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Parish Profile

This profile is based on the one done in 1999 by the pastor, Pastoral Council, School Council, Finance Council, School and Parish Staff. To expedite the process, this March 2007 version has been updated by the Pastor and Members of the Parish Staff.

Parish Vision Statement

We, the Catholic community of St. Aloysius, guided by Holy Scripture and Church Tradition with the help of the Holy Spirit, are working towards the Kingdom of God on Earth. In faith, we gather for Eucharistic worship and sacramental life, we continue to develop our personal relationships with Jesus Christ, we share love for one another, and we reach out to the needs of others both in our parish and beyond.

Demographics

St. Aloysius Parish is located in northern Wood County, Bowling Green, Ohio. Bowling Green is the county seat and has a population of about 29,636 of which about 16% is Catholic. Bowling Green State University, with a student body of 18,000, has been estimated to possibly have a 40% Catholic population. While Bowling Green is only 3.1% Hispanic, St. Aloysius is significantly more than that (including towns such as Weston and others with a higher percentage).

The parish is located near the center of the city. It is surrounded by farmland and a number of small communities, such as Bradner, Wayne, Weston, Pemberville, Tontogany, Portage, Jerry City, and Haskins.

Parish membership is diverse with significant numbers of people in all walks of life, with many well educated. This includes those engaged in farming, business, industry, service sectors and professionals. St. Thomas More, is designated a personal parish for University students and staff, but St. Aloysius has a good representation of faculty, staff and university students among its members.

St. Aloysius has approximately 1100 households and approximately 3100 members. While BGSU remains the single largest employer in the city, there are a number of manufacturing facilities. In addition to Woodland Mall, in recent years BG has acquired a Meijer's and a Walmart.

Staff

The parish staff includes the following (most of these are part time):
* Mary K. Williams: Principal Minister of St. Aloysius Grade and Jr. High School
* Jean Bargiel: Director of Religious Education for all ages
* Charlotte Shanks: High School RE and Youth Ministry
* Barb Whitman: Social Concerns and help with some Youth Ministry
* _______________: A new R.C.I.A. director will have to be found
* Ann Corrigan: Director of Parish Music and Leader of Liturgy Committee
* Allan Dieball: Organist
* Denise Foos: Bookkeeper and Finance Assistant for parish and school
* Sharon Hall: Administrative Assistant & Steward of Ministries and Gifts.
* Marilyn Oliphant: Parish Secretary and St. Vincent de Paul Social Outreach.
* Terry Adler: Part-time Secretary:
* Larry Sattler: Maintenance for Church & School
* Steve Sattler: Part-time Maintenance.

Deacons: Deacon Ramon Llanas assists with RCIA and preparation for various sacraments. He assists with Mass on Sundays and preaches at some of the bi-lingual masses. Phil Avina, we hope will be ordained as a deacon in 2008. This will give the incoming pastor a year to help form Phil and see how he can best help the parish as a deacon.

Some Organizations And Committees

Pastoral Council - visionary group, currently seeking more members.
Finance Council - currently reviewing their role and parish practices
Maintenance Committee-a very practical and very helpful group
Liturgy Committee - studies, educates and plans various liturgies
School Council-reliable and on task
School Development Committee- very active especially this past year
CYO/Athletic Board - function well, with minimal guidance
Fall Event / Parish Dinner Committee - need to get a Co-chair for following year

Related Organizations
St. Vincent de Paul Society -
These members of the parish are also responsible for St. Aloysius Food Pantry.
Knights of Columbus - Holy Trinity Council - includes others not from St. Al's
Scouts-- Cub Scouts very strong; Boy Scouts doing alright; Brownies doing well.

The Sacred Liturgy - Mass And The Sacraments

Sunday Mass: From September through May there are currently four weekend Masses. In June, July and August there are three weekend liturgies. We have worked to develop a unique character for each of these mass times. Average October Mass attendance continues around 1000 persons weekly. The number of parishioners continues to rise, but the mass attendance does not, meaning the percentage of those attending continues to decrease.

Bi-Lingual Mass - 3rd Sunday of the Month at Noon

Children's Liturgy of the Word is at the 10:00 AM Mass weekly.

Class Masses: At 10:00 AM, each Class from Kindergarten through Senior High has a special mass once a year.

Special Events at Mass, include: Anointing of the Sick (once a year); Blessing of little children (once a year in October); remembering the deceased (November and May); Scout Sunday; and CYO (twice @ year).

The Weekday Mass schedule varies. At 7:30 AM attendance varies between 25 and 50 people. During the school year mass on Thursdays is at 2:10 PM. On Wednesdays we have some School class masses at 9:15 AM and some Religious Education Masses at 7:10 PM.

