ParishSocialMinistryRegionalTraining ParishSocialMinistry LeadersTrack

Introduction Loveofneighbor,groundedintheloveofGod,isfirstandforemostaresponsibilityfor eachindividualmemberofthefaithful,butitisalsoaresponsibilityfortheentire ecclesialcommunityateverylevel:fromthelocalcommunitytotheparticularChurch andtotheChurchuniversalinitsentirety.Asacommunity,theChurchmustpractice love.Lovethusneedstobeorganizedifitistobeanorderedservicetothecommunity. ~PopeBenedictXVI,DeusCaritasEst#20 Goodworkshappenareallaroundus.PeoplemakeGospelbaseddecisionsandselfless, heroicactionstobenefitotherswithoutbeingpromptedallofthetime.But,ifwelook morecloselyatmanyoftheactionsthathavecapturedtheimaginationandignited changeacrossourcommunities,wesoonfindthatthereoftenismorethanmeetsthe eye. Behindthescenesarepeople,whoaretrainingotherstoactstrategicallyandrespond nonviolently,whoaremakingthearrangementsandraisingthefunds,whoarebuilding therelationshipsanddoingtheresearch,uponwhichthefoundationfortheprophetic messageandactionrests. ItisthisbehindthescenesworkthatPopeBenedictXVIacknowledgeswhenhecallus tobeorganizedinlovingourneighboratourparishes.Forjustaswemustpracticeany disciplinethatwedesiretobegoodat,wemustpracticegoodworksandlove.Bybeing intentionalwiththedesignandmannerofexecutionofparishsocialministry,whatwe doandhowwedoitwillbeanexpressionofloveanddiscipleship. Objectives Attheendofthistrack,participantswillhavethetoolstobeparishsocialministry leaders.Duringthistrack,wewillpracticestrategiesandreviewprocessesthatwillhelp aparishsocialministryleaderwiththreeoftheirmostimportantresponsibilities.These threeresponsibilitiesare:

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ProvideVisionandDirectionProvidevisionanddirectiontothesocialministry workoftheparishbyfacilitatingtheplanningprocessanddevelopingastructure forexecutionandaccountability. EngageParishionersandDevelopLeadershipInvitenewpeopletosharetheir talentsandkeeppeopleinvolvedinparishsocialministrywhilehelpingthemto developtheskillstheyneedtokeepsocialministryrelevantandvibrant. KeepMinistryGroundedinFaithSeekandprovideopportunitiesforspiritual developmentandtheformationofconscience,tostrengthenthefaithbased connectiontowhatyoudoandhowyoudoit.

Intherestofthistrack,wewillunpacktheseresponsibilitiesandprepareyoutoreturn toyourparishwithsomeofthetoolsthatyouwillneedtoprovidesomeleadershipto yourparish. Participantswillalsospendtimenetworkingandworkingtogetherwithotherleadersin parishsocialministryfromtheirregion.Thisisacriticalcomponentofthetrack. Participantsareencouragedtocreateacadreofparishsocialministerswithwhomthey canshareideasandsupportoneanother.

