Diocese of Scranton - Parish Life Projects



Diocese of Scranton - Parish Life Projects(Ideas from November 7 and March 2 Meetings)Welcoming Parish, Engaging Parishioners, Building CommunityHospitality and Welcome: The parish welcomes everyone. The parish creates a welcoming environment for all people. To make everyone feel welcome, especially new and occasional worshippers. ProjectsWelcoming new people: Review of welcoming new parishioners ministry (registration form-gifts to share, 3-6 month new parishioner coffee, visit home) + Newcomer visit – show them what the parish has to offer based on their needs + invite them to choose among 3-5 ministries that will connect with other peopleTraining a hospitality team.Coaching the community to be welcoming.Identifying people’s gifts and providing a way for people to explore gifts and use in collaboration (parish covenants)Create new opportunities to engage mature adults (55+), such as a mentoring/apprenticing role, “young at heart” ministry, new service projectsPhysical environment as part of the welcoming—physical limitations and possibilitiesIdeas from November 2016 “Envisioning the Future of Parish Life” EventEvangelization and HospitalitySeek out and invite everyone to accept the good news and to belong to our community, by;involving the whole community in extending a spirit of welcome;strengthening relationships with people in all life circumstances;learning about evangelization and 21st Century approaches; andinitiating deliberate evangelization activities.Create a welcoming ministry groupDevelop a plan to welcomeExplain purpose of groupIdentify/invite membersTrain/educate: other parish input, D.P.L., literatureDevelop a welcoming processDevelop a plan to welcomeDevelop a timelineRecruit peopleImplement the processIdentify who needs to be welcomedParish communityPotential Catholics: advertising, parishioners, RCIALapsed Catholics: office, priests, parishionersNew parishioners: office Sustain a welcoming atmosphereEstablish metric/criteria for successEvaluate welcoming processModify process based on evaluation GiftsThe parish fosters a stewardship spirituality where people’s time, talents, and treasure are cultivated for mission and ministry.To foster a stewardship spirituality where people’s time, talents, and treasure are cultivated for mission and ministry; sustain mission/stewardship through education and leadership.Preparing the callLeadership training and retreatsSharing the pastoral planMinistry formationOngoing discernment: prayer, shard wisdomRediscovering your baptismal callFamily sacramental preparation: godparents, parents, confirmationIdentify strengths: Echoes of Faith, Called and Gifted, Living Your StrengthsNurturing the callDays of reflectionOngoing formation and conferencesParty for progressAcknowledge Living the call Naming the callMentoringRe-apply best practicesFeedback to individual / monitor the ministrySpiritual directionPractical orientation StewardshipTo foster a stewardship spirituality where people’s time, talents, and treasure are cultivated for mission and ministry; sustain mission/stewardship through education and leadership.Personal (time, talent, treasure, spirituality)Intergenerational approaches to time, talent, treasure: children, families, mature adults, older adults/wiserEncourage a spirituality of stewardship: conversion, gratitude of giving back and forward, planning givingParishSpecific fundraising space/resource needs for missionCovenantal (intentional) community: Education: gifts and strengths finder, ministry faith; and responsible relationships: cultivate attitude to give back, tithing, articular expectationsDiocesanDiocesan training/education: stewardship dayAlternatives to diocesan fundraising (annual)CommunityPartnering: interfaith, government, local town, city, foundations/grantsEvangelizationEvangelization: The parish is actively engaged in outreach to those who are no longer involved in parish life and to those who have never been involved in a faith community. To create meaningful contact with the unchurched and disenfranchised; actively seek out and invite everyone to accept the good news and to belong to the Catholic community.ProjectsRCIA-Inspired Projects New Catholics / apprenticeshipsExpanding and enriching RCIA for whole parish renewal RCIA based sacramental prep (marriage, baptism, confirmation, Eucharist)Develop an evangelization lens; discern the best response/programs/resources in our community:#1 develop the community as evangelizers#2 evangelize community#3. outreach to the unaffiliated/unchurchedDefining ourselves as a parish community, demographics, census, neighborhood, etc. Ideas from November 2016 “Envisioning the Future of Parish Life” EventEvangelization and Hospitality: Seek out and invite