Dayton Catholic Urban Presence Strategic Plan Proposal

Introduction 

As the body of Christ, worshipping and serving within the urban community of Dayton, we seek to create a vibrant Catholic presence among those who are our neighbors and our extended neighbors. We seek to create a new form of church and to create within our own hearts a new way of living the Gospel, guided by the Spirit.

Building on a long history of fidelity to the Gospel, our Catholic Traditions and strong ministry to the people of Dayton, we want to more intentionally call ourselves to a vibrant expression of our Catholic faith into the future. Therefore, we strive to build on what we have and to make viable what we feel called to be.

Strengthened by these desires, we have laid out for ourselves a bold plan of action. We envisioned our preferred future; we assessed where we are today; and we developed a plan of action.

We ask all who read this to partner with us as we strive to be faithful to our vision, our beliefs and our actions of commitment.

History
 
In 2003, a representative Vision Task Force was convened to explore how we can be a viable Dayton Catholic Urban Presence. After significant dialogue, research, and prayer, our diverse faith communities committed ourselves to becoming two Pastoral Regions serving the urban area of Dayton, Ohio. Strong in our faith and our belief in community, we made a choice to

We challenged ourselves to create the community and structures necessary for this commitment to become reality. Many parishioners, members of various Committees and Commissions, our Pastoral Staffs and people from the local civic community stepped up to the challenge to assess what this commitment would take. They looked lovingly and daringly into a new way of being Church. This plan has come into being and seeks implementation after three years of wide consultation, community involvement and decision-making. 

Identity

Our two Pastoral Regions are a part of the urban area of Dayton Ohio. Pastoral Region I comprises the current parishes of Corpus Christi, Our Lady of Mercy, and Queen of Martyrs. The second Pastoral Region consists of Holy Family, St. -Agnes, St. Benedict the Moor, and St. Mary Parishes. We envision each of our Pastoral Regions as a community of faith communities. One of our gifts is our diversity: we are young and old; we are African-American, Hispanic and Caucasian; traditional and non-traditional families; we each have unique gifts and perspectives to bring to the life of the community. While rooted in the urban area as a faith community, we come from over 47 different zip codes. We offer diverse ministries and outreach programs to those in our neighborhoods. We draw on a rich history of pastoral leadership provided by the Archdiocese and the Congregation of the Holy Ghost. We work in collaboration with agencies serving our people. We are committed to empowering the laity to take more ownership for the life of Church. We sustain a strong commitment to Catholic education, faith formation and furthering our faith to all those who seek a deeper union with God.
 
Mission

As a viable Catholic Church in the Dayton urban area, our mission is to sanctify, teach and build up the community in the spirit of the Gospel, our Catholic faith and Tradition. We are called to transform our faith communities and neighborhoods through evangelization, prayer and hospitality in concert with the broader Church and our civic community.
 
Building the Future - Our Vision

By July 1, 2007, or by the effective date of the creation of the two new parishes, but no later than 2010, our two Pastoral Regions will be two distinct Parishes in which numerous faith communities exist, and who share equally the responsibility for providing a viable Catholic presence throughout all neighborhoods in our Dayton urban area.

We anticipate the assignment of two Archdiocesan priests and the continued presence of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost in support of this new configuration (details to be worked out as we move forward).
 
Our Distinctive Commitment 

As the Body of Christ, we embrace this Vision. It flows from:
The Gospel mandates
The social teachings of the Catholic Church
Our fundamental call to:

Taking Action
 
The following are commitments we make to actualize our Mission and Vision.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Worship

Introduction: Paramount to any of our commitments is the commitment to the spiritual and liturgical needs of our parishioners and those who are seeking a closer union with God. Eucharist is the heart and center of our faith life. We seek to provide multiple opportunities for Eucharist, as well as other expressions of prayer, devotions, and ritual, so that our faith can be nourished, strengthened, and grow in our lives, our homes and neighborhoods. To further this commitment, our two Pastoral Regions commit ourselves to the following goal.
 