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PartI:FocusingParishSocialMinistry Ithelps,nowandthen,tostepbackandtakealongview. Thekingdomisnotonlybeyondourefforts, itisbeyondourimagination.(BishopKenUntener) Oneofthebiggestchallengesofparishsocialministryistogetstartedinyourparishor keepitvibrantonceitexists.Therearesomanycompellingneedsandsourcesof injusticeinourimperfectworld.Itisdifficulttodeterminewhataparishcandoto respond.Furthermore,themissionofaparishencompassesthesocialmission,butitis broaderthanit.Assuch,theparishmuststaytruetoitsmissiontodrawpeopleinto deeper,morefruitfulrelationshipwithGodandoneanotherandtomaketheGospel relevantinthelivesofitsparishioners.Socialministrycanbeasynergisticelementin helpingtheparishtodothis,butonlyifthisisdonewithcareandintentionality. Thispacketoutlinesaprocessforgettingparishsocialministrystartedinawaythat buildsoffyourvisionforwhattheparishcanbe.Ifsocialministryisarealityinyour parish,utilizingthisprocesscanhelptogroworinvigorateyourefforts.Eitherway,it willhelpyourparishbuildaninfrastructurethatwillsupportsocialministryoverthe longrun.Thisprocessincludeseightsteps: 1. Seekapprovalfromthepastorandpastoralcounciltobeginafocusingprocess forparishsocialministry. 2. Conveneagroupofparishleaderswhoarewillingtobeapartofthefocusing processforsocialministry. 3. Reviewanddiscussfoundationalparishsocialministrymaterials,suchas CommunitiesofSaltandLight:ReflectionsontheSocialMissionoftheParishby theU.S.ConferenceofCatholicBishopsorthe12CharacteristicsofSuccessful ParishSocialMinistry,andassessthecurrentstateofyourparishsocialministry efforts. 4. Assessthesocialministryneeds,wantsandcapacityofyourparish. 5. Basedonthegroupsunderstandingofparishsocialministryandhowit intersectswithyourparishsneeds,wantsandcapacity,write(orreview)the missionandvisionstatementsforsocialministryatyourparish. 6. Writeasetofmanageablegoalsandspecifictasksthatcanberealistically completedwiththeidentifiedresourcesinoneyeartosupportthemissionand vision. 7. Seekapprovalfromthepastorandpastoralcouncilforthemissionandvision statements,goalsandtasksofparishsocialministry. 8. Assignresponsibilitiesandcreateasystemofaccountabilityusingan organizationalchart. ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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Inthenextpages,wewillrevieweachoneofthesestepsinmoredetail. Step1:Seektheblessingofthepastorandpastoralcounciltobeginafocusing processforparishsocialministry. Justasintheworkplace,youneedtoseekapprovalfromasupervisorbeforestartinga newinitiative.Intheparish,youneedtoseektheapprovalofthepastorandtheparish councilbeforebeginningaprocessofassessingsocialministryinyourparishinthe hopesofbeginning,growing,orstreamliningthem.Yourwillingnesstotaketheparish throughthisprocessmaybeareliefforapastororparishcouncilthathavealready wantedtogointhisdirection,buthavenothadthetimeorcapacitytodoit.Your willingnessmayalsobemetwithskepticismbyoverworkedpastorsorparishcouncils leeryoftakingonmore. Thepurposeofthisprocesswillneedtobeemphasized.Thefocusingprocesswill determinehowyourparishcanbringtolifethewordsofCommunitiesofSaltandLight, Effectivesocialministryhelpstheparishnotonlydomore,butbemoremoreofa reflectionofthegospel,moreofaworshippingandevangelizingpeople,moreofa faithfulcommunity.1 Anotherimportantreasonforstartingbytalkingwiththepastorandparishcouncilis thateffectiveparishsocialministryisnotisolatedfromotherfacetsofparishlife.The insightsandsupportofthepastorandpastoralcouncilwillbecriticalinhelpingto integratesocialministryintoparishlifeinawaythathelpstheparishcommunityto growinlovewithGodandneighborandusherforththeReignofGodinourmidst. Whenaskingforblessingtogothroughtheprocess,bepreparedto: Speaktothepurposeofparishsocialministryandhowitreinforcesotherfacets ofparishlife.Thiswillbeespeciallyimportantifparishsocialministryisnewto yourparish. Answerquestionsabouttheprocessincluding:whowillbeinvolvedorwillbe invitedtobeinvolvedintherefocusingeffortsandwhenthepastororpastoral councilsinputwillbesoughtintheformalprocess,e.g.duringthestepwhere thegroupwillbeassessingneeds,passionsandcapacity. Seektheirinput.Theymayhaveavisionforparishsocialministry,suggestions onhowtheprocessisdesignedorapersonwhowilladdahelpfulperspectiveto thefocusinggroup. Speaktohowthiseffortwillinteractwithallthatisgoingonintheparish.Be awareofallthattheparishhasgoingon.

(UnitedStatesConferenceofCatholicBishops,1994)

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Howyoudeliverthemessagewillhelptodetermineitssuccess.Berespectfulofthe time,talentandfaithofthepeopleintheroomwho,likeyou,believeincontributingto theirparishasawayofdiscipleship. Ifthepastororparishcouncildecidesnottogiveyoutheirblessingtogoforwardwith thisprocessatthistime,findoutwhy.Therearelegitimatereasonswhyaparishisnot inaplacetosupportthisprocess.Beopentohearingthose.Beopentobeingapartof effortsthatmayhelptoreadytheparishforthisprocess. Step2:Conveneagroupofparishleaderswhoarewillingtobeapartoftheprocess. Thepurposeofthefocusinggroupistoimaginethepossibilitiesofsocialministryand determinehowtomakethosepossibilitiesaneffective,vibrantrealityinyourparish. Thegroupwillproduceorredesignthemissionandvisionstatements,goals,tasksand organizationalstructureforparishsocialministry. EvenifthereisaParishSocialMinistryCommitteeattheparish,itwillbeimportantto createaspecialgrouptobeapartoftheprocess,evenifitdrawsheavilyfromthe committee.Theyarenotsigninguptobeapartofastandingcommittee. Asyouinvitepeopletobeapartofthegroup,youwillwanttoconsiderthefollowing: Thegroupshouldconsistofbetweensixandtwelvepeople. Thegroupshouldbe: o Representativeofthediversityofyourparish, o Interestedinparishsocialministry, o Skilledinstrategicplanning,and o Knowledgeableofandconnectedintheparishandcommunity.

