Holy Infant Catholic Church 2015-2016 Parish Plan Compiled by: Parish Planning Committee October 2015 Page 1
PARISH PLAN OVERVIEW The 2015-2016 Parish Plan describes the mission statement, achievements and objectives of the parish activities and ministries at Holy Infant. These achievements and objectives support the long-term objectives of parish commissions. As each ministry is part of a larger parish commission, the achievements and objectives of a ministry serve to meet the larger objectives of its respective commission. For example, the Faith Development for Children ministry is part of the larger Faith Development commission. As such, the accomplishments and goals of the Faith Development for Children ministry support the larger objectives of the Faith Development commission that are guided by the Holy Infant Long- Term Strategic Plan. For more information about the long-term objectives and successes of each parish commission, see the Holy Infant Long-Term Strategic Plan at www.holyinfantchurch.org. In the Spirit of St. Francis de Sales, Holy Infant Parish Planning Committee Mark Bright, Chairman Page 2
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL (PPC) To cooperatively plan with the pastor the means to carry out the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as embodied in the parish mission statement. Prayerfully and thoughtfully represent the interests of the parish community while discerning how to utilize the resources of the parish community. Provide guidance on pastoral matters by assisting the pastor in researching issues as well as making and implementing decisions. Provide oversight for the parish planning process inclusive of the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Long-Term Strategic and Annual Plans. Collaborate with the pastor to identify, introduce and coordinate new initiatives. Provide consistent communication among parishioners, the pastor and the PPC. Supported and guided the following activities of the Facilities Needs Assessment workgroups: Completion of a conceptual facilities study according to the Long-Term Strategic Plan. The completed study, approved by the Diocesan Building and Real Estate Commission, included the following: An assessment of current parish facilities usage patterns A geo-demographic analysis to understand present and future population trends A description of specific long-term functional requirements to be considered in the design studies Presentation of the conceptual facilities study findings at a Parish Town Hall. Formation of a Facilities Architectural workgroup, Capital Campaign workgroup and Communications workgroup to make up a Facilities Development committee that continues the work of providing facilities that meet the current and future needs of the parish. Provided support and guidance for the development of a Long-Term Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2016-2018. This plan continues the work that started under the current Long-Term Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2011-2015. Support and guide the Facilities Development committee to develop a plan for facilities that meet the current and future needs of the parish. The activities of the committee include the following: Engage an architectural firm to develop a master site plan study with preliminary cost estimates for alternative design scenarios. Engage consultants to conduct a capital campaign feasibility and planning study. Determine a design scenario that is consistent with parish needs and projected sources of funding. Page 3
Keep the parish informed about the progress of workgroups, and invite parishioner input and feedback using a variety of communication modes. Establish a formal Communications committee to enhance parish-wide communications. This committee will report to the PPC. PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL (PFC) To assist and advise the pastor regarding the development and management of parish financial resources to fulfill our responsibilities as Christ s financial stewards. Participate in the parish facilities needs analysis and conceptual facilities study. Promote participation in the E-Giving program (formerly called the EFT program). Assisted with the Facilities Needs Assessment. Assisted the parish staff in maintaining a strong fiscal plan. Helped with the transition to a new Financial Services Administrator. Continue to assist the Facilities Development committee, providing particular support, as needed, in the area of a capital campaign. Promote increased participation in E-Giving through regular recruitments after Mass. PLANNING AND OPERATIONS To fulfill certain parish administrative and operational needs in accordance with the guidance provided by the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils in liaison with Parish Administration. Collection Counters To precisely and confidentially tabulate, record and deposit offertory and other collections. Tabulate the weekly offertory and special collections. Communications Committee To develop and maintain a coordinated program of communication forums that will serve to inform, educate and guide our parish, conveying a message of inclusion and outreach to all. Page 4
Document the general capabilities of and usage guidelines for parish communications platforms. Define and prioritize specific enhancements that are required for existing platforms. This includes assessing the availability of new platforms and determining the needs for new platforms to enhance communications within the parish. Develop general and targeted communications strategies that provide guidance for reaching the general parish population as well as targeted groups with specific interests. Began restructuring the committee to more effectively achieve its mission and core activities. Maintenance Committee To efficiently and economically attend to the maintenance needs of the buildings, facilities and grounds in order to ensure that they serve the needs of the Holy Infant community. Support the parish staff and the physical needs of the church facilities with maintenance activities, small projects and planning. Conduct work days as necessary for committee projects. Hold committee meetings as needed. Planning Committee To develop and implement a parish planning process that evaluates existing programs and resources while formulating long-term (strategic) and annual (operational) plans based on the goals of a Christ-centered, mission-focused and results-oriented parish. Implement the annual planning process. Compile and edit the annual plans of parish-wide ministries for publication in the Annual Parish Plan. Compile and edit the long-term strategic plans of parish-wide commissions on a schedule prescribed by the Parish Pastoral Council. Facilitate and record parish progress on long-term strategic plan objectives. Page 5
