accomplishments

Judy Olshin - Chairperson Open Forum

Open Forum Format Please raise your hand to be recognized by the chairperson prior to speaking The chairperson will direct questions to one of the Pastoral Council members for a response Questions/comments about other topics may be recorded for future consideration by the Council, but might not be answered this evening

Next Steps

Thank you for being here and for your participation! Wrap Up Tonight’s slide presentation will be posted on the parish website Your comments and suggestions are always welcome in our mailbox – stalphonsuspastoralcouncil@gmail.com If you have an interest in helping with one of the new initiatives, please let us know. Embrace your call to be a disciple! Closing Prayer – Fr. Quan Thank you for being here and for your participation!