Letthegroupknowhowyouintendtogothroughthefocusingprocesswiththem.Set upatimelinefortheprocess. Step3:Reviewanddiscussfoundationalparishsocialministrymaterials,suchas CommunitiesofSaltandLight:ReflectionsontheSocialMissionoftheParishbythe U.S.ConferenceofCatholicBishopsorthe12CharacteristicsofSuccessfulParishSocial Ministry,andassessthecurrentstateofyourparishsocialministryefforts. Atthebeginningoftheprocess,learnmoreaboutparishsocialministrytogetideas abouthowyourparishcanbestcareforpoorandvulnerablepeopleandworkforjustice asanexpressionoftheirloveforGod.Reviewanddiscussinformationonparishsocial ministry,suchastheU.S.ConferenceofCatholicBishopsStatementCommunitiesof SaltandLight:ReflectionsontheSocialMissionoftheParish,orreadthe12 CharacteristicsofSuccessfulParishSocialMinistry.Youmayalsowanttovisitparishes withflourishingsocialministryefforts. ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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Onceyouhaveanideaofwhatparishsocialministryisintendedtobe,doan assessmentofyourparishsefforts.Howisyourparishlivingoutthiscall?Arethere areasthatyouhadnotconsideredbefore?Arethereareasthatreceivethemajorityof yourattention? Step4:Assessthesocialministryneeds,wantsandcapacityofyourparish. Parishsocialministrycanbechallengingbecausetherearesomanycompellingneeds andsourcesofinjusticeinourimperfectworld.Thismakesitdifficulttodeterminewhat aparishcandotorespond.Aparishcannotdoeverything.However,ifitusesitsgifts wiselyandbelievesinwhatitisdoing,aparishcaneffectivelydosocialministry. Thekeytoeffectivesocialministryistofindtheconvergencebetweenneeds,wantsand capacityintheparish. Needsrepresentstheassaultstolifeanddignityinourcommunitiesand world.Itistheunmetneedofpoor,vulnerableandsufferingpeopleintheparish family,thecommunity,andtheworld. Wantsrepresenttheproblemsthatparishionerswanttoseeaddressed.Itis criticaltodeterminethewantsoftheparishionersbecausesocialministrywill relyontheirsupportandeffortinordertoprosper. Capacityrepresentsthetime,talentandtreasureofaparish.Itassesseswhat giftsaparishcanbringtobearforsocialministry.

Needs

Capacity

Wants

Youwillfindthattherearemanythingsthatareneeded.Therewillalsobemanythings thatarewanted.Yourparishscapacitymayalsosurpriseyou.Thisdoesnotmeanthat youshouldrushoutandtacklealloftheneedsandwantswithallofthecapacitythat youhave.Thiswillleadtoburnout,duplicationofeffort,andinefficiency. ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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Rather,theparishshouldfocusontheneedsthatmatchuptothewantsoftheparish, forwhichthereisthecapacitytorespond.Asinthepictureabove,thecircles representingneed,wantandcapacityaremuchlargerthantheareaofintersection betweenthethreecircles.Inthisway,youshouldchooseeffortsforwhichthereisa need,andforwhichtheparishhasthedesireandcapacitytorespond. Istronglyencourageparishestobegintheprocessoffindingthesweetspotwith determiningtheircapacity.Allpeopleandparisheshavesomethingtogiveand somethingthattheyaregoodat.Itisimportanttorememberthatnomatteraperson orparishessocioeconomicsituation,weallhavesomethingtogive. DeterminingCapacity Determiningyourparishssocialministrycapacitywillidentifyalltheresourcesthatthe communitycoulduseorworktogetherwith.Youwillwanttoconsulttheparishstaffor thepastorandbrainstormideastoanswerthesequestions: Whatarethetalentsofthepeopleinyourparish? Whatsupport,staffandvolunteer,doyouhave? Whataretwoorthreephysicalassetsofyourparishavailableforyouruse? Whatistheparishgoodat? Whatgroupsofpeopledoyouconnectwithinyourcommunityorinthebroader CatholicChurch? Whatorganizationshavesomethingincommonwithyourparish? WhatsignshaveyouseenlatelyofGodsgraceintheworld? Whatisthebudgetforparishsocialministry?

DeterminingNeeds Toassessneedandinjustice,beginbyreviewingcensusdataofthearea.Consider factorsrelatedtohousing,employment,income,andeducation.Inwhichoftheseareas aretheissuesmorepressingthanintherestofthestateoracrossthecountry.For example,youmayfindthatthepercentageofhighschoolgraduatesislowerrelativeto therestofthestateorthecountry. Next,consultexpertsonpovertyinyourcommunity.Expertscanbefoundin communityorganizationsthatareworkingtoaddressneedandinjustice,likeCatholic Charities.Thereareafewthingsyouwillwanttolearnfromtheexperts:doestheir experiencereinforcetheinformationthatyouhavefoundontheCensusdata,whatdo theyseeasmissing,wherearethegapsinthesystem,whatbarriersarepreventing peoplefromrealizingtheirpotential.Forexample,theremaybefoodpantriesinthe area,buttransportationmaynotbeavailabletomakethemaccessibletopeoplewho needthem. ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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DeterminingWants Determiningyourparishssocialministrywantswillidentifywhattheparishwantsto seechanged.Thewantsoftheparishwillbebasedoffoftheopinionsofparishioners. Theonlywaytodeterminethisistoaskthem.Theinformationcouldbesoughtthrough asurveyorafocusgroup.Besuretoseekinputinaconcertedwayfromthepastorand pastoralcouncil. SeePartI:Handoutsforasamplesurvey. Onceyouhavedeterminedtheneeds,wantsandcapacity,youwillwanttofindthe areasofoverlapbetweenthethree.Youwillwanttolookatthemcreatively,drawing ontheuniqueperspectiveofeveryoneinthegrouptoseehowtheneeds,wantsand capacitycometogether.Determiningthiswillformthefoundationofyourvisionand missionstatements,goalsandtasks. Step5:Basedonintersectionofsocialministryneeds,wantsandcapacity,write(or review)yourmissionandvisionstatementsforsocialministryatyourparish. Amissionstatementbrieflycommunicatestheessenceofparishsocialministrytothe parishcommunityandtothoseitserves.Itstates: whoweare whatwedo whatwestandfor whywedoit