Developed and implemented a plan for review of Long-Term Strategic Plan objectives on the PPC yearly calendar. Revised the annual parish planning process. Work with the PPC to develop a mid-term strategic plan for the fiscal years 2016-2018. This plan will continue the work that started under the current Long-Term Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2011-2015. This strategic plan will incorporate input from parishioners and continue to emphasize the four priorities of the current Long-Term Strategic Plan: Formation Faith Development and Liturgical Life Facilities Outreach Community and Communications Compile and edit the long-term strategic plan extension. Facilitate and present a parish Town Hall session in October 2015. Compile and produce an Accountability Report that describes the status of the parish s attempts to meet the objectives of the last Long-Term Strategic Plan. Facilities Development Committee To manage the design and development of parish facilities that adequately meet future needs for worship, gathering/hospitality, faith development and other parish activities. Assess the parish s current and future use of facilities and identify any unmet needs. Manage the development of a master plan for facilities Oversee any facility improvement projects that the parish undertakes. Form the following three facilities workgroups that will manage the development of a facilities plan for the parish: o Architectural o Capital Campaign o Communications The activities of these workgroups include the following: o Engage an architectural firm to develop a master site plan study with preliminary cost estimates for alternative design scenarios. o Engage consultants to conduct a capital campaign feasibility and planning study. o Determine a design scenario that is consistent with parish needs and projected sources of funding. o Keep the parish informed about the progress of these workgroups. Page 6
o Invite parishioner input and feedback using a variety of communication modes. STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION To make Holy Infant the most vibrant community it can be, all members must embrace stewardship. Openness to stewardship allows us, with faith and gratitude, to know in our hearts that all we have is a gift from God and to consistently and willingly share all those gifts. Giving freely of time, talent and treasure defines who we are and is a necessary role for everyone in our faith community. The Stewardship Commission s goal is to communicate to the parish that active involvement in parish ministries and groups is a return of the many gifts we have been blessed with by God. The commission encourages parish members to become good stewards through sharing of their time, talent and treasure. The Stewardship Commission hosts events to welcome new members to our parish community, partners with the Finance Council to encourage sharing of treasure and encourages all parishioners to become involved in the ministries, councils, committees and programs that make our parish vibrant. Form three new workgroups that will manage the following activities: o Time and Talent Work with parish councils and commissions to promote awareness, understanding and commitment to service. o Treasure Support the Parish Finance Council by promoting the need for material support of the parish to assure its financial stability. Work with the Diocese of Raleigh to develop a planned-giving program for long-term support. o Environmental Stewardship Promote the prudent use of natural resources and care for the environment as part of all building improvements. Promote awareness of individual responsibility for the environment. Develop a Stewardship Handbook that reflects each of the above initiatives. Bishop s Annual Appeal Increase awareness of how the Bishop s Annual Appeal (BAA) affects Catholics in the Diocese of Raleigh and thereby create enthusiasm for the BAA among the parish community, encouraging continued stewardship and support. Page 7
Inform parishioners about the programs that the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh implements as a result of BAA contributions. Emphasize Holy Infant s financial goal for the BAA and update the congregation on our progress to meet that goal. Solicit in-pew and post-liturgy pledges. Update parishioners on Holy Infant s progress in meeting our BAA goal. Our BAA goal was $109,785. We exceeded our goal with pledges from 46% of registered households. Plan for annual campaign. Implement campaign plans from January 2016 to March 2016. Hospitality Committee To host welcome functions at the parish, providing a warm and inviting environment for fellowship. Provide refreshments for parish events such as New Parishioner Orientations, Easter vigil reception, graduate reception, Fellowship Weekends, and other events as requested by the parish. Office Volunteers To integrate the administrative skills and talents of volunteer parishioners with those of the parish staff, commissions and ministries to assist in accomplishing one-time or periodic tasks. Help parish staff during the weekdays. Tasks might include answering phones, filing, making copies and preparing mailings. Take minutes at Parish Pastoral Council meetings. New Parishioner Orientation Events To welcome new parishioners and provide them an opportunity to learn more about the organization of Holy Infant parish and the various ministries within the parish. Page 8