Goal 1: By 2007, our two Pastoral Regions will provide for the spiritual development of our parishioners centered in the Eucharist and supported by diverse prayer forms.

Strategies:
1.1 Establish a Worship Commission in each Pastoral Region by July 1, 2006.
a. Define this Worship Commission’s mandate and scope of service.b. Modify existing guidelines to service the new Pastoral Regions’ configurations and circumstances.c. Create a plan of action for transitioning the current liturgical schedule to the new schedule of three Masses each weekend per Pastoral Region, as well as the daily Mass schedule, and put this into effect by July 1, 2007.
d. Create other prayer services and rituals to augment the spiritual life of the parishioners.
e. Work with St. Agnes in establishing their site as a site for spiritual renewal and other prayer celebrations.

Lead Agent: Worship Commission in collaboration with existing Pastoral Councils and Worship Commissions.
 
1.2 Build a more united community of faith throughout the two Pastoral Regions through pulpit sharing and various communal liturgies within each Pastoral Region, and/or for both Pastoral Regions.
a. Provide for an Advent and Lenten Communal Reconciliation Service in each
Pastoral Region.
b. Provide for an annual Communal Anointing Mass in each Pastoral Region.
c. Create and implement a “Heritage Mass” in each Pastoral Region by July, 2009.d. Provide a schedule of pulpit exchanges within each Pastoral Region throughout the time of transition into this new structure.
e. Provide, and encourage the development of, special prayer/liturgical events (e.g., Evening Prayer, Retreats, Rosary, Taize, Centering, etc.) reflective of the diverse prayer styles in our Pastoral Regions at the St. Agnes facility.
f. Provide opportunities for Mass and the celebration of other sacraments by the students of the CUP Network of Elementary School(s).

Lead Agent: Worship Commission.
1.3 Provide education and formation for Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Musicians and Hospitality Ministers to reflect a new culture and spirit among the emerging Pastoral Regions.
a. Conduct an audit of how these ministries are currently expressed noting similarities, differences, and places of change or new expressions.
b. Determine the style, form, and spirit that would reflect a vibrant, praying community respective of the different cultures and age groups present in the Pastoral Regions.
c. Develop in-service education and formational opportunities for those interested in continuing/beginning these ministerial roles.
d. Develop a commissioning ceremony for those serving in each of the Pastoral Regions by July 1, 2007.

Lead Agent: Worship Commission, in conjunction with those presently involved in these ministries.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Pastoral Ministries

Introduction: In fidelity to our mission and vision, we desire to form a Pastoral Staff of dynamic, faith-filled and competent people committed to creating a vibrant Catholic presence in service of the neighborhoods of our urban community. We will function as one Pastoral Staff in each region. Recognizing the diversity of gifts, we seek to match gifts with roles. To initiate this sense of a community of faith communities, our two Pastoral Regions commit ourselves to the following goal.

Goal 2: Identify a qualified professional and pastoral staff of 2 Pastoral Administrators, 2 Pastors, and a team of Pastoral Associates (the number to be determined based on what will best serve our Mission and Vision) to oversee the following areas:
Liturgical Ministry
Faith Formation and Religious Education Ministry
Pastoral Care Ministry
Social Action and Evangelization Ministry
Youth Ministry
Pastoral Administration Ministry
Strategies:
2.1 Conduct a search for a Pastoral Administrator for Pastoral Ministry and for a Pastoral Administrator for Administrative Ministries.
a. Develop a job description and personnel packet for both positions.
b. Establish a search committee
c. Assess current personnel’s gifts, job experience, performance, length of service and interest in the positions.d. If present staff is not available, determine further search process.
e. Advertise openings.
f. Conduct interviews and make recommendations to the Executive Committee for approval for hiring by July 1, 2006.
Lead Agent: Executive Committee, in conjunction with Search Committee.
2.2 Conduct a search for Pastoral Associates.
a. Develop job descriptions and personnel packets for each position.
b. Determine which positions need to be unique to each Pastoral Region and where one Pastoral Associate can serve both Pastoral Regions.
c. Establish a search committee responsible for the search process for both Pastoral Regions.
d. Assess current personnel’s gifts, job experience, performance, length of service and interest in the positions.e. If present staff is not available, determine further search process
f. Determine the mandate and scope of responsibilities for the committee.
g. Advertise openings.
h. Conduct interviews and make recommendations to the Pastoral Administrative Team for approval for hiring.