Avisionstatementdescribesacompellingimageofwhattheparishsocialministrycan become.Ittouchesonvaluesandhopes.Avisionstatementneedstobereal, attainableandbelievableandabletobetranslatedintoactionsthatcanbe implementedovertime. TheprocessthatIsuggestforwritingthesetwostatementsistocometogethertwo differenttimes.Atthefirstmeeting,haveeachindividualfillouttheworksheetsin AppendixII.Then,discuss.Afteraspecifiedperiodoftime,endtheconversationand havesomeonedraftamissionstatementandthenvisionstatementbasedonthe sharingofthegroup.Atasecondmeeting,reviewandadoptthestatements. Itisoftenusefultodesignateafacilitator,notamemberofthegroup,tobothfacilitate thediscussionandtodraftthestatements. Step6:Writeasetofmanageablegoalsandspecifictasksthatcanberealistically completedwiththeidentifiedresourcesinoneyeartosupportthemissionandvision. ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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Bringthemissionandvisionstatementstogetherwiththeinformationthatyou gatheredabouttheneeds,wantsandcapacityofyourparishtocreatealistofgoals. Fromthegoals,writealistoftasksthatsupportthegoalsandcanbecompletedinone year.Createabudgetfortheplanandincludethenumberofpeoplewhowillbe neededtocompleteit. Step7:Seekapprovalfromthepastorandpastoralcouncilforthemissionandvision statements,goalsandtasksofparishsocialministry. Returntothepastorandparishcouncilwiththisstrategicplan.Thepurposeofseeking theirapprovalatthisstageisnottoseekinputonit.Youareaskingthemtoapproveit. Theirapprovalmaybecontingentuponachangeortwo,butthedesignportionofthe processhasbeencompleted. Step8:Createaleadershipstructureresponsibleforongoingcoordinationofparish socialministry. Onceyourplanhasbeencreated,youwillneedpeoplewhowillberesponsiblefor overseeingtheimplementationoftheplanandforcarryingoutthespecifictasksthat youhaveidentified.Dependinguponthesizeofyourparish,thesemaybedifferent people. Thepeoplewhowilltakeresponsibilityforoverseeingtheimplementationoftheplan willbetheleaders.TheseleadersoftenformaParishSocialMinistryCommittee. Throughtheireffortandcoordination,thecommitteemakesitpossibleforaparishto provideanorganized,effectiveservicetothecommunitythatengagestheparish communityandittoadeeperrelationshipwithChrist. Givingcaretodesigningthisstepwillhelpkeepyourparishsocialministryefforts runningsmoothlyoverthelongrun.

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Exercise1:ParishAssessmentCurrentStatusofSocialMinistry Thisassessmentwillusethecharacteristicsofsuccessfulsocialministrytogiveyoua perspectiveofyourparishssocialministry.Takethenextfewminutestoreviewthese characteristicsinlightofavisionforyourparishsocialministry. TheFoundationalCharacteristicsofOurMinistry 1. Theparishengagesinpassionateworship,steepedinjoyandgratitude,fora lovingandpresentGodwhoisconstantlyshoweringgiftsandloveuponHis children. Theparishlovinglyacceptstheblessednessandbrokennessofallhumans andourworld,andbelievesthatwithGodsgracethingscanbemademore perfect. TheparishisledbytheWordofGod,thelifeandministryofJesusChrist,and theteachingandlivingwitnessoftheChurchtoseekunionwithGodandthe manifestationofthekingdomonearth.

2.

3.

Howisthisbeinglivedoutinyourparish?Arethereareasofstrengththatcanbebuilt upon?Aretherechallengesthatshouldbeaddressed? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ TheCharacteristicsoftheActionsOurMinistriesTake 4. Theparishministerstoandwithpoor,vulnerableandsufferingpeople,giving specialattentiontothosewhoarepoor,withoutdifferentiatingbetween whoisamemberoftheparishandwhoisnot. Theparishsupportsaspectrumofsocialministrythatincludesacombination ofrelief,individualdevelopment,communitydevelopment/organizing, partnershipandstructuralchangestrategiestoaddresssymptomsand sourcesofsuffering,needandinjusticelocallyandbeyond. Theparishseesministryasfundamentallyrelational,developingloving, accountable,reconcilingrelationshipsinthecongregationandbeyond, especiallywiththoseonthemargins. Theparishcreatesauniqueministrythatrespondstotheneedsofthetime andplaceandisbuiltuponthegiftsandinterestsoftheparish.

5.

6.

7.

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Howisthisbeinglivedoutinyourparish?Arethereareasofstrengththatcanbebuilt upon?Aretherechallengesthatshouldbeaddressed? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ TheCharacteristicsofOurMinistersandTheirDevelopment 8. 9. 10. Theparishcultivatesindividualandcommunalspiritualgrowthand wholeness. Theparishfacilitatestheformationofconscienceofitsparishioners. Theparishhelpsparishionersrecognizeandactonopportunitiesforministry inallareasofthelifefamily,church,work,school,civicsociety,etc.