Host five orientation events per year. Provide information about Holy Infant s organizational structure and parish programming to new members of the parish. Enlist ministry leaders to provide information about ways to get involved. Held a New Parishioner Orientation session approximately every other month. FAITH DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION The Faith Development Commission helps to discern the faith development needs of Holy Infant parishioners at all stages of faith life. It helps set goals and objectives to ensure this development. The purview of this commission is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), all sacramental preparation, and the faith formation of all members of the Holy Infant community at every stage of Christian life. Faith Formation for all Generations: HI-life To provide a life-long, intergenerational approach to faith formation that emphasizes parish and home preparation and formation based on events of the liturgical church year. This catechetical process aims toward growth in the many dimensions of Christian discipleship: knowledge of the faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, and belonging to community and missionary spirit. A Faith Formation orientation session A series of six intergenerational HI-life Gatherings Catholic School Family Connection Parenting enrichment events Focus for HI-life Gatherings was Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Pope Francis Effect Acting for Justice. Approximately 160-180 participants attended each HI-life Gathering. Celebrated Sunday Mass at the beginning of each HI-life Gathering. Promoted opportunities for families to serve together in acts of charity and justice. For example, incorporated the CROP Walk as part of our final HI-life Gathering of the year. This was our most successful CROP Walk ever. Focus for HI-life Gatherings will be inspired by the events in the universal Church and the Liturgical Year: Page 9
September: Love is our : The Family Fully Alive (Theme of the World Meeting of Families) November: All Saints (focus on religious in Year of Consecrated Life) December: Advent January: St. Francis De Sales February: Lent (Year of Mercy) March: Our Passover Connection Adult Faith Development To provide opportunities for adults to grow in their knowledge of scripture, tradition and church teachings. To discover the spirituality of everyday life and to embrace faith formation as a lifelong process. Opportunities for study and growth in Salesian spirituality Formation/catechist training through the Diocesan Doorways to Formation in the Faith Annual spirituality and study series Enrichment events for more in-depth study of HI-life topics Little Rock Scripture Study Awakening Faith Series for inactive Catholics A marriage enrichment event Adult Confirmation Preparation Promoted opportunities for parishioners to grow in understanding of Salesian spirituality through the following: Advent with Brother Michael McGrath, OSFS Heavenly BFFs - Art and Stories for Advent Lenten with Rev. Dick DeLillio, OSFS The Church Pope Francis Wants Us to Be Hosted a two-day training for church leaders, led by Vibrant Faith Ministries - DO WHAT MATTERS! Faith Formation for a New Age. Offered two Little Rock Scripture Study series Book of Revelation and Parables of the Kingdom, Part I. Each series had 35-40 participants. Formed 10 Lenten small groups to study the Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis, including a teleconference group, young adult group and a mothers group. Held two sessions on subjects related to aging and care of the elderly. Made plans and promoted a parish Holy Land pilgrimage for Lent 2016. Page 10
Promote opportunities for parishioners to grow in understanding of Salesian spirituality, particularly the virtue of gentleness via a focus on non-violence. Host a course on Diocesan Doorways to Formation in the Faith. Offer the Little Rock Scripture Study Parables of the Kingdom, Part II. Offer additional practical sessions related to aging. Coordinate the parish Holy Land pilgrimage for February 2016. Involve the parish via social media. Promote and prepare for Confirmation of Adults. Observe the Year of Mercy by establishing a planning team and implementing the resulting plan. Faith Development for Youth (grades 5-8) - JYM To provide a catechetical process for youth, grades 5-8, that aims toward growth in the many dimensions of Christian discipleship: knowledge of the faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, belonging to community and missionary spirit. Weekly Sunday afternoon JYM sessions HI-life Gatherings Diocesan middle school retreat Monthly service project Social events Moved JYM to a new time in an effort to enhance the program through use of space, commitment and mentorship. Brought on three new team members although two left as they moved to other parishes. JYM youth assisted with the parish picnic. Used the Edge curriculum (Life Teen). Change the meeting time to 6:30-8:00 p.m. to coincide with the time of TYM. Increase service component of JYM to once a month. Increase number of social events to once a month. Increase participants by three full-time volunteers. Get parents involved. Provide volunteer training and planning in the summer. Faith Development for Youth (grades 9-12) - TYM Page 11
To empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today; to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community; and to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. Weekly Sunday evening TYM sessions HI-life Gatherings Monthly service activities Monthly social activities Participation in Diocesan activities Spring & Fall Weekend Retreats Brought three TYM youth (along with two former TYM youth and one middle school student) on service trip to Guatemala in August 2014. TYM youth assisted with the Parish Picnic. TYM successfully narrated and performed Shadow Box Stations. One teen was elected to the Diocesan Youth Board for the Diocese of Raleigh. Host a Summertime activity night. Recruit two new adult volunteers. Provide volunteer training and planning in the late summer. Promote more involvement in DSW Service retreats. Promote teen leadership role in HI-life Gatherings. Faith Development for Children (ages 3-10) To promote faith formation for pre-school and school-age children within the context of the HI-life process: monthly gatherings, children s faith formation sessions and faith lived in the home with the aid of home resources, regular participation in weekly liturgies and sacramental preparation as needed. Weekly Sunday morning faith development sessions Weekly Liturgy of the Word with Children during Sunday liturgies HI-life Gatherings Vacation Bible Camp Provide resources for faith development at home Page 12