Lead Agent: Executive Committee in conjunction with Search Committee.

2.3 Develop a regular budget line for continuing education, for professional consultation and support, and for ongoing training and support for other Pastoral Staff and volunteers in the area of urban ministry and multi-cultural environments.
a. Develop a realistic budget to cover the desired activities.
b. Seek potential grant money to support this budget, and assess alternative services provided by social services, educational systems, and other Catholic/private and/or public agencies available in the urban area as possible resources.

Lead Agent: Executive Committee.

2.4 Conduct a needs assessment within the neighborhoods to ascertain how to modify existing ministries, or create new ones, for a more effective Catholic presence
a. Review needs assessments, surveys, or informal data currently on file at the existing parishes, and available through the CUP Process.
b. Discuss with other church leaders and heads of social agencies their insights and research regarding needs in the area.
c. Determine what other information needs to be gathered, the approach, and analysis needed to reframe the ministries.
d. Create an Evangelization Committee to conduct the research and to discern options.
e. Present recommendations to the Pastoral Councils by July 1, 2007, with implementation to occur by July 1, 2008.

Lead Agent: Evangelization Committee and Pastoral Councils, in conjunction
with Pastoral Associates and Pastoral Administrative Team.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Transportation and Accessibility

Introduction: We have a great desire to offer our variety of rich liturgical and pastoral experiences to all people. Recognizing that the new structure of our communities as two Parishes may have a dramatic effect in terms of access to such, we are committed to providing accessibility to all members of our faith communities, as well as to the larger neighborhoods in which we serve. To this end, we commit to the following goal.
 
Goal 3: To assess and develop a transportation and accessibility plan relating to liturgical celebrations, diverse ministries, education, youth, and other pastoral needs.

Strategies:
 
3.1 Create a plan to respond to the transportation and accessibility needs of the two Pastoral Regions
a. Create a Transportation Committee, with representation from each Pastoral Region.
b. Executive Committee will develop the mandate and scope of their work.
c. Assess parishioners’ transportation and accessibility needs.d. Research feasible transportation scenarios including use of volunteers, purchasing of vehicle (s), contracted services, along with insurance, personnel and other cost issues.
e. Research feasible accessibility options.
f. Present recommendation to Pastoral Councils for consideration for their Parish budgets at least by the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

Lead Agent: Executive Committee with Pastoral Associates responsible for Liturgy and for Pastoral Care and a Transportation Committee.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Catholic Elementary School Education

Introduction: One of the greatest responsibilities we hold as Catholics is the imparting of our faith to our children and to provide them with an education that is grounded in the social teachings of the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While our Pastoral Regions have a significant elderly population, we have young Catholic families among us who want their children to attend a Catholic School. Given our commitment to our neighborhoods which comprise of children of other faith traditions or who are un-churched, we see a ministerial call to invite them to experience our rich Catholic traditions and to provide them an educational community where there is a commitment for their on-going academic, physical, and emotional development. Given our setting and unique situation, we desire to create an interdependent school network that collaborates with the community to provide educational excellence with an emphasis on Catholic values and traditions. We see this network providing a more effective and efficient system for providing quality Catholic education to a student population of 900-1000 with the potential of providing services and collaboration with the second tier of Catholic schools.
Goal 4: To develop an educational plan that fosters a strong Catholic elementary school education that is financially, spiritually and educationally viable for the next ten years.

