PARISH DEVELOPMENT
PARISH CONVOCATION A HUGE SUCCESS!!!
On Monday, June 8 over 200 parishioners participated in our Parish Convocation. The Convocation was an opportunity for parishioners to give their opinions and ideas about the future of St. Aloysius Parish. The event was held as part of the long-range planning process taking place at the parish.
A presentation was given on the history of the process and the work of the Parish Planning Team over the past five months. Attendees were then divided into small groups – facilitated by a member of the Development Core Team. The small groups discussed the 33 challenges that surfaced in the planning process, with parishioners offering solutions to the challenges.
To help prioritize the challenges and determine where to start with implementation, all participants picked their top 17 challenges. A vote was then conducted allowing all participants to see the top priorities (due to a number of “ties” in the top challenges, the top 11 are listed in the next column).
NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS
The Final Plan will be presented to the Core Team in early
August. In the meantime, the Core Team is beginning to organize the
components of implementing the parish long-range advancement plan. At
the Convocation, over 100 parishioners expressed an interest in serving
on an Implementation Team. If you would like to become involved with
making the parish’s vision come alive, please complete the Implementation Team Sign-Up. 
TOP ELEVEN PRIORITIES
- Challenge D – 1: How can we engage our youth in Catholic Faith Formation?
- Challenge B – 2: How can we encourage people to participate, share talents, and identify leaders and volunteers?
- Challenge F – 1: How do we develop and implement a master plan for facilities to address: 1) Maintenance and upkeep of existing facilities, 2) Further utilization of current spaces, and 3) Expansion to meet future needs (ex: gathering space).
- Challenge E – 2: How can we effectively communicate, both within the parish and to the wider community the many opportunities and events involving St. Al’s?
- Challenge B – 1: How can we be more welcoming?
- Challenge C – 3: How do we invite, encourage involvement and personal commitment?
- Challenge B – 3: How can we find out about needs of the parishioners?
- Challenge B – 4: How can we evangelize to young adults, keeping in mind the potential need to segregate high school students from those ages 20 to 40?
- Challenge E – 3: How can we create and enhance opportunities that encourage and increase Parish Life involvement across all age groups?
- Challenge C – 6: How do we create and build community?
- Challenge F – 2: How do we develop a financial strategy that meets the current budget and captures new and creative sources of funding?
Planning Area
A: Liturgy & Worship
Facilitators:
Dorothy Ann Strange, Dave Kubacki
Areas of Focus: Music
Ministry,
Environment, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers, Altar Servers,
Adoration, Ushers, Prayer Groups, Devotions
Planning Area
B: Outreach & Evangelization
Facilitators: Judy
Myerholtz, Beth Cook, Mike Korte
Areas of Focus: Parish
Outreach, St.
Vincent de Paul, Bereavement, Senior Citizens,
Evangelization, Missions, Evangelization, Knights of Columbus, Parish
Welcoming process, Visits to
the Sick, Babysitting, Hispanic Ministry, Parish Visitation, Domestic
& Global Social Missions
Planning Area
C: Stewardship & Development
Facilitators:
Tom Williams, Patti Ankney,
Areas of Focus:
Stewardship Process,
Parish Communication, Technology, Parish Website,
Long-Range Advancement Plan (LRAP), Planned Giving/Memorials,
Volunteers, Parish
Publications
Planning Area
D: Faith Formation
Facilitators:
Sue Reicosky, Todd Cramer
Areas of Focus: Religious
Education,
RCIA, Bible Studies, Sacramental Life, Adult Education,
Home Schooling, Small Faith Based Groups, Baptism Follow-Up, Retreats,
Parish Mission, Young
Adult Formation
Planning Area
E: Parish Life
Facilitators:
Joe Boyle, Linda Ernsthausen, Dale Schroeder
Areas of Focus: Scouting
Program, Youth
Ministry, CYO, Young Adults, Singles, Social Events,
Senior Citizens, Adult Athletics
Planning Area F:
Administration &
Finance
Facilitators:
Linda Amos, Joan Waddle, Michael Tretter, Denise Foos
Areas of Focus:
Parish Operations,
Staff/Personnel, Buildings/Grounds/Facilities, Master Plan for
Facilities, Property Acquisition Plan, Long Term Financial Plan
NOTE: New ministries can be developed through the LRAP Implementation
process. To learn more
about becoming involved with the work of the PPT, contact the Parish
Office at (419) 352-4195.