1. A DEMONSTRATION ON HOW TO APPROACH THE SYNOD QUESTIONS

2. OBJECTIVES OF THIS EXERCISE Objective One: The Theory = To understand the meaning of the synod questions Objective Two: The Practicum = To demonstrate its application by using two parish synod reports

3. 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?”

4. 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

5. 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.”

6. 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

7. AN ANALYSIS OF THE SYNOD QUESTIONS

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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” points: - “Sustainability” and “drive” 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

11. ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONS 5,6,7 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

12. ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONS 5,6,7 + provide directions for the future + provide corrective measures

13. PARISH PASTORAL MODELS OFTWO PARISHES: HOLY CROSS & SACRED HEART, OLD HARBOUR

14. 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”

15. BROAD DIRECTION SACRED HEART Captured 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...”

16. 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

17. DECESION – GOALS & OBJECTIVES = Leadership = Service = Stewardship

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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

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

24. SUSTAINABILITY SACRED HEART Embarked on a pastoral analysis of the parish: Strengths and Weaknesses

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. EVALUATION HOLY CROSS Question 5: Catechesis – Based on the measurable objectives the parish achieved the following: = Introduction of Adult Faith Update = Restructuring of Catechetical programme = Increasing the number of catechists = Formation programme for new catechists

29. HOLY CROSS = Introduction of Catechetical Ministry Fair and registration on Catechetical Sunday = Increase enrollment of candidates in each programme = Catechetical section in Sunday bulletin

30. 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

31. 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

32. EVALUATION Question 6: Obstacles Evangelization & 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. EVALUATION Sacred Heart, Old Harbour No detail evaluation offered.

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