Spirituality

This Spirituality Subcommittee report, to enhance the spiritual dimensions of our parish, is the result of studying the Long Range Planning Survey, SWOT Analysis and parish benchmarking results. Particular attention focused on our various liturgies, our church environment, and evangelization in order to enhance parishioner participation in the spiritual life of our parish.

Goal #1: Encourage and promote active participation in parish life

• Investigate the possible relocation of the tabernacle to the church sanctuary, as well as the addition of statuary.
• Discern meaningful spiritual “evening pot-luck” topics important for SJA families.
• Promote spiritual growth using a CD rack in the narthex with topics from Catholic presenters on faith issues.
• Publish or purchase articles by prominent Catholic writers for inclusion in the bulletin monthly.
• Annual parish off site adult retreat (1-3 days).
• Welcome celebration for families of newly baptized children, providing them with a spiritual gift from the parish.
• Annual Ministry Fair conducted to educate and recruit new and current members.

Goal # 2: Promote full, conscious and active participation in the Liturgy

• Publications/information in the bulletin, the TTT, parish/school web site and in mailings to all SJA families to reinforce the importance of always attending Mass on weekends and Holy Days.
• Reinstitute Mass of Anticipation (Vigil Mass) for Holy Days at 7:00 p.m.
• Increase parishioner understanding of the Mass through catechesis by parish clergy.
• Develop a program or ministry to those “newly married”.

Goal # 3: Evangelize our parishioners within our Faith Community

• Follow guidelines set up by our parish diocesan evangelization representative.
• Initiate an evangelization team to reach out to inactive parishioners.

Goal # 4: Promote spiritual growth and development of an active faith life in our SJA youth

• Assist the Youth Director to encourage SJA youth to participate in the weekend Masses as lectors, ushers, music and servers.

Financial Stability

This Financial Stability Subcommittee report to strengthen the financial aspects of our parish, is the result of studying the Long Range Planning Survey, SWOT Analysis and parish benchmarking results. Of particular focus were stewardship, capital needs, and long term gifting.

Goal #1: Encourage and develop stewardship to enhance general operating support

• Make it easier to give regularly (irrespective of Mass attendance).
• Develop and promote an “Adopt-a-Student” program in our parish.
• Develop an ongoing program for people interested in targeted giving.
• Raise the contribution expectations of parishioners with children in SJA School who are not regular or significant contributors – educate them on the parish’s level of support.
• Provide high school and college age parishioners with envelopes for weekly contributions.
• Implement a program that will ask parishioners to annually evaluate their level of giving.
• Educate parishioners more frequently about levels of giving and parish requirements.
• Include education on stewardship in all new parishioner materials.
• Effectively communicate important financial matters to the parish more frequently.

Goal #2: Build capital to maintain and enhance parish facilities 

• Develop and mount a parish capital campaign to fund demonstrated costs of significant repairs/replacements, enhancements and additions to the St. Joan of Arc physical plant.
• Educate the parish regarding specific capital projects and our need to complete them.
• Set policies to restrict parish equity usage for approved capital purposes, having considered and maintained an appropriate safety reserve.

Goal #3: Develop an ongoing program for encouraging parishioners to consider long-term gifts (i.e. bequests, life insurance policies…) to the parish and promote contributions to an endowment for the future needs of our parish 

• Promote bequests and life insurance donations.
• Implement formal information sessions presented by professional parishioners (attorneys, certified financial planners) to educate the parish on the subject.
• Create a parish endowment fund and solicit contributions.
• Integrate the school and parish endowments into one endowment for the parish.

Facilities

This Facilities Subcommittee report identifies facility repairs, improvements and expansions to meet the capital needs of our parish looking out five years.  The subcommittee divided the SJA Community into three study areas: the church, which includes meeting and office space in addition to liturgical needs; the school, and the grounds or complex.  Implementation of these projects is subject to our financial resources and any repairs deemed imminent.

Goal #1: The Church: the nave, office and meeting room expansion

• Rebuild the bell tower  - new structure and hardware.
• Tabernacle relocation and replacement.
• Updated control system for lighting in the nave.
• Replace critical plumbing.
• Expansion of current limited meeting space with a new community room space including addition of kitchen, storage and basement.
• Relocation of the sacristy, usher’s room, bride’s room and offices.

 Goal #2: The School, educational, support and maintenance facilities expansion

• Necessary gym floor expansion joint repairs.
• Lavatory upgrades to address environmental and safety concerns.
• Recarpet classrooms, add and update student lockers and in-room closets, expand electrical systems to support computers.
• “Power School” Student data project – school administrative software.
• Replace and recycle computers in the existing computer lab.
• Provide plans for future school expansion should enrollment require / permit.
  • Student cafeteria, expanded kitchen.
  • Pre-school program.
  • Small chapel.
  • Music room, art room, science room, enlarge library/media center.
  • Enlarge extended day-care area.

Goal #3: Grounds and complex

• Parking lot asphalt repairs – mill, repave and line.
• Rectory landscape improvements – plan and replace.
• Enlarge maintenance and storage garage.
• Contemplate offsite athletic practice area.

Education

This Education Subcommittee report, focusing on the educational aspects of our parish, is the result of studying the Long Range Planning Survey, SWOT Analysis and parish benchmarking results. Of particular focus were catechetical needs, young couples, families, youth, school and parish unification, and appropriate media for our message.

Goal # 1: Determine the catechetical and social needs and resources of the parish

• Hold a pastoral interview with new families to learn spiritual needs and interests.
• Create an atmosphere of “lay leadership” in the parish.
• Promote time for structured spiritual growth.

Goal # 2: Explore opportunities for young couples to learn and grow in their faith

• Encourage and promote a newly married ministry.
• Renew our focus on participation and spiritual growth – take advantage of wedding/ baptisms as.
• opportunities for catechesis for new/young members.
• Personal contact with those who are newly registered – Welcome to Your Parish.

Goal # 3: Involve families parish wide

• Hold a monthly fellowship day after church – pick and rotate Mass coverage.
• Invite all members of St. Joan of Arc Parish to Mass.
• Create and leverage a Family Mass once a month into a series on modeling our faith – teach adults about their role in the faith development of our youth.
• Encourage prayer in the home – use bulletin to provide daily prayers for families – reach the families though the children.

Goal # 4: Liturgical opportunities for parish youth – high school and college

• Youth Mass with youth group session immediately following .
• Determine how Confirmation affects our youth - are they present or not present at all following this event in their faith lives.

Goal # 5: Educational activities that bring our school and parish together

• Mandate that parents attend sacramental preparation with their child and provide parents only sessions to catechize them beyond the child’s materials.
• Use RCIA updates to challenge faith knowledge in parish.
• Invite school parents to renew/revisit their faith.

Goal # 6: Use electronic and web-based approaches to educate and strengthen parishioner’s faith lives

• Establish a web page incorporating ministries and school resources – use content that is timely, informative, and relevant.
• Utilize revised bulletin – new format = more free space.
• Weekly e-mails – catechesis, calendar/invitation, prayer/meditation, youth group.
• Database of time (talent, treasure) – who can help and how.