Strategies:
4.1 Submit to the Miami Educational Commission an initial proposal for decreasing the number of school buildings, revamping the academic curriculum, and creating a new governance structure that allows for greater network, consistency and financial viability.
a. Special Ad Hoc group reviews research from the School Task Force and develops a proposal.
b. Special Ad Hoc group presents proposal according to Miami Educational Commission’s timeline.c. Maintain the ongoing timeline, approval process, and information request for implementing change in the school’s structures and academic focus.4.2 Request of the current Facilities Task Force and Administrative/Finance/ Governance Task Force an assessment of existing buildings and finances to determine potential placement of schools; the cost of renovation; the cost of building new.
4.3 Create three special ad hoc groups to:
a. Assess the academic and faith formation needs of students living in a global and highly technological world and create a plan of action for upgrading the existing curriculum.
b. Assess the social service needs of families and students in the area and the available resources for providing support to school families.
c. Assess the Pastoral Regions’ financial capacities and development capacities for providing Catholic Education at an affordable tuition rate as well as provide just compensation packets to administrators, faculty and staff.4.4 Create a governance structure and an administrative model for centralizing the school’s administrative and development functions.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Facilities

Introduction: In fidelity to our vision and mission, we are called to be good stewards of our buildings, grounds and equipment. In light of this we will assess these resources in terms of their capacity for us to be a viable Catholic presence; to respond to the needs of those we are called to serve; and to manage our finances wisely.

Goal 5: Maximize the utilization of our facilities in light of our Mission and Vision and determine the use of buildings not needed to further the Mission and Vision.
 
Strategies:
 
5.1 Conduct an annual evaluation process for assessment of condition, and
feasibility of continued usage of facilities in each Pastoral Region.
a. Review present assessments, information available on present facilities and sites available at each place and reflected in the Facilities Task Force Report.
b. Conduct an annual update, and evaluation report of facilities as part of the normal budgetary process.
c. Present budgetary recommendations to the Pastoral Team.
d. Assess the status of current school facilities in light of the school plan to determine future usage.
e. Assess the lease agreement of St. Agnes for its continued use as a site for
special prayer and liturgical events now and into the future.
 
Lead Agent: Pastoral Administrator of Administration along with
maintenance staff, in conjunction with Finance Commission & Pastoral Councils.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Parish Administration

Introduction: Given our commitment to wise stewardship of our resources, our commitment to collaboration and interdependence, we commit ourselves to creating one parish office in each Pastoral Region with the intent of creating uniformed systems between the two Pastoral Regions for greater capacity to plan and combine functions as appropriate. To that end, we commit to the following.
 
Goal 6: To establish one parish office in each Pastoral Region at locations that maximize
the capacity for the Pastoral Region to have adequate office space, meeting rooms and storage, technological access, etc.

Strategies:
 6.1 Determine the location of each Parish Office
a. Assess the administrative needs for each Pastoral Region.
b. Assess facilities to determine the best placement for serving the     parishioners in the Pastoral Region and availability of the greatest access to space, and technology (a satellite office may be an option as well).
c. Develop a plan of action for moving the offices into their new place with an appropriate timeline for continuous service.

Lead Agent: Pastoral Administrative Team, in conjunction with present
office/administrative staff.

 6.2 Determine and (re)hire the appropriate personnel for attending to the administrative functions.
a. Determine the number of personnel needed to support each Pastoral Region, their job functions, job descriptions, and compensation packets as well as assess which functions could be shared across Pastoral Regions.
b. Assess current staff to determine their gifts, job experience, performance, length of service and desire to work in the new Pastoral Regions. 
c. Conduct a search process as needed for replacing staff, filling unfilled positions.
d. Conduct interviews and hire.

Lead Agent: Pastoral Administrative Team.

