ST.
FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Five Year Strategic Plan
June, 2002
St. Francis of Assisi is a rapidly
growing parish that will embrace change and welcome new parishioners as it
builds a faith filled community. St. Francis recognizes our primary role is
doing God’s will. Our community
will support its members, especially throughout their lifetime of spiritual
development. The parish will
reflect and maintain the integrity of the works and beliefs of our patron
saint, St. Francis of Assisi. In
the spirit of St. Francis, we will share our time, talent and monetary
resources with our own parish community and then with the community at large.
This will include connecting people to resources and ministries that
can assist them in times of need. It
will include development of lay leaders from within the parish community.
The pastors of St. Francis of Assisi will be primarily spiritual
leaders.
· The parish council supports a consensus building process, in the context of our faith tradition and prayer, in its decision-making role.
2. St. Francis of Assisi will welcome new parishioners and help them to feel at home and connected to the parish community.
· The Parish Council along with all parish committees will embrace the goal to welcome and incorporate new members of the parish as a central part of their mission.
· Liturgies will be welcoming to new/prospective parishioners.
· Special events targeting new parishioners will be maintained.
· Outreach efforts will be developed to encourage converts to Catholicism and to welcome back Catholics who have been away from the church.
3. The parish will strengthen community spirit and encourage/support the involvement of all parishioners.
· Social activities will be planned and communicated well in advance.
· A year-round calendar of social activities will be developed and maintained.
· All parishioners will be encouraged to use their time, talent and monetary resources to benefit the parish community and the larger community.
· Parish committees will develop a succession plan for leaders to ensure continuity of programs and encourage new members and ideas within the committee.
· St. Francis will tithe as a parish, supporting community groups and activities.
· St. Francis will encourage parishioner ownership for the activities of the parish.
· Time and talent events will be conducted periodically with parishioner interest receiving quick response.
· The Parish will develop and maintain effective avenues of communication such as bulletin boards, web site and a parish newsletter.
4. St. Francis of Assisi will work to connect people to resources and ministries that can assist them in times of need.
· Common interest groups will be formed where there is a need.
· The parish will keep current information on the available community resources.
· Inappropriate areas, parishioners will help parishioners in need.
· Special liturgies will be celebrated in response to particular times of need.
5. As a faith community, St. Francis of Assisi will provide continuing adult education and faith formation opportunities.
· Each year a plan of adult spiritual growth opportunities will be made available.
· Adult faith formation/enrichment will continue to be offered.
· Scripture study will be offered.
· Faith sharing groups will be encouraged.
· Retreat and prayer opportunities will be supported.
6. St. Francis will provide for the faith formation and spiritual development of its youth and their continued connection to the church through an integrated Religious Education/Day School/Youth Ministry Approach/St. Francis Preschool.
· St. Francis acknowledges that parents are the first teachers of their children in the faith and therefore encourages parents’ continued involvement in faith formation programs for their children.
· St. Francis maintains a commitment to provide quality Religious Education, Preschool, Day School, and Youth Ministry programs.
· Religious education will be conducted through grade 12.
· The Board of Education will determine ways to build and maintain community in the R. E. and day school programs.
· Youth ministry will be offered to provide age appropriate spiritual and social growth opportunities for senior high youth students.
· Youth participation in masses will be encouraged.
7. St. Francis of Assisi will support its members through its educational, social, and spiritual programs and encourage involvement in the parish community.
· In addition to religious education, the parish will offer access to information that will benefit family relationships (referral sources, magazines, parenting seminar, marriage encounters etc).
· Each year there will be at least one social or spiritual program for the purpose of building a strong sense of parish community.
8. The primary role of St. Francis of Assisi’s pastors will be that of spiritual leaders.
· The parish will work to develop lay leaders from within the parish.
· The parish will provide opportunities for parishioners to discern the call to be lay leaders.
· The parish will encourage vocations through prayer, awareness, and support of opportunities for those considering a commitment to the religious life.
·
Parishioners will provide the volunteer time, talent and monetary resources
for support staff, allowing the pastor to devote his major efforts to the
spiritual needs of the parish.
· The Parish Council will continue to assess the need for additional support staff to allow the pastors to focus their efforts on the spiritual needs of the parish.
9. St. Francis of Assisi parish community will work to act as a servant of God within the Des Moines Diocese as well as the Ecumenical Community.
· The parish will develop and implement a plan to enhance the serving presence of St. Francis of Assisi Parish within our community
· Parishioners will be encouraged to give of their time and talents to outside organizations and efforts such as missions, homeless shelters and ventures that complete the work of God in the community.
· The parish will encourage communication and support of social justice issues and opportunities.
10. St. Francis of Assisi will strive to meet the challenge of rapid growth.
· Parish expansion plan to accommodate parish growth and educational commitments will be continued (Phase I, II, and III).
· Routine assessments of the church facilities including the use of space and grounds will be conducted.
· A long-term financial plan for the parish will be developed and implemented.
· An endowment fund will be developed and maintained to assist in funding parish programs
· A management and staffing structure to support and maintain the programs of the parish will be developed and implemented.
· The parish will encourage good stewardship of time, talent, facilities and monetary resources.