First Holy Communion is celebrated on the first weekend of May. It involves students in Grade 2 from both the public school and St. Aloysius School. Typically they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation the previous Fall. In Grade 4 the parents and children have a Penance enhancement experience.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is scheduled every Saturday from 4:00 to 4:30 PM and the confessor remains as needed. In addition, individual times for the sacrament may be scheduled with the pastor.
There is a Communal Penance Service scheduled at least twice annually. Attendance varies but on the average from 85 to 125 people participate.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated annually for students in Grade 7 both from the public school as well as St. Aloysius School.

The Sacrament of Matrimony. Two Engaged Couples Conferences are scheduled annually.

Eucharistic Exposition is from Friday 8:00 AM to Saturday 8:00 AM in Clare Hall Chapel.

Liturgical Ministers: We have a full complement of servers, lectors, cantors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Most are well trained. We are short on greeters and could use a few more ushers.

Liturgical Music: St. Aloysius parishioners are aware that one of the major priorities of a Catholic parish is the sacred liturgy. We have a Folk Choir at 10:00 AM. We draw from musicians at BGSU to take part in the Canticle Choir at Noon. A new pipe organ was installed late in 1998. A Music Scholarship Fund has been established to encourage professional training in music. We also received a generous bequest to support our Liturgical Music.

Liturgy Planners do seasonal planning. Petitions, etc are prepared by 3 individuals, and edited by the pastor. An Arts and Environment Committee prepares the worship space for the major feasts and seasons

St. Aloysius Elementary School And Junior High School

The total school enrollment is 233 students. The principal-minister, Mary K. Williams, is a member of the Parish Staff, working collaboratively with her faculty and communicating with the pastor and parish staff. There are 13 classrooms staffed by 13 teachers, including 5 with Masters Degrees. We also have two aides. Other staff members include School Administrative Assistant, Librarian, Physical Education, Auxiliary Services personnel, and Federal Title I personnel. Although St. Aloysius School opened as recently as 1960, the school enjoys strong support from many parishioners. It is viewed to be a very vital part of the parish ministry.

School Finances: Our goal has been to spend 50% of parish income on our school ministry. While parish income has increased about 3% annually, school expenses have increased about 7% annually. The 2002 Parish-Diocesan Campaign has helped bridge the gap, but it is finished. In 2006-07 we started an Annual School Fund, which is also intended to help bridge the growing disparity between parish income and school expenses.

A School Development Committee was formed a few years ago. We hired ISPD to work with us during 2006. We have a plan, but need to do some further prioritizing. In addition to the Core Development Group we have four subcommittees: Pride and Beautification, Alumni, Communication & Publications and the Annual Fund.

School Strengths:

• A Catholic Christian environment and identity with the ongoing religious formation of students, a good sacramental preparation program involving parents with students and staff, and the opportunity for students to plan and celebrate the sacred liturgy.

• Dedicated, caring and professional principal, faculty and support staff

• Curriculum based on diocesan guidelines and state standards

• A computer lab Learning Center for Technology and a computerized library

• Every classroom has 6 student computers, as well as a computer for the teacher

• A Resource Center, gymnasium, and adequate-sized classrooms.

• Opportunity for Spanish class in grades 6, 7 & 8

• Good working relationship with B.G.S.U.

•  Extended Day Program - prior to and after school daily.

• Fully accredited through Ohio Catholic Schools Accrediting Association.

•  A growing School Endowment Fund, begun in 1991 and currently at $407,941

• Opportunities for remedial work -tutoring and enrichment.

• Busing from four public school districts.

• Hot Lunch Program in conjunction with the public schools

• Teachers' salaries are currently 80% of public school salaries.

• Mass on Thursday with grades "partnered", plus some small group masses.

• Junior High strong core curriculum, with several elective programs.

School Challenges:

• Insufficient space for school office - lack of privacy, crowded conditions for principal's office and workspace.

• Location of school offices in relationship to school entrance

• Some would like us to have more classroom space

• Keeping up enrollment and whether to have two sections of a particular grade

• Scheduling conflicts because of using Hartman Hall for school lunch program, parish funeral luncheons, and our physical education program.

• Playground is also impacted by Funerals.

• Art program need strengthening in all grades.

• The difficulty of having the weekly liturgy trying to touch all grade levels.

• Some may wish to have the Sacrament of Reconciliation more often.

• Alumni program needs strengthening.