Howisthisbeinglivedoutinyourparish?Arethereareasofstrengththatcanbebuilt upon?Aretherechallengesthatshouldbeaddressed? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ TheCharacteristicsofOurFaithCommunity 11. Theparishseeksunityamongministriesforintegratedapproachtothe proclamationoftheWord,thecelebrationofthesacramentsandthe provisionofsocialministryforthetransformationofheartsandtheworld. Theparishsustainsministrybycalling,equippingandsupportingleadersof faith,vision,courage,integrityandpassiontostrategize,organize,execute andevaluateefforts.

12.

Howisthisbeinglivedoutinyourparish?Arethereareasofstrengththatcanbebuilt upon?Aretherechallengesthatshouldbeaddressed? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ OverallAssessment ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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Exercise2:IdeasforaVisionStatementforYourParish Takethenextfewminutestojotdownsomeideasthatyouwouldbringtoadiscussion onthevisionforyourparishsocialministry. AVisionStatement: DescribesthepossibilitiesthattheParishSocialMinistrymightachieveinthe future, CreatesacompellingimageofwhattheParishSocialMinistrycanbecome, Alludestothevaluesandhopesoftheparish,and Canbetranslatedintoactionsthatcanbeimplementedovertime.

WhatwordsorphrasesdescribeyourvisionofParishSocialMinistry? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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PartI:Handouts ParishNeedsSurvey AsdisciplesofChristJesus,whocametobringgladtidingstothepoor,toproclaim libertytocaptivesandrecoveryofsighttotheblind,tolettheoppressedgofree,andto proclaimayearacceptabletotheLord,ourparishisreviewingoureffortstocarefor thepoorandvulnerableandworkforjustice(Luke4:1819).Yourinsightsintothe communityareaninvaluablepartofthisprocess. Onthissheetyouwillfindalistofsomecommonlyexpressedproblemsinacommunity. Reviewthelistandchecktheproblemareasthatyoufeelexistinourcommunity.Add anythatarenotlisted.Atthebottomofthepaper,pleasewritethosethreeproblems thatyouthinkaretheMOSTcritical. _____Loneliness _____Unemployment _____SubstanceAbuse _____Transportation _____Discrimination/Racism _____VocationalTraining _____Housing(access,costorquality) _____Hunger _____Pollution/ClimateChange _____Safety/Violence _____DisrespectforHumanLife _____LackofRecreationalFacilities _____Abuse(spouse,childorparent) WhatarethethreeMOSTcriticalneeds? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ _____Other: _________________________________ _________________________________ _____MentalIllness _____DayCare(access,costorquality) _____Education(costorquality) _____HealthCare(access,costor quality)

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MissionandVisionWorksheets MissionStatementWorksheet WhatisaMissionStatement? CommunicatestheessenceoftheParishSocialMinistryCommitteetothe parishcommunityandtothoseitserves. Stateswhoweare Stateswhatwedo Stateswhatwestandfor Stateswhywedoit

Missionstatementsarebriefacoupleofsentences/nomorethanashort paragraph Describesthebigpicture

Whoarewe? Whatdowedo? Whatdowestandfor? Whydowedoit? ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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VisionStatementWorksheet AVisionStatement: DescribesthepossibilitiesthattheParishSocialMinistrymightachieveinthe future, CreatesacompellingimageofwhattheParishSocialMinistrycanbecome, Alludestothevaluesandhopesoftheparish,and Canbetranslatedintoactionsthatcanbeimplementedovertime.

WhatwordsorphrasesdescribeyourvisionoftheParishSocialMinistry?

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PartII:EngageParishionersandDevelopLeadership Vibrantparishsocialministryinvitesthewholeparishtobeinvolvedandcreatesreal opportunitiesforpeopleofallskillsandavailabilitytobeengaged.Theparishhasadual responsibilitytoprovideaservicetothecommunitythroughitseffortsandtoform parishionerstoactonopportunitiesinallfacetsoftheirlives.Inthispart,wewillfocus onenhancingtwocharacteristicsofvibrantparishsocialministry: 1. Theparishsustainsministrybycalling,equippingandsupportingleadersoffaith, vision,courage,integrityandpassiontostrategize,organize,executeand evaluateefforts. 2. Theparishhelpsparishionersrecognizeandactonopportunitiesforministryin allareasoftheirlifefamily,church,work,school,civicsociety,etc. Thispacketoutlinesawaytosegmentdifferentrolestoengageparishionersinforsocial ministry.Allpeoplewillbevolunteeringfortheparish,soforpurposesofclarification, wewillclassifythesevolunteersintothreegroups:leaders,coordinatorsand participants. Leader Behindthescenesinvibrantparishsocialministryarevolunteers,whoaretraining otherstoactstrategicallyandrespondnonviolently,whoareraisingthefunds,whoare buildingtherelationshipsanddoingtheresearch,uponwhichthefoundationforthe propheticmessageandactionrests.Thesevolunteersaretheleaders.Throughtheir effortandcoordination,leadersmakeitpossibleforaparishtoreachoutwardtomeet theneedsofpoorandvulnerablepeopleandworkforjusticeandreachinwardto engagethewholefaithcommunityandpromotegrowthinloveofGodandneighbor. Nomatterwhatthesizeofyourparish,youaregoingtoneedleaderswhocan: ProvideVisionandDirectionProvidevisionanddirectiontothesocialministry workoftheparishbyfacilitatingtheplanningprocessanddevelopingastructure forexecutionandaccountability. EngageParishionersandDevelopLeadershipInvitenewpeopletosharetheir talentsandkeeppeopleinvolvedinparishsocialministrywhilehelpingthemto developtheskillstheyneedtokeepsocialministryrelevantandvibrant. KeepMinistryGroundedinFaithSeekandprovideopportunitiesforspiritual developmentandtheformationofconscience,tostrengthenthefaithbased connectiontowhatyoudoandhowyoudoit. OpenLinesofCommunicationFacilitatecommunicationandcollaboration betweensocialministryandthepastor,pastoralcouncil,otherchurchministries andtheparishioners.