Established and filled a new position for Director of Formation for Children and Youth. Recruited one new children s catechist and one office volunteer. Enrolled 84 children (Pre-K through Grade 4) in faith development. Held weekly Liturgy of the Word with Children during both of the Sunday liturgies. Moved Summer Vacation Bible Camp to July with great success. Continued to expand outreach to families via social media tools. Provided home resources for children and families: Living Faith, Advent & Lent resources and family materials on Catholic Social Teaching. Held special events such as All Saints, St. Nicholas, Epiphany and May Crowning. Fostered an expanded outreach to families with children with special needs. For example, provided staff training, procurement of sacrament preparation resources and encouragement of efforts to begin a support group for parents. Enhance special events celebrations. Increase the use of social media and promote website resources. Recruit three new catechists. Baptism Preparation To provide a formation program for adult members of our community who wish to have their child baptized at Holy Infant, and for parishioners who wish to be godparents for a Baptism in another Christian community. Offer six Baptism workshops per year. Baptism hosts assist parents at liturgy. Prepared 38 families for Baptism of their children, an increase of nearly 30%. Recruited a new Baptism catechist assistant. Recruited a new Baptism host. Use social media and website resources for post-baptismal communication. Review the Baptism preparation process and revise if needed. First Reconciliation Preparation Page 13
To help parents and children grow in their understanding of conversion, transformation, reconciliation and growth in their appreciation of the sacrament of Reconciliation as an opportunity to experience God s healing forgiveness. Parent introductory session Parent-child preparation workshops Weeknight First Reconciliation service Successfully added a Track II for sacrament preparation for parents who have recently been though the process with an older child. This second track enabled parents to go deeper in their knowledge and understanding of the sacraments. Prepared 24 children for sacrament of Reconciliation. Include a Reconciliation Retreat as part of preparation process. First Eucharist Preparation To help parents and their children preparing for First Eucharist have a better understanding and appreciation of what it means to have full and active participation in liturgy. To assist and equip parents, as primary educators of their children, to prepare their children for this sacrament of initiation. Parent information session Monthly First Eucharist preparation sessions January through April Eucharist Retreat the week before the sacrament to include parents and children First Eucharist Mass and reception in the Easter Season Prepared 24 children for First Eucharist. Held a First Eucharist Mass and reception on a Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Made special efforts to invite the parish. Approximately 240 people attended. Successfully added a Track II for sacrament preparation for parents who have recently been though the process with an older child. This second track enabled parents to go deeper in their knowledge and understanding of the sacraments. Continued promotion of vocation awareness via communication with a seminarian. Page 14
Continue with a First Eucharist Mass and reception on a Saturday morning. Confirmation Preparation To provide a parish program for youth preparing for Confirmation which includes sacramental catechesis, sponsor involvement, stewardship, a retreat, interviews and participation in a deanery celebration of Confirmation. Support a two-year process to fulfill Diocesan and Holy Infant requirements Provide candidate-only preparation sessions Provide two candidate/sponsor events Interview-with-the-pastor session Confirmation retreats for years one and two Essay about Confirmation saint selected Prepared 5 youth for Confirmation. Used Chosen Confirmation program (Ascension Press). Met from January to April between the Sunday Masses. Recruited new Confirmation catechist. Implement the Chosen Confirmation program. Include sponsors and parents in preparation, during year two, using the Chosen materials. Involve candidate in Diocesan Year I Confirmation Retreat. Recruit one Confirmation catechist. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) To provide a sense of welcome and community combined with age-appropriate catechetical methodology, spiritual formation and liturgical celebrations for all those over the age of seven who seek to follow Christ as a Catholic Christian. Year-round Inquiry sessions Year-round Catechumenate Celebration of Rites, as needed Page 15
Prepared and celebrated the Rite of Initiation for three candidates and one catechumen. Continue to develop the RCIA for children and teens as needed. Host a Diocesan formation session on the year-round RCIA process. Sponsor Couple Program (Marriage Preparation) To help prepare engaged couples for the sacrament of Marriage by discussing various facets of married life with experienced married couples. Sponsor couples meet with engaged couples approximately four times over the course of one to two months to discuss spiritual and practical aspects of married life. Transitioned to new ministry coordinators. In conjunction with the pastor, decided that all engaged couples would be strongly encouraged to go through the sponsor couple program for marriage preparation. In conjunction with the pastor, decided that the Marriage Preparation program would continue to use For Better and Forever as a resource book rather than Fully Engaged. Five engaged couples completed the sponsor couple program. Identified and recruited three new sponsor couples for the ministry. Train new sponsor couples prior to assigning them to engaged couples. Hold a social event for sponsor couples. Hold a social event around Valentine s Day for both sponsor couples and engaged or recently married couples. LITURGICAL COMMISSION To enrich and support the faith community of Holy Infant by acknowledging God s presence in the preparation and celebration of liturgical life in the parish. Altar Attendants To serve the community by assisting the presider during the liturgy to ensure that the liturgy proceeds smoothly. Page 16