6.3 Establish a common financial software system to be chosen for both Parishes (Pastoral Regions), common Parish data software (membership, contributions, etc.), a common payroll approach, common financial procedures, etc., to go into effect beginning July 1, 2006.
a. Study the report of present practices from the Administrative/Finances/ Governance Task Force and other information available in our parishes.
b. Assess present software and procedures in our parishes.
c. Determine what may best serve our financial and administrative needs.

Lead Agent: A knowledgeable and representative committee of present financial and administrative staff.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Governance

Introduction: In alignment with guidelines from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Canon Law, we continue to commit ourselves to lay involvement in the governance of our Pastoral Regions. We walk together in taking ownership for our parish life.

Goal 7: Create a simple governance structure to oversee these two Pastoral Regions.
 
Strategies:
7.1 Move from seven Parish Pastoral Councils and Finance Commissions into one per Pastoral Region by July 1, 2007, or by the effective date of the creation of the two new parishes.
a. Review Archdiocesan policies and procedures on Parish Pastoral Councils and Finance Commissions.
b. Develop an appropriate process and timeline for transitioning from the current multiple structures serving existing parishes into the one structure in each Pastoral Region.
c. Create a process for electing/appointing members to the new Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Commission in each Pastoral Region with the intent that the new structures include representation from each of the existing parishes.
d. Develop a ritual of closure for the current groups, and a ritual of commissioning for the new groups.
e. Develop an orientation session(s) for the new groups that include the principles inherent to the vision and spirit of this plan.

Lead Agent: Executive Committee assisted by representatives drawn from the existing Parish Pastoral Councils and Finance Commissions.

AREA OF COMMITMENT: Accountability/Evaluation

Introduction: More than at any other period of time, we, the faithful of these two Pastoral Regions, need to hold ourselves accountable to our commitments. This work started at grassroots level in 2003 because parishioners, staff and our pastoral leadership chose to take more ownership for our future in the urban area. We are committed to see that this plan is implemented in a realistic and timely fashion. Furthermore, we are committed to assess and modify this plan in light of the planning efforts of the Dayton Deanery and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
 
Goal 8: To establish an ongoing process of evaluation regarding the implementation of this plan and its furtherance of our mission and vision.

Strategies:
 8.1 Form an Implementation Oversight Committee
a. This Committee shall be the Pastoral Administrative Team, and shall provide an annual report to the two Pastoral Councils reflecting how well we have brought viable Catholic presence to our neighborhoods.
b. The Pastor shall provide day-to-day supervision for the two Pastoral Administrators; the two Pastoral Administrators shall provide supervision for the Pastoral Associates and the administrative staff.
c. The Pastoral Administrative Team shall provide oversight as to the success, and/or weakness of this plan.

Lead Agent: The Pastoral Administrative Team in conjunction with the Pastoral Councils.

RECOMMENDATION DETAILS

After much prayer, reflection, study, input, consultation and feedback, including extensive reports by five Task Forces, the following reflects our collective wisdom for the future:

LITURGICAL RECOMMENDATIONS    

Form a new Worship Commission

  1. We recommend that one Worship Commission be formed in each Pastoral Region by July 1, 2006
    • This Worship Commission will include representation from each present Parish within the Pastoral Region
    • In its first year, this Pastoral Regional Worship Commission will define its work, adapt any existing guidelines/direction for these new circumstances, etc., and forming the group into a cohesive unit.
    • It’s first task will be to formulate a transition plan to put into effect the following Mass/other Liturgical events Schedule. 

Weekend and Daily Mass Schedule

  1. By July 1, 2007 we will have in place a new weekend Mass schedule - transition details to be worked out by the new Worship Commissions. We recommend the following schedule:
    Pastoral Region One
    • Saturday evening Mass at 5:00 PM at Queen of Martyrs
    • Sunday Morning Mass at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Mercy
    • Sunday Morning Mass at 11:00 AM at Corpus Christi