• Sharing of classrooms with the Wednesday evening Religious Education students

High School Parishioners

Most of the high school parishioners attend public schools since the parish does not have a secondary school. A small number of students attend Catholic High Schools in Toledo. There is busing to St. John High School. A good representation of high school students participate in the C.Y.O. basketball and volleyball. Only a small percentage participate in Sunday Mass.

Religious Education/Formation

Weekly religious education classes are held from September through May. There are 9 teachers and 6 aides in the elementary level; There are 140 elementary students, and 30 junior high students. Participation at the elementary level is good.

Strengths:

• Dedicated and caring director and staff.  Teachers are volunteers.

• Good textual materials; good environment.

• Good relationship with school faculty and administration.

• Strong parental support from significant number of parents.

• Good communication with parents.

• Good sacramental preparation program with parental involvement.

• Openness of staff to grow in faith.

Weaknesses:

• Need for ongoing religious education on the part of volunteer staff.

• Sharing of day school facilities creates some inconvenience for teachers involved in this program.

• Time limits and bad weather interruptions.

• Limited opportunities for Sacred Liturgy and Sacrament of Reconciliation

Adult Religious Formation

The R.C.I.A. has had a capable and dedicated part-time director, who works collaboratively with a team of interested parishioners and sponsors. Mark McDonough who has coordinated it the past two years, is leaving. The Mystagogy and Neophyte phases have struggled. Since we often have students from BGSU, we must work around the university schedule, with graduations in early May.

Parish Retreats have been very helpful to many. After 9 retreats we have had well over 200 attend. Sharon Hall is the leader for the next Retreat. The Pastor is an important part of the Retreat Team, as the Spiritual Leader. We have just formed a Retreat Focus team to help the continuation of these retreats.

We have a weekly Bible Study for women, led by Linda Kettinger. Phil Avina coordinates our Small Groups which meet during Lent and in the Fall. We have a Parish Mission bi-annually. No Mission presenter has yet been scheduled for 2009. FAITH gatherings take place for one hour 8 Sundays a year. The DRE and Pastor have offered various Adult Religious Education Classes, but they have not been well attended.

Most parishioners tend to be moderate in their approach to church. However, there are some who lean toward a more traditional Catholicism and some who are more desirous to implement the reforms of Vatican II. There is a strong Eucharistic devotion and rosary devotion among a good number of the parishioners. The parish has participated in the Louis de Montfort Consecration to Mary on five occasions or more. There is a weekly Cenacle for priests in the Clare Hall Chapel (Marian Movement of Priests). About 30 people have attended Catholic Identity and at least 5 people have attended one or more years of Ministry Formation. JustFaith (33 week formation process) led by Barb Whitman, has been presented twice and 5 or 6 members of St. Al's have taken part.

Other Issues For Attention

The Pastoral Council for a number of years has worked on "evangelization" and in recent years on Stewardship. Various efforts have been made, but both areas need ongoing attention.
Both the parish and school leadership are committed to encouraging the attitude of stewardship and we have increased Sharon Hall's hours so she can work on stewardship 5 hours per week.

Our relationship with St. Thomas More Parish has continued to grow during the past 8 years, including: joint staff meetings about 7 times a year; joint Vacation Bible School, cooperation on some RCIA events; and celebrating our Feast Days (June 22 and 23) with a picnic. Barb Whitman provides leadership for us on the Tri-Parish Social Justice Committee (STM, St. Rose & St.Al's), which has been formed through JustFaith training in 2004-05 & 2005-06.

The parish is in reasonably stable financial condition with an involved Parish Finance Council. Budgets for school and parish have become standard procedure. We are working to carefully monitor finances. We have a Parish Endowment Fund in addition to the School Endowment Fund.

Big Project: We are in the midst of demolishing 3 houses on Enterprise Street, adjacent to Clare Hall. The most likely plan would be to construct a parking lot there late this summer.

St. Aloysius is responsible for ministry at Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green and 3 nursing home facilities and two assisted living facilities. The Wood County Justice Center jail is located here, but minimal ministry is currently done there by the pastor.

St. Aloysius Spiritual Supporters: This is a ministry by and for those not able to be involved with active ministry. They pray and make sacrifices for the whole church.

Mission outreach: We have had a 6 year relationship with Father Bill Auth's Maya Mission in Merida, Mexico. However that situation has changed and so our relationship is also in transition. We take a turn at the local "Martha's Soup Kitchen" about 4 times a year. We support Bowling Green Pregnancy Center with several events, including our Rummage Sale in June.

Ecumenical involvement: We have co-hosted the Epiphany Service and other services in past years. The Pastor has been involved with the monthly Bowling Green Ministerial Association and the weekly Lectionary Study Group.