Maintain an active membership sufficient to cover all liturgies. Recruit and train new altar attendants as needed. Conduct training and formation sessions. Altar Bread Bakers To prepare the bread used during the celebration of our Eucharistic liturgies. Provide the altar bread on a regular basis. Maintain an active membership. Recruit and train altar bread bakers as needed. Coordinate with bakers to be part of adoration on Holy Thursday. Altar Linens Caretakers To provide clean altar linens (and albs for the altar attendants) for our liturgies. Maintain an active membership that enables each member to serve at least once per quarter year. Recruit and train additional members as needed. Art and Environment To enhance our liturgies and special rites with a Christ-centered environment inside and outside the church building. Maintain an active membership of at least six members. Creatively enrich our parish environment according to the liturgical season and special liturgical needs. Meet with the Coordinator of Liturgy and the pastor prior to the change of each liturgical season to review expectations. Coordinate floral arrangements in the decoration of the church and altar as needed. Review, evaluate and replace church decorations as needed. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion To serve the community by distributing the Eucharist during liturgies. Page 17
Join the presider in distributing the Eucharist during liturgies Incorporate the essence of Diocesan norms into regular practice. Maintain an active membership. Recruit and train additional members as needed. Extraordinary Ministers to the Sick and Homebound To be Christ for others and to discover Christ more deeply in our own lives by taking the Eucharist to parishioners unable to attend liturgy. Faithfully serve, every weekend, every person from Holy Infant that is sick and/or homebound, and has requested to receive the Eucharist. Hold weekly group services each Sunday at Assisted Living Centers in Durham. Accommodate additional sick and homebound visits that do not readily conform to existing routes, e.g., temporary visitors from other parishes Recruit, train, and retain high-quality ministers to the sick and homebound. Collaborate with the Confirmation program to include Confirmation candidates and their sponsors on our weekly visits. Collaborate with the Yarn Ministry to deliver knitted items to our sick and homebound. Greeters To project a spirit of welcome to parishioners and guests so they may feel the hospitality and sense of inclusion afforded by a Christ-centered community. Greet people entering the church, assist visitors, provide hymnals or worship aids, collect the offertory, and facilitate the Presentation of the Gifts. Set up and clean up the coffee/tea welcoming center in the Church. Recruit and train additional greeters to maintain a total of 60 ministers. Conduct refresher training for current greeters to review ministry roles and responsibilities. Evaluate the ministry s processes on a quarterly basis. Hosts To coordinate the liturgical service with the presider to provide a ministry of hospitality to current, new and visiting parishioners. Page 18
Welcome the assembly, acknowledge guests, make announcements, and move the liturgy along at its proper pace. Assist the Greeters by welcoming people and assisting wherever needed. Attend to any special liturgical needs that might arise. Maintain five hosts for each liturgy. Hold training sessions as needed. Lectors To proclaim the liturgical readings in a well-prepared and spiritually-inspired manner. Proclaim the Word of God to the assembly. Meet as a group twice a year to practice the ministry; receive feedback; and discuss guidelines, questions and issues. Recruit and train new lectors to maintain at least eight lectors per liturgy. Liturgical Ministry Scheduling To ensure parishioners volunteering in liturgical ministries are adequately and fairly scheduled for their duties while avoiding as many time conflicts as possible. Maintain a web-based system for scheduling ministers. Provide assistance to ministers using the web system. Music Ministry To effectively lead the assembly in praise and worship through song, while observing all facets of the parish mission. Provide well-planned and well-rehearsed music for all Parish liturgies. Maintain an adequate and faithful Catholic repertoire. Provide adequate training that will improve ministers musicianship and understanding of the liturgy and scripture. Involve children and teens in some facet of Music Ministry. Recruit and train new cantors as needed. Recruit and train new music ministers. Page 19
Prepared a Christmas program with Adult and Children s choirs. Sacristan Maintain care of the Sacristy and all items needed for the celebration of Liturgy. Assist the pastor and the Director of Music and Liturgy as necessary to prepare for Mass. Assure maintenance and proper care of all materials needed for the celebration of Mass. Prepare all necessary items for celebration of Mass, placing them in their proper location. PEACE, JUSTICE & HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION The Peace, Justice and Human Concerns Commission works to promote an awareness of social justice issues within the Holy Infant community. It works to publicize opportunities for outreach activities, provide educational materials and make suggestions to the pastor concerning the disbursement of Charity and Justice funds. CROP Walk To raise at least $1,000 for the Durham CROP Walk from walkers sponsored by Holy Infant Catholic Church. Recruit sponsored walkers from Holy Infant, including youth ministries. Encourage each walker to set a personal goal to raise a minimum donation from sponsors. Increase donations year over year. DeSales Service Works DeSales Service Works (DSW) is a Catholic service organization sponsored by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and based in the heart of Camden, New Jersey. As DSW volunteers, the Holy Infant mission group lives, works, prays, serves and experiences a retreat in this urban setting. A DSW retreat involves hands-on work that is helpful to the people of Camden. It provides an opportunity to learn from Page 20
