Catholic Church of St. Mark. Summary: Parish Evangelization Plan Year #1

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Shona Dixon
9 years ago
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1 Catholic Church of St. Mark Summary: Parish Evangelization Plan Year #1 Goal 1: We seek to explore and embrace the Joy of the Gospels o Inspire in each parishioner, a new or refreshed fervor for our faith, and a desire to be the light of Christ, sharing their faith with others Goal 2: We will explore our Catholic faith, its apostolic history and the Church s Catechism o Highlight our Sacrament traditions and the grace we receive o Stir parishioners to deepen their faith knowledge Goal 3: We will strengthen and expand our Parish faith community o Seek more opportunities for all parishioners to work together in local community, and practice their faith as Christ s disciples o Build a sense of ownership in our new participant s by ensuring their ideas are warmly received, fairly reviewed, and implemented whenever possible. 1 Catholic Church of St. Mark Virginia Beach

be the light of Christ, sharing their faith with others Goal 2: We will explore our Catholic faith, its apostolic history and the Church s Catechism o Highlight our Sacrament traditions and the grace

2 Parish Name: City: Catholic Church of St. Mark Virginia Beach, VA Goal #1: With the Holy Spirit s guidance, we seek to explore and embrace the Joy of the Gospels, and in the process rekindle the Pentecost evangelization flame within our parishioners, encouraging those regularly attending Mass and all who enter our worship space. Objective #1: Inspire in each parishioner, a new or refreshed fervor for our faith, and a desire to be the light of Christ, sharing their faith with others. Current State: We preach and emphasize the Gospels in action in our lives and ministries, but we seek to expand our reach into the lives of more parishioners 1. By personal invitation, encourage greater participation in our ongoing Bible Study groups [Ongoing] 2. Establish small prayer/faith discussion groups, possibly modeled after the Awakening Faith program from the Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association, wherein small faith groups (< 10) are formed to share and discuss scripture lessons. [TBD] 3. Encourage broader participation in our Retreats, ensure the atmosphere and activities encourage study, discussion and reflection on the Gospel lessons. Accountable Parties Parish Council, Religious Formation Ministry, and the Church Leadership 2 Catholic Church of St. Mark Virginia Beach

parishioners, encouraging those regularly attending Mass and all who enter our worship space.

3 Goal #2: We will explore our Catholic faith; building awareness for and appreciation of the Church s history and apostolic traditions, and nurturing our understanding of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Objective #1: Emphasize Jesus s gifts to us, our Sacrament traditions and the grace we receive through them, and understanding how actively practicing our faith brings us closer to God. Objective #2: Encourage parishioners to continually seek to deepen their faith knowledge, and to grow in their willingness to share their faith with others. Current State: Our children and youth Religious Formation programs are very active; however, the adult community s ongoing organized religious formation efforts struggle for participation and it s unclear what consistency or quality exists in personal, religious formation efforts by the parishioners. 1. Actively engage parishioners, personally inviting them to provide ideas for desired programs, activities and resources. [Ongoing] 2. Upgrade the church s website, turning it into an information and research portal, offering links to a variety of Catholic websites for use in the parishioners personal education and reflection, as well as access to on-line community forums where faith based questions, ideas, and conversations can be shared. [Spring 2015] 3. Continue the Monthly Adult Religious Formation session, personally invite parishioners currently not participating Accountable Party Religious Formation Ministry 3 Catholic Church of St. Mark Virginia Beach

Objective #2: Encourage parishioners to continually seek to deepen their faith knowledge, and to grow in their willingness to share their faith with others.

4 Goal #3: We will strengthen and expand our Parish faith community through more active outreach. Objective #1: Understanding that each individual draws strength from their faith community, we will seek opportunities for all parishioners to work together as Christ s disciples in the greater community Objective #2: We will become more active practitioners of the Gospel messages... united in our desire to serve those who are in need, to give our gifts and talents, and to build the Kingdom of God by imaging Jesus Christ. Current State: There is a strong, active core group of parishioners involved in the established ministries; however we need to encourage and realize broader participation across the entire parish community. We need to ensure new participants and their ideas are welcomed in to each ministry. 1. Review and refresh current ministry programs, actively seek out new members, and ensure their new ideas are warmly received, fairly reviewed, and implemented whenever possible in order to build a sense of ownership in the new members. [Ongoing] 2. Seek new ministry activities addressing local, neighborhood level needs. Be open to small groups initiatives in areas not previously served, and provide resources when possible to nurture and grow these initiatives. [Ongoing] Accountable Parties Parish Council, Justice & Peace Ministry, and Parish Life Ministries 4 Catholic Church of St. Mark Virginia Beach

community Objective #2: We will become more active practitioners of the Gospel messages.

5 5 Catholic Church of St. Mark Virginia Beach

What is Youth Ministry?

What is Youth Ministry? Quite simply, youth ministry is all the ways the parish community serves young people and their families, and equips them to live as Catholic Christians. Simple, but not easy. To