everyone to accept the good news and to belong to our community, by;involving the whole community in extending a spirit of welcome;strengthening relationships with people in all life circumstances;learning about evangelization and 21st Century approaches; andinitiating deliberate evangelization activities.Form evangelizing communityDevelop living spirituality at the parish levelEncourage faith sharing opportunitiesEducation about evangelization: bulletin, talks, resourcesForm evangelization teamDevelop ways of being approachableIdentify leadersKnow resourcesTrain for dialogue and listeningBe adaptable Outreach and contactIdentity who: transients, unchurched, marginalized, disenfranchised, non Catholic spouses, young adults, religious education families, broken families, marriage preparationTake and make opportunities: BBQ, outreach ministries, sponsor cards, kennel ministry, religious education families, parish visitorsBe welcoming and tolerantSocial media Follow-up after outreach and contactNotify parish office with informationConduct needs assessmentAccompaniment: invite and take to church; assist with pastoral care; escort to social service ministriesEvaluation: how well are we doing?Take care of sacramental/pastoral issues, instruction, etc. Parish participation is important.Expand ServiceService: The parish practices Christian service as essential to its mission through local and global action. The parish fosters a missionary spirit and missionary discipleship in all ages and generations. To empower people to respond to the Gospel call to serve others; expand into a social ministry reflective of the whole of Catholic Social Teaching.ProjectsCreating a service ministry team in a parish or utilize service coordinating teamParish Social MinistryEducation on Catholic way of doing service: reflection, CST, scripture, prayer Become educated about parish social ministry: service, justice, peace-making, care for creation, advocacy (political) Integrate parish social ministry and CST throughout the parish and ministries and groups Organize a regional team to collaborate on regional projects, create a model for regional collaboration on service; connect parish service coordinating teams in a regionPlug into the needs assessment and response already be planned by human services in counties Ideas from November 2016 “Envisioning the Future of Parish Life” EventSocial Ministry: Expand into a social ministry reflective of the whole of Catholic Social Teaching, integrating:charity/outreach responsive to real needs of parishioners and the neighborhoods we serve;advocacy and action on behalf of justice; andpeacemaking at the local, national and global levels.InviteYouth groupSocial justiceIndividual contactPreach / speakCall—who we are as Church (Matthew 25)Give toolsReadAttitude: recognize and respect Listening to storiesRefer to assessmentRecognize biasesReflection Raise awarenessWalk for…CatechesisMediaSpeaker (preach): gospel valuesAssess needsAsk needsWord of mouthContact partnersDemographic informationSustainMentoringProviding replacementsAffirmingLong-term planningEmpower recipients Celebrating successEvaluation: recipients and givers Faith FormationProjectsCatechetical leader formation: at all levelsGetting parish leaders to know the wide range of resources that are available for different spiritual development levels Life Cycle: New models, formats, approaches for age groups in a style that connects with each generation: Millennial, Gen X, Boomers; creative ways/activities to get into AFF; multiple opportunitiesYoung adult project: re-articulate Catholic identityWays for parishes to collaborate on faith formationFamily: Bridge between church and home (family faith formation plan with digital tool to help them progress)Ideas from November 2016 “Envisioning the Future of Parish Life” EventLifelong Faith Formation: Provide life-long religious formation for individuals and families, in ways that:integrate faith and life;address all life stages and circumstances; andstem from well-formed and supported catechetical ministers.FamilyProvide whole family catechesis and nurture faith at home. Family Life: The parish develops strong families by equipping families to grow in faith, nurture the faith of young people, talk about faith at home, and live their faith in daily life. The parish provides whole family catechesis and the resources for faith formation at home. Liturgical catechesisChildren’s liturgy of the WordDiverse cultural celebrationsYouth MassesCommunity buildingBazaars and festivalsPrayer partnersName tag SundayFamily fun nightsLifelong faith formationAdult catechesis: online line, Bishop Barron, Scott Hahn, Edward SriAdult faith sharing: ariseBible studySpirituality/sacramental lifePreparation with parent and childCelebrating