one another as we form relationships and share our common faith and compassion across economic, cultural, social and language differences. The DSW experience fosters the Christian worldview of St. Francis de Sales and brings the power of Salesian gentleness, humility and optimism to a very poor, hard-edged city. Sponsor an annual DeSales Service Works mission trip to Camden, N.J. Sponsored an Advent Retreat to Camden, N.J. with DeSales Service Works. Sponsored a Summer Retreat to Camden, N.J. with DeSales Service Works. Plan a retreat for July 2016 and October 2016. Invite Fr. Mike McCue to visit Holy Infant and discuss the benefits of our retreats to Camden. Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network (DIHN) To minister to the needs of participants within the Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network, an organization that addresses the needs of homeless families in Durham as they strive for residential stability. Provide hospitality, meals and fellowship to homeless families in the DIHN on a rotational basis. Serve as a support congregation with Resurrection United Methodist Church. Support the DIHN annual fundraising gala by contributing a basket and other available items for auction. Serve a meal each month at the DIHN stationary emergency shelter. A parishioner and the DIHN Executive Director participated in a panel discussion for the January 2015 HI-life Gathering. Holy Infant Youth Minister met with the DIHN Volunteer Coordinator to discuss potential service opportunities for the Holy Infant youth ministries. Support DIHN initiatives and continue to serve the community as DIHN undergoes an organizational transformation in 2016 to include a merger with Genesis Home. Food Pantry Page 21
To increase volunteer participation and donations of appropriate, non-perishable food and associated supplies for distribution to our neighbors in need and to victims of natural disasters. Continue to provide appropriate food items and non-perishable supplies, donated by Holy Infant parishioners, to Baby Love and Catholic Charities. Sort donated food/items and prepare bags for pick-up by Baby Love and Catholic Charities on a weekly basis. Provide more host announcements before Liturgies to remind parishioners about the Food Pantry program and the need to donate non-perishable food. Habitat for Humanity To assist in providing affordable housing to the Durham community. Direct interested parishioners to appropriate constructions and ReStore volunteer opportunities. Provide refreshments to Habitat events. Provide and publicize ongoing opportunities for interested parishioners to support Habitat for Humanity. Maintain a database of Holy Infant parishioners interested in Habitat and actively supporting this ministry. Held a special performance of The Santa Class which raised money for Habitat directly from parishioners and guests. Meals on Wheels To provide hot, nutritious noonday meals and personal contact to homebound people in the Durham community. Deliver 10 to 15 hot/cold noonday meals to Southern Durham County residents who are unable to provide for themselves. Operate Monday through Friday with most volunteers serving one or two days a month. Maintain communication and coordination with the Meals on Wheels main office staff to keep in touch with the latest policies and procedures. Page 22
Attend the yearly Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon sponsored by Meals on Wheels of Durham. Coordinator sent out a weekly reminder to volunteers who are scheduled to deliver in the coming week. This helped the coordinator know in advance if someone could not deliver. This also benefited the volunteer, reminding them of their delivery date. Recruited volunteers at a mini ministry fair after Mass. Recruited 3-4 volunteers from New Member Orientation. Recruit and train five to six new volunteers. Recognize the volunteers from Holy Infant via thank you notes, a small token of appreciation, etc. Respect Life Committee To educate parishioners about Respect Life issues while communicating and providing opportunities for parishioners to work on behalf of Respect Life issues such as euthanasia, abortion, the death penalty, biotechnology and economic justice. To celebrate the sanctity of human life in our parish community and liturgies. Encourage and promote spirituality of our parishioners and youth to pray for and support the sanctity of human life through our liturgies and other prayer opportunities throughout the year. Involve and encourage our Holy Infant youth to support and participate in Respect Life issues and events throughout the year. Plan and recruit volunteers for our annual Respect Life celebration in October. Communicate Respect Life topics and events using the bulletin, host announcements, parish website, bulletin board and atrium handouts. Provide opportunities of service and charity for our parishioners to support the ministries of Pregnancy Support Services and Catholic Charities. Provide educational materials related to Respect Life issues throughout the liturgical year. Work with other parishes in the Piedmont Deanery to share Respect Life information/activities and coordinate Respect Life activities with them. Communicate and initiate work with Holy Infant members in the Knights of Columbus to support Respect Life activities. Communicate information about Respect Life educational opportunities to students in high school and college. Page 23