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DealwithCrisisSituationsWhilemostsituationscanbeanticipatedanddealt withduringnormaloperations,somesituationswillrequirespecialattentionof leadership,e.g.respondingtoadisasterinthecommunity.

Ifaparishhasastaffpersonwhooverseestheparishsocialministry,thatpersonwillbe aleader,andtheywillwanttohaveacommitteewhohelpstosupporttheirleadership role.Thevastmajorityofparishesorganizeparishsocialministrythroughvolunteer leadershiponly.Aparishwillneed512leaders. Coordinator Whentheparishdecidestoengageindifferentprogramsandprojectsasapartofparish socialministry,volunteerswillbeneededtocoordinatetheseactivities.Theseprograms maybeyearround,likecoordinationofthefoodpantry,seasonal,likeOperationalRice BowlduringLentorRespectLifeMonthinOctober,oronetime,suchasaparish conference. Coordinatorstakeresponsibilityforaprogramorproject: ManagetheProjectorProgramProvidethedirectionandoversightofthe project,includingplanning,executionandevaluation. EngageandSuperviseParticipantVolunteersEngageparticipantvolunteers whowillbeneededtoberecruitedandtrained.Insomecases,theywillneedto bescheduledandsupervised.Coordinatorswillhavetoidentifyrolesforthe participants. KeepMinistryGroundedinFaithSeekandprovideopportunitiesforspiritual developmentandtheformationofconscience,tostrengthenthefaithbased connectiontowhatyoudoandhowyoudoit.

Parisheswillneed12coordinatorsforeachprogramorprojectintheirministry. Participant Parisheswillalsoneedpeoplewhoarewillingandabletoparticipateintheprograms andprojects.Thesearethepeoplewhotakeshiftsatthefoodpantryorwhoparticipate inaHillDay.Thesepeopleareessentialtotheministryastheyamplifyapropheticvoice andmakeitpossibleformoreworktobedone. Inadditiontoamplifyingtheimpactofaneffort,participationinsocialministrycanbe animportantelementinabelieversspiritualdevelopment.Aconferenceoncurrent socialjusticeissuesinlightofCatholicteachingcanhelpaparishionertoformtheir conscience.Participatingindirectserviceministriescanprovidetheopportunityfor buildingrelationshipswithpeoplefromdifferentbackgroundstrengtheningapersons

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empathyandprovidinganopportunityforlivingoutGospelvalues,suchasseeingChrist intheleastofHispeople. EngagingParishioners Asaleaderorcoordinator,youwillneedtoinvitepeopleintoparticipationintheir ministry.Inadditiontoknowingwhattypeofavolunteerthatyouarelookingfor leader,coordinator,andparticipant,andlookoutforthecapacityandavailabilityofa potentialvolunteertofillthatrole,itisalsohelpfultounderstandwhatmotivates peopletovolunteerandwhytheystopvolunteering. ReasonsWhyPeopleVolunteer Theministryismeaningfultothem. Theministrymakesadifferenceandtheywanttocontributetothat. Therolethattheyarebeingaskedtofillissomethingthattheyhavethecapacity tosuccessatbyvirtueoftheirskillsandthenecessaryresources. Theycanmanagetheresponsibilitiesofthisrolewithothercommitments. Therolewillprovidethemwiththeopportunityforselfimprovement,e.g.they canshoworpracticenewordifferentskillsorimprovetheircareer. Engagingintheministryallowsthemtopursueaninterest. Theythinktheministrywillbefunorinteresting. Someoneaskedtheminawaythattheycouldntsaynoto.

ReasonsWhyPeopleStopVolunteering Poorvolunteermanagement. Conflictswithmorepressingdemands. Charitywasnotwellmanaged. Charitydidnotusevolunteerstimewell. Volunteerstaskswerenotclearlydefined. Volunteerswerenotthanked.