    Pastoral Region Two

    • Saturday Evening Mass alternating between Holy Family and St. Benedict (on a schedule to be determined) at 4:30 PM
    • Sunday Morning Mass at 9:00 AM at St. Mary
    • Sunday Morning Mass at 10:30 AM at St. Benedict
    • The Hispanic Sunday Mass continues to be hosted at Holy Family at a time to be determined
    • The 8:45 AM Tridentine Latin Rite Mass continues to be hosted at Holy Family
  2. There will be a daily Mass, Mon – Fri, in each Pastoral Region.
  3. There will one evening Mass at St. Agnes in Pastoral Region Two.
  4. There will be a Saturday morning Mass at QM during the time of transition (until July 1, 2007), as long as the present priest who covers it is available

Funerals and Weddings

  1. Can be scheduled at whatever facility a person wishes, as long as that facility is available/open
    “Heritage Mass”1) We recommend that a “Heritage Mass” be developed by the respective Worship Commissions in each Pastoral Region. This is seen as one way people may come to celebrate more together and to honor each other’s heritage. This would occur at least once in each Pastoral Region during the year beginning July, 2009.  

Mass/other Sacraments at the Catholic School(s)

  1. Opportunities for Mass and the celebration of other sacraments by the students of the CUP Network of Elementary School(s) will be made available at whatever facility(ies) that is(are) chosen for the School(s)

Other Prayer and Liturgical events

  1. We recommend that opportunities for special prayers and rituals (e.g., Evening Prayer, Reconciliation, etc.) be provided on a regular basis
  2. There will be one combined Communal Reconciliation Service available in Advent and Lent. It will alternate between Regions and facilities.
  3. A Communal Anointing Mass will be scheduled at least once a year in each Pastoral Region

Facilities for special prayer events and retreats, days of prayer, etc.

  1. We recommend that the St. Agnes facility be used for special Prayer/Liturgical events (e.g., Evening Prayer, etc.). 
  2. We recommend that the St. Agnes facility be used as a spiritual life center site for both Pastoral Regions (e.g., to house adult retreats, days of prayer, etc.)
  3. We recommend that the Holy Family Nazareth Center remain the spiritual life center site for youth retreats, etc.

PASTORAL MINISTRIES RECOMMENDATIONS

Pastoral Ministry Areas

  1. We recommend that the following six areas of Pastoral Ministry be provided within each Pastoral Region. These areas are listed below, along with a listing of numerous ministries/organizations, etc. that presently exist in one or the other of our Parishes – we hope this may help to clarify what elements of Pastoral Ministry might be included under each. These six areas are:
    1. Liturgical Ministry, Music, Liturgical Planning, Liturgical Ministry Training, Support, and Ongoing Development, etc.
    2. Faith Formation and Religious Education Ministry
      Sacramental Preparation, Adult & Youth Religious Education, RCIA, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Vacation Bible School, Church Communities (e.g., Small Church Communities, Faith Sharing Groups, ‘Mom’s’ Group, Bible/Book Groups, Prayer Groups, etc.), Vocations, etc.
    3. Pastoral Care Ministry
      Home visitation, Shut-ins, Nursing Homes, Hospital Visitation, Bereavement, Transportation needs, Health Ministry, Outreach to elderly, Organizations such as Holy Name, Rosary Altar, St. Anne’s, St. Peter Claver, Ecumenism, etc. 
    4. Social Action and Evangelization Ministry
      Social Action Projects, Food Pantries, Emergency Assistance, St. Vincent de Paul, Dustin House, Evangelization (the un-churched), Come Home’, Active/Inactive/Non-Active Outreach, Catch the Building Spirit, LEAD, Respect Life, relationship with the Hispanic Community, etc. 
    5. Youth Ministry
      Junior High, Senior High and Young Adult Ministry, etc.
    6. Pastoral Administration Ministry
      Parish Office, Sacramental & other Records, Finances, Grant Requests, Fund Raising (e.g., Bingo, Development, etc.), Communications (e.g., Bulletin, Newsletter, etc.), Facilities Management (e.g., maintenance, supplies, repairs, building projects, etc.), Stewardship, etc.

