1. DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH ON MISSION BEECHVIEW-BROOKLINE FOCUS GROUP
(For Our Lady of Loreto, Resurrection, Saint Catherine, and Saint Pius X parishes)
MAY 8, 2017, 7:00-8:00 PM at SAINT PIUS X

2. MAY 8, 2017, 7:00-8:00 PM at SAINT PIUS X
AGENDA
BEECHVIEW-BROOKLINE FOCUS GROUP
MAY 8, 2017, 7:00-8:00 PM at SAINT PIUS X
I. OPENING PRAYER & WELCOME :00 – 7:10
Father Jim: Bless the Lord, my soul.
All: And all that is within me bless His holy name.
Father Jim: Let us pray:
All: God, we gather as your people; we gather as the people of your church, not our own. We ask that you remain in us throughout our faith journey here and always. We ask that you guide us and keep us on the right path, so that we follow your will, not our own. Give us the knowledge and grace to understand and be open to one another, for this is where it all begins; this is the future of your church. Be with us as we journey toward the future. Fill us with hope and give us the grace to travel this journey in your name. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
BRIEF REVIEW OF PROCESS THUS FAR & INTRODUCTION OF NEW PROPOSED MODEL 7:10 - 7:25
III. SMALL-GROUP DISCUSSION AT EACH TABLE 7:25 – 7:40
  Please use the question sheets at your tables.
Please choose a spokesperson from each table to present to the larger group
IV. SMALL GROUPS SHARE RESPONSES 7:40 – 7:50
V. REVIEW OF NEXT STEPS :50 – 7:55
Survey Monkey Handout &Timelines
VI. CLOSING PRAYER :55 – 8:00

3. HISTORY & TIMELINE OF ON MISSION FOR THE CHURCH ALIVE
DATE MILESTONE
• Thousands of parishioners gathered in intentional prayer at their parishes.
April 2015 – April 2016 • Consultation priests, deacons, and more than 1,000 lay leaders
• On Mission Commission, an advisory body of parishioners convened to advise Bishop Zubik. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
May 2015 – July 2016 • The 80+ members of the Commission and its subcommittees have been engaged in
extensive study and the creation of DRAFT models for parishes and schools.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
February • Pastors recruit Parish Team Leaders to serve on On Mission Teams.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
April-May • Parish Team Leaders participate in training.
May-June •Pastors receive District Snapshot and share with Parish Team Leaders.
August • Clergy receive DRAFT models.
September 26, • Pastors and Parish Team Leaders participate in the 1st District Level Consultations.
October 6, 2016
October 10, • Parishes host 2 parish consultations to share models and gather feedback
December 1, 2016
February • Pastors and Parish Team Leaders participate in Cluster Level Consultations.
March 2017
April May 2017 • Pastors and Parish Team Leaders participate
in 2nd District Level Consultations.
June • On Mission Commission refines models based on feedback and submits
December recommendations to Bishop Zubik
Early • Bishop Zubik announces his decisions and timelines for implementation.

4. An option similar to this grouping was presented in the fall 2016 consultation. That group was comprised of St. Bernard, St. Winifred, Our Lady of Loreto, St. Pius X and Resurrection (Model 7 – Parish C).
Another option presented showed the 5 parishes in Brookline and Beechview forming a grouping (Model 8 – Parish C). This received the most favorable reaction from those parishes. The 5 parishes are currently a cluster and were part of an ad hoc process for two years, with the aim of creating one new parish. That ad hoc effort was suspended when the On Mission initiative began.
For purposes of geographic proximity, vibrancy and ministry this group was formed. It is 1 mile from St. Bernard to St. Pius X. The Brookline/Beechview parishes are also in close proximity to one another.

5. – St. Catherine of Siena (Beechview) – Our Lady of Loreto
Parish Grouping
– St. Bernard
– St. Catherine of Siena (Beechview)
– Our Lady of Loreto
– St. Pamphilus
– St. Pius X
– Resurrection (Brookline)
3,900 weekly Mass goers in 2016
Proposed Campuses
(must accommodate Latino community): •
Current 6
End state 3
Priests assigned: •
Current 6
2018 4
End state 2

7. Parish Grouping Categories
The Implementation Work Group is refining Implementation Categories to assist with the Blueprint- (see example below)
Implementation Category A B C
Characteristics
Parishes struggle financially and/or
Are in demographically challenged areas or face
some other pastoral/vitality issue
Or indicate readiness to proceed
Parishes financial viability does not extend past 2-3 years
Sacramental
demographics show noticeable decline
Initial conversations for collaboration have begun
Typically larger and more complex parishes
Blueprint/ Implementation Timeline
Get to end state in 1 year
Get to end state in 1-3 years
Get to end state in 3-5 years

8. All pastors and priests receive their assignments at the same time
The timing of when parishes merge is dictated by the situation
A “Blueprint” for the merger is developed and includes:
Timeline for merging the parishes
What is needed to merge the parishes
How many campuses to be used
Initial thoughts on staffing
A guideline for development of ministry
The process through which the pastor and parish leadership create new identity and local ownership

9. On Mission for The Church Alive! Parish Focus Group Feedback Form
May 8, 2017
Table Facilitator Name: __________________________________________
Focus Group Date: ____________________Number of Parishioners at Table: _________
What are the strengths of the Parish Grouping?
2) Is this Parish Grouping the best relationship of parishes? Why or Why not?
3) What alternative would you propose to make the Parish Grouping better?
4) What are your concerns/suggestions related to implementation for this Parish Grouping?
5) Please note top themes of feedback from parishioners related to this Parish Grouping.

10. SURVEY MONKEY LINK TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK:
FEEDBACK MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN
MIDNIGHT THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017
If you need assistance accessing a computer, or entering your feedback through this link, please contact your parish On Mission team members or Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) Facilitators. PPC Facilitators are: Saint Catherine – Rick Arzenti; Our Lady of Loreto – Fran Stewart; Saint Pius X – Joe Costanzo; Resurrection – Bridget Burns