Source:UnitedParcelServiceFoundation,1998p.14 Beforeyoubegintherecruitmentprocess,youwillwanttoknowforwhatpurposeyou areinvitingpeople.Whatdoyouwantpeopletodoandhowaretheygoingtodoitfor you?Thiswillalsohelpyoutoidentifythecharacteristicsorskillsofthepeoplethatyou need.Thesearesomehelpfultipsbeforebeginningtherecruitmentprocess. BeforeRecruitment 1. OutlinePurpose 2. DesignProgram ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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3. CreateInfrastructuretoSupportVolunteers 4. PrepareJobDescriptionsforVolunteerPositions 5. Strategizewhoareyourecruitingfor(leaders,coordinators,orparticipants)? Source:Brudney,J.DesigningandManagingVolunteerPrograms RetainVolunteers OrientandTrainmakesurethattheyhavetheskillsandinformationthatthey needtobeabletosucceed. KeepMotivatedprovidethemwiththethanksandencouragementthatcango alongwaytokeepingapersonmotivated. Superviseprovidevolunteerswiththeaccountability,connectionsand resourcesthatcanfacilitatetheirrole. Evaluategivefeedbackandstretchthem. Beflexibleandcreativethinkoutsideoftheboxtohelppeoplewhoarebusy stayengaged,e.g.involvefamilies,shorttermassignments. KnowThemspendtimewithyourvolunteerssothatyouknowwhattheyare capableof,whattheyarepassionateabout,soastobetterconnecttheirskills withtheministry. Formationencouragetheirspiritualdevelopment.Praytogether.Connect socialministrytothesacramentalandpropheticlifeoftheChurchsothatwecan transformheartsandourworld.

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Exercise:OnetoOne Anactiveexchangebetweenaparishleaderandaparishioner,inorderfortheleader to: Becomebetterinformedontheresources,passionsandneedsoftheparish Determinetheleadershippotentialoftheparishionerandstrengthenthe relationshipbetweenthetwoindividuals

Howitworks,theleader: IntroduceYourself,GivingYourCredentials GiveReasonsforMeeting ConversebyUsingOpenEndedQuestions,suchas: o Whatisyourexperiencewiththeparish? o Wheredoyouthinkourparishbestexemplifiesdiscipleship? o Whatareyourhopesforourparish? EvaluateMeeting

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PartIII:KeepMinistryGroundedinFaith Socialministrydrawspeoplewheretheywouldrathernotgo.Ittakesthefaithfulinto placesofbrokennessandcontroversy.Theyarecalledtostandwithpeopleand communitieswhoarehurting,ostracized,ontheoutskirtsofoursociety.Theyarecalled tonamethesystemsthatadvantagesomeattheexpenseofothers.Butnotonlydoesit callthefaithfultogototheseplaces,itasksthemtoactinamannerconsistentwiththe moralandethicalprinciplesoftheirfaithandtobetherewithlove,tobethefaceof Christtothoseinneed. Inthispart,wewillfocusonhowtokeeptheministrygroundedinourfaithtraditionby seekingandprovidingopportunitiesforspiritualdevelopmentandtheformationof conscienceinordertostrengthentheconnectionofwhoyouaretowhatyoudoand howyoudoit. FacilitatingtheFormationofConsciences Whatdoyoudotohelpyoumakeatoughdecision?Manyofusunintentionallygo throughaprocessofinformationgathering,discernment,planningandtakingaction. Next,wewilluseanintentionalprocessofdecisionmakingtooutlineastrategyfora parishtouseallelementsofparishlifetoproactivelysupporttheprocessofconversion. ThePastoralCircleAQuestforTruthandTransformation FransWijsen,PeterHenriot,andRodrigoMejiaoutlinedastrategyforlearningthetruth andforconversionthathasbeenusedinsmallfaithsharinggroupsinparishesacross theworld.Theprocesshelpsgroupstomaketoughdecisionsandtakeactionbasedon thebestinformation,guidancefromourCatholicteachingandprayer,insightsfromthe smallfaithcommunityandexperience. Theprocess,calledthePastoralCircle,asksfourquestions: Whatishappeninghere? Whyisithappening? HowdoIevaluateit? HowdoIrespond?

Whattheyfound,iswhenusedintentionallybysmallfaithcommunities,thePastoral Circlehasprofoundtruthseekingandtransformativecapacity.

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 Step1:ContactWhatishappeninghere? Inthemidstofthesituation,theindividualorgroupsoaksupthedetails,e.g.whatis happening,howpeopleareinteracting,andwhatthesituationlookslike,etc. Step2:AnalysisWhyisithappening? Theindividualorgrouplooksbeyondtheobviousanswerstouncoveramoreaccurate pictureofreality.Theymayaskquestionslike:Whyisthesituationimpactingpeoplein thisway?Arethereculturalnormsorlawsthatleadtothissituation? Step3:Reflection:HowdoIevaluateit? Theindividualorgroupdrawsonthewisdomofthereligiouswritingsandtradition, ethicalteaching,andexperienceforastandardtoevaluatethesituation. Step4:Response:HowdoIrespond? Theindividualorgroupdetermineshowtorespondinthemostappropriateway. Step5:ANewCircle Meanwhile,theindividualorgroupcontinuestobeinnewcontactpoints,buteach time,theyareinanewposition,becauseoftheprocessofgrowthandconversion.With practice,theindividualorgrouphasaheightenedsenseofawareness,amoreaccurate analysis,anincreasinglyhonestreflectionandmoreconfidenceintheplanningand actionsteps.
Reflection: Discerning Meaning & Seeking Guidance Analysis: Determining Causes & Underlying Factors Response: Planning, Acting & Evaluating Contact: Awareness of What is Going on