Pastoral Staffing of Ministry Areas
We are committed to the best staffing and support that our resources (internal and external) will support. Recognizing the diversity of gifts, we seek to match gifts with roles. While we operate out of a vision and a plan, “we are living the dream” - we recognize that adaptations will be made as we move forward.

  1. We recommend that there be two Pastoral Administrators to serve our two Pastoral Regions. We recommend that one Pastoral Administrator supervise the Pastoral Associates who have responsibility for the first five areas of Ministry listed above, with the other Pastoral Administrator having responsibility for the sixth area of Ministry, supervising any staff within that area. These Pastoral Administrators will be supervised by the Pastors of the two Parishes. Details to be worked out.
  2. We recommend that a Pastoral Associate be given responsibility for each of the first five areas of Pastoral Ministry (specific details to be worked out in the Implementation Phase - e.g., one Pastoral Associate for each area, or one for several areas, etc.). Where appropriate and feasible, we encourage the sharing of responsibility for these areas of ministry for both Pastoral Regions.

Pastoral Administrative Team

  1. We recommend the formation of a Pastoral Administrative Team to include the two Pastoral Administrators and the Pastors of the two Pastoral Regions.
  2. The Administrative Team and the Pastoral Council will annually evaluate all the ministries to determine if they are meeting our needs and if a viable Catholic presence is being realized in our neighborhoods. 
    Some further reflections on the roles of Pastoral Admin. & Pastor

Pastoral Administrator:

Pastor:
Recognizing the diversity of gifts among Pastors, the job description of a Pastor ought to reflect gift and not simply position. A Pastor’s primary functions will be to:o Provide sacramental ministry.

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBILITY RECOMMENDATION

  1. We recommend that a transportation plan be developed to respond to accessibility needs that occur as a result of this plan in regards to liturgical celebrations, ministerial events, etc. 

FACILITIES RECOMMENDTIONS

  1. The St. Agnes facility will be sustained as long as its lease agreement stands in effect, and it is feasible to do so.
  2. The Administrative Team and Pastoral Council will annually evaluate all facilities to determine if needs are being met and a viable Catholic presence is being realized in the neighborhoods.
  3. Once the School Plan is approved, the school facilities that are not utilized will be assessed for other usages (e.g., use for one of the various ministries, or to be disposed of through renting, selling, demolition, etc.)

PARISH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Parish Offices

  1. We recommend that by July, 2007 one central Parish Office will be created in each Pastoral Region. It is possible that a satellite office may also exist in a period of transition.
  2. This Office will house the Parish Secretary, records of all faith communities represented, an Office for Bookkeeper and Finances, and an Office for Pastoral Staff Persons.
  3. We recommend that there be one Parish Secretary, one Bookkeeper, one Facilities Manager, and, if possible, a Secretary (part time) for the Pastoral Ministry areas. 
  4. We assume that appointments, meetings, etc. may be held with parishioners, and others, at any facility within each Pastoral Region
  5. Given the present size, etc. of our facilities we recommend that these Offices be housed at Our Lady of Mercy and St. Mary. Consideration of Parish office sites needs to include size/space, condition, access to technology, access to the public, etc.

Administrative Procedures, etc.

  1. We recommend that common financial/parish data software products be chosen for both Pastoral Regions, and that common payroll approach, common financial procedures, etc., go into effect beginning July 1, 2006 (to be determined by present financial staff, Finance Commissions, and the Pastor).

GOVERNANCE RECOMMENDATIONS

  1. We recommend that one Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Commission be formed for each Pastoral Region, to be operative by July 1, 2007, or by the effective date of the creation of the two new parishes.
  2. This newly formed Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Commission will include representation from each of the previously independent communities, and a period of transition will be planned to allow the smooth flow from this present structure into the new one (e.g., initial common meetings, etc.).

ACCOUNTABILITY/EVALUATION RECOMMENDATION

  1. We recommend that our ministries and facilities be evaluated on an ongoing basis.