Promoted the Celebration of Respect Life at all liturgies during the weekend of October 4, 2016. Collected 431 baby items and 93 gift cards totaling $1,895. Gift cards and baby items were delivered to Pregnancy Support Services and Catholic Charities. Ensured that Respect Life reading materials were available to parishioners after all the liturgies for two weekends in October. Four parishioners participated in Durham Life Chain in October 2014. Respect Life coordinators attended the annual Diocesan Respect Life Meeting. Assisted in coordinating a speaker from Pregnancy Support Services to present at the October Hi-life Gathering on Human Life and Dignity. Added three new members to the Respect Life Committee. Celebrated a Blessing of the Child in the Womb at all weekend liturgies during the 4th Sunday of Advent. Communicated information about the Love My Life youth rally to the parish through the bulletin, host announcement, electronic board, church website, and youth ministries. Communicated information about the National March for Life to parish through bulletin, website, electronic board and information left in the atrium and back of church. Communicated information about the Diocesan Mass for Life and the State Rally and March for Life through bulletin, electronic board, church website, host announcement and information and maps left in the atrium and the back of church. Two parishioners attended the State Rally and March for Life in January 2015. Offered a workshop about alternate living situations for elderly. Several parishioners participated in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils in front of the abortion clinic in Chapel Hill. Several parishioners attended the Mass for the third annual Fortnight for Freedom Campaign in June 2014. Communicated information about the fourth annual Fortnight for Freedom Campaign and Mass in June 25. Plan further educational opportunities relating to preparations for lifestyle changes and education for seniors. Initiate more inter-deanery communications and collaboration regarding life issues and sharing resources. Continue to network and collaborate with other Holy Infant ministries such as Youth ministries and Knights of Columbus. Share Your Christmas Committee To provide Christmas gifts for the needy of our community. Page 24
Provide gifts to Durham residents who are identified through Catholic Charities and Durham Social Services. Collect gifts and grocery gift cards to provide to Pregnancy Support Services, Baby Love and Catholic Charities. Schedule and coordinate the Gift Tag Selection Weekend and Gift Return Weekend. Maintain and update a list of active ministry members. Coordinate the delivery of Durham Social Services gifts. Donated baby gift bags to Welcome Baby of Durham. Information about the delivery of baby gift bags and a note to parish of Holy Infant was posted on the Welcome Baby Facebook page. Asked Durham Social Services to provide a list of more seniors in need. This was a huge success as seniors were selected at the highest rate from the selection board. Successfully moved selection and gift return to the Hospitality Room. Collected over $6,000 in grocery cards. Collected nearly $14,000 in gifts and gift bags. Added six new members to the ministry. Continue to look at an online sign-up system for the ministry. Provide photographs of the ministry activities for parish to use. Continue helping seniors with this program. Consider new ways to distribute and record names for blue grocery card signup stations. Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) Dinners To serve dinners on a scheduled basis to residents and guests at the Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD). Provide and serve the evening meal at the UMD on the third Sunday of 10 months per year. Ensure that all new and returning volunteers understand and follow the ministry guidelines and UMD policies. Encourage other Holy Infant ministries to donate their extra food items to the shelter throughout the year. Inform parishioners of the need for fresh produce at the shelter and encourage these donations. Page 25
Coordinate use of the church kitchen throughout the year with other Holy Infant ministries and events. Served 1,964 guests over the course of the year. Parish Work in Guatemala To involve parishioners and other individuals in the cross-cultural experience of working side by side and living the Gospel with our Mayan brothers and sisters in San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. Plan, organize and conduct a parish mission trip to San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala. Conduct coffee sales on the first Sunday of each month to involve the parish community in supporting the San Lucas mission. Held coffee sales each month to support the work of San Lucas Parish. Plan, organize and conduct a mission trip to San Lucas for January 2016. Continue monthly coffee sales. Yarn Ministry Utilizing the traditional yarn arts of knitting and crocheting, the Yarn Ministry seeks to: 1. Provide physical and emotional comfort to those in need through gifts of handcrafted garments, blankets and other useful items. 2. Create fellowship for persons who share a common interest in these arts. 3. Pass on these traditional arts by teaching others to knit and crochet. Maintain a supply of prayer shawls for donation to Holy Infant parishioners in need, as identified by the Extraordinary Ministers to the Sick and Homebound as well as members of the Prayer Network. Identify populations in need (as well as organizations that minister to them) that would benefit from handcrafted items prepared by the Yarn Ministry. Create prayer shawls for individuals served through Duke Hospice. Join efforts with members of United Yarn Ministries of Hope Valley to create items for designated community projects. Page 26
Create and sell handcrafted items at the annual Little Holiday Sale to generate funds for ministry projects. Participate in fellowship activities with the United Yarn Ministries of Hope Valley and other local fiber artists. Handcrafted and donated the following items: Prayer shawls to members of Holy Infant and Duke Hospice 105 cold-weather items to Immaculate Conception Church in Camden, N.J. 100 chemo caps to Duke Hospital 80 cold-weather items to Durham s homeless shelter Made financial contributions to Father Joe Brennan s parish in Wilmington, Delaware and to the nutritional supplement program at UNC Cancer Hospital. Supported projects of the King s Knitters at Christ the King Moravian Church by contributing baby items and squares for afghans. Contributed yarn to The Scrap Exchange and the Carrboro Arts Center. Joined the King s Knitters in social events, including our annual Yarn Retreat, Carolina Fiber Fest, annual December potluck, Durham Bulls Stitch n Pitch and Fifth Thursday nights at Dulce. Raised funds for projects through our annual Little Holiday Sale. Recruit new members and provide instructions in knitting and crochet for those who want to learn. Welcome