world day of marriagePost baptismal relationship – from baptism to first communionEucharistic adorationCreating a culture of vocations (all) ServicesCorporal works of mercySpiritual works of mercyYouthEngage the parish community in understanding the importance of youth ministry.Youth: There is an ongoing engagement with youth and encouragement for the participation in parish life. The parish energizes young people by acknowledging their wisdom.Family outreachMinistry to parentsFacilitate parent/guardian involvementKeep parents up to date on what’s going onIntergenerational activities: babysitting, service or socialYouth community involvementMass participationDiocesan event involvement Student representative to serve on PPCCommunity serviceChurch fundraisers volunteers Educating the communityEstablish a social media presenceNetwork with other parish staffHave students speak at parish organization meeting (KofC, A&R, women’s guild)Utilize parish bulletinStudent written reflections / witness of faithBuild a relationship with the pastorConsult for spiritual guidance/leadershipIntentionally include pastor in planning and implementationAsk pastor to identify students for student leadership teamBudgetAttend meetingsBe a voice from the pulpitDiocesan opportunities ScholarshipsStudent retreatsDoS CongressLight the FireNational conferences Supplemental/resource materials Young AdultsAt a critical time in their faith life, college students and young adults are underserved in the diocese. Serve college communityDevelop infrastructureDevelop business planCreate unique strategyLocation funding: grants, diocese, universityTap into past experience: students, priests, ministersDetermine leadershipStudentParishDiocese: make campus ministry a priority in personnel planning (priests)Train leadershipIdentify needsCatholic universities without priestsCatholic universities with priestsNon-Catholic universities Collaborate with universitiesEngage campus communityEngage community at large Serve young adultsEngage variety of young adultsSocial media/technologyDynamic preachingMarried and singleInvite to ministries in parish: religious education, service, liturgy Collaborate with leadersIdentify and utilize young adult leadersAllow young adult leaders to set agenda and planIdentify needsResearch regional demographicsMarriage preparation and baptismal preparationEngage community at large Find resourcesGrantsWork with neighboring parishesDioceseWithin parishCommunicationTo incorporate use of modern communication media and strategies; everyone in the parish receiving communication through a variety of channels.ProjectsCreate a parish communication team and training for the team on communication methods and approachesShowcase/demonstration of communication methods, case studies, etc. Design a communication plan for the parish to communicate internally and externally – with all ages, involved and not involved in the parish community MissionInsite – how parishioners choose to receive communication – assessmentHow to use social media effectively Reimaging the parish bulletin as a must readBest practices for internal and external parish communication + Diagnostic – how a parish diagnoses the way it communicates – internal and external How parishes market/promote/present themselves; consistency in message and frequency in communicationOrientation for parishioners on how to experience the reimagined format Motivation for paying attention; two-way communication Ideas from November 2016 “Envisioning the Future of Parish Life” EventCommunication: Incorporate use of modern communication media and strategies in order to:meet, connect with and engage people where they are;share our story, inviting parishioners and seekers to understand who we are, where we are going and what we have to offer; and,listen effectively to understand the real hungers and quests of our times.Awareness of communication channelsPros and cons of each channelAddressing individual needs of parishOvercoming fearChannels: email, bulletin/newsletter, calling/phone calls, texting (Flocknote), website, social mediaCommunications ministryDiocesan supportEmpower others and see value in this serviceEducation and trainingWorkshops Resources Website for parishesResearch companies: options, pricing, support offerHistory BulletinOnline calendarMinistry schedules Online giving Using social media for evangelization, communication, and fundraisingFacebook: events, pictures, video, Scripture, “share” Catholic sitesTwitter: Scripture, re-tweet Pope Francis, Bishop BamberaInstagram: pictures (Masses, events), high school/young adults, posters advertisingYouTube: homilies, events, evangelization, iPhone/smartphone or video camera ................
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