participation from other local faith communities. Social Justice Education and Initiatives To enhance parishioners knowledge and understanding of social justice teachings in the Gospel, and opportunities for promoting justice in our local and global communities. Maintain the raised beds in the Holy Infant community garden to provide fresh vegetables and fruits to Catholic Charities, Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network and CAARE, Inc. and Feed My Sheep. Raise awareness and educate parishioners on how they can respond to local poverty in Durham through existing efforts of Durham Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods (CAN); Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA); End Poverty Durham and other local organizations. Recruit parishioners to get involved in social justice and environmental stewardship opportunities. Conduct a Bread for the World advocacy letter-writing session to aid efforts to reduce national and global hunger. Page 27
Delivered 2,125 pounds of fresh vegetables and fruit to Catholic Charities, Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network, CAARE, Inc. and Feed My Sheep. Added four new raised beds for a total of 25 raised beds in the Holy Infant community garden. Constructed a tool shed and compost bins for the community garden. Posted weekly Care of Creation bulletin announcements to help parishioners become more aware of upcoming social justice opportunities and pressing environmental issues. Worked with RePowering Durham/NCWARN and Durham Community Land Trustees to raise funds for the installation of Solar PV on a four-unit apartment complex for low-income housing. Conducted a Bread for the World advocacy letter writing campaign for parishioners. Sent more than 150 letters to Congress from Holy Infant parishioners. Increase visibility of the Holy Infant community garden by promoting monthly media notices such as slides, web announcements and emails. Increase parishioner attendance at the Durham CAN assembly by hosting a table after the October 25 th Liturgies to encourage parishioners to sign up. Increase the number of Bread for the World advocacy letters written from Holy Infant parishioners by hosting a table after Liturgies to promote the campaign. Present information on the Religious Coalition for Non-Violent Durham in order to raise awareness of restorative justice. Present information on the Durham Farm and Food Network public forum in order to increase parish awareness of advocacy for farmers and efforts to increase community gardens in Durham County. Host an informational session on the following programs, in response to issues raised by parishioners at last year s listening session: o A Helping Hand, a companion care nonprofit o The Assistive Technology agency (a North Carolina state service) o PharmAssist, a program that provides assistance with medication costs and advice on Medicare programs PARISH LIFE COMMISSION To develop parish life through community building and fellowship by offering programs and events to enrich and support the lives of the parishioners of Holy Infant. Funeral Reception Committee Page 28
To minister to the members of Holy Infant and their families in their time of sorrow by providing food and refreshments after funeral services. Provide receptions following funerals for parishioners and their family members. Committee members provide the food, set-up and clean-up. Health Ministry To enrich and support the lives of the Holy Infant faith community by promoting opportunities to increase awareness that a sound mind and sound body enhance a sound spirit. Provide advice and support to the parish regarding health-related equipment, facilities and services. Provide health and wellness educational opportunities. Sponsor blood drives and health-screening programs. HI Society To plan and implement social events to foster fellowship among single and married parishioners aged forty and over. Gather eight times per year for a fellowship potluck. Holy Infant Golf Association (HIGA) To bring parish members together to share the game of golf and to promote fellowship, foster new relationships within our parish life, provide opportunities to gather together on a regular basis, and serve and contribute to the Holy Infant community. Provide opportunities for fellowship by sponsoring golf outings. Identify projects in the Holy Infant community where HIGA members can contribute their time, talent and treasure. Social Events To promote fellowship and community by providing social events where parishioners can get together. Page 29
Organize events in response to specific requests from pastor and parish administration. Members are involved in event planning, promotion, facilities preparation, food preparation and entertainment. Centering Prayer To provide an opportunity for parishioners to pray and support one another in the style of contemplative prayer. Weekly contemplative prayer meetings. Activities in affiliation with Triangle Contemplative Outreach. Prayer Network To minister to the needs of God s people in our parish and beyond by offering prayer and support through a daily e-mail and telephone ministry. Prayer ministers pray for the needs of the community as expressed in prayer requests received by the network coordinators. This ministry is coordinated primarily by phone and email. Servants of God Prayer Group To bring renewal to individuals in the church through the power of the Holy Spirit and to proclaim the Good News and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Bi-weekly prayer meetings on Saturday evenings for sharing reflections and insights on the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Participation in Diocesan charismatic activities and charismatic conferences. Scouting Religious Emblem Instruction To provide instruction and preparation to earn the religious emblems within scouting. Page 30
Provide instruction to scouts who choose to earn the religious emblem. Scouts learn how to apply the core values and principles of their scouting organization while enriching their Catholic faith. Young Adult Ministry To build relationships and spiritual fortitude in young adults 18-35 by providing opportunities for fellowship, service and faith conversations. Trivia nights Bible study Social events Page 31