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ThePastoralCircleisaboutmorethanmakingonebetterdecision;itisaboutlivinga betterlife. CatholicSocialTeaching JesusprovideduswiththeultimateexampleofChristianliving.Hislifeandteaching provideuswiththemodelbywhichtoguideourlives.Overthemillennium,theCatholic ChurchsoughttoapplytheexampleandteachingofJesustocurrentsituations.Inthe last120years,whichsawthemostfundamentalchangesinsociety,theCatholicChurch createdabodyofwrittendocumentstohelpbelieverstointerprettheGospelinthese timesinlightofthesesocialconcerns.Thebodyofteaching,writtenbypopesand bishops,iscalledCatholicsocialteaching.TheUnitedStatesbishopshavecondensed thebodyofCatholicsocialteachingintothefollowingseventhemes,whichcanprovide ahelpfulsetofprinciplesbywhichtoevaluatesociety. LifeandDignityoftheHumanPerson TheCatholicChurchproclaimsthathumanlifeissacredandthatthedignityofthe humanpersonisthefoundationofamoralvisionforsociety.Thisbeliefisthe foundationofalltheprinciplesofoursocialteaching.Webelievethateverypersonis precious,thatpeoplearemoreimportantthanthings,andthatthemeasureofevery institutioniswhetheritthreatensorenhancesthelifeanddignityofthehumanperson. CalltoFamily,Community,andParticipation Thepersonisnotonlysacredbutalsosocial.Howweorganizeoursocietyineconomics andpolitics,inlawandpolicydirectlyaffectshumandignityandthecapacityof individualstogrowincommunity.Marriageandthefamilyarethecentralsocial institutionsthatmustbesupportedandstrengthened,notundermined.Webelieve peoplehavearightandadutytoparticipateinsociety,seekingtogetherthecommon goodandwellbeingofall,especiallypoorandvulnerablepeople. RightsandResponsibilities TheCatholictraditionteachesthathumandignitycanbeprotectedandahealthy communitycanbeachievedonlyifhumanrightsareprotectedandresponsibilitiesare met.Therefore,everypersonhasafundamentalrighttolifeandarighttothosethings requiredforhumandecency.Correspondingtotheserightsaredutiesand responsibilitiestooneanother,toourfamilies,andtothelargersociety. OptionforthePoorandVulnerable

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Abasicmoraltestishowourmostvulnerablemembersarefaring.Inasocietymarred bydeepeningdivisionsbetweenrichandpoor,ourtraditioninstructsustoputthe needsofpoorandvulnerablepeoplefirst. TheDignityofWorkandtheRightsofWorkers Theeconomymustservepeople,nottheotherwayaround.Workismorethanawayto makealiving;itisaformofcontinuingparticipationinGodscreation.Ifthedignityof workistobeprotected,thenthebasicrightsofworkersmustberespectedtheright toproductivework,todecentandfairwages,totheorganizationandjoiningofunions, toprivateproperty,andtoeconomicinitiative. Solidarity Weareonehumanfamilywhateverournational,racial,ethnic,economicand ideologicaldifferences.Weareourbrothersandsisterskeepers,wherevertheymay be.Lovingourneighborhasglobaldimensionsinashrinkingworld.Atthecoreofthe virtueofsolidarityisthepursuitofjusticeandpeace.PopePaulVItaughtthatifyou wantpeace,workforjustice.TheGospelcallsustobepeacemakers.Ourloveforall oursistersandbrothersdemandsthatwepromotepeaceinaworldsurroundedby violenceandconflict. CareforGodsCreation WeshowourrespectfortheCreatorbyourstewardshipofcreation.Carefortheearth isarequirementoftheCatholicfaith.Wearecalledtoprotectpeopleandtheplanet, livingourfaithinrelationshipwithallofGodscreation.Thisenvironmentalchallenge hasfundamentalmoralandethicaldimensionsthatcannotbeignored.

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ExercisePastoralCircle Whatareyourreactionstogoingthroughthepastoralcircle? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ IncorporatingProcessestoFormConscienceintoSocialMinistry 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Smallfaithsharinggroups Pastoralcouncils Socialjusticecommittee Intentionaldisplacementopportunities Incidentsattheparish

Notes: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

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SpiritualDevelopment Whatweareaskingofoursocialministersistolovetheaddictwhobelligerentlyis seekingservicesinourcenters.Weaskthemtolovethosewhoarejustasstrongly convincedofdifferentsolutions,politicalparties,orpolicypositions.Weaskthemto showcompassiontopeoplewhohavebeeninstigatorsofegregiousacts.Weaskthem tolovethepeoplewhomtheystruggletoliveandworkwith.Doingthisistocarryout socialministryasanactoflove. Theintentionalpreparationtoactoutofloveistheartofprayerandspirituality. Growinginourabilitytoloveandtoactoutofthatloveisanartthatgetsbetterwith practice.Thepracticeofspiritualityisasimportanttoparishsocialministryasthe practiceofrelief,individualdevelopment,communityorganizing,advocacyand partnership. Werememberthatthisisministry.Doingsobeginsbycomingtounderstandhowmuch Godlovesus,sayingyestothatlove,andbeingaconduitofthatlovetotheworld. EssentialsofChristianSpirituality TakenfromTheHolyLonging:TheSearchforChristianSpiritualitybyRonaldRolheiser 1. 2. 3. 4. PrivatePrayerandPrivateMorality SocialJustice MellownessofHeartandSpirit Community

Exercise:Spirituality Assessyourspirituality.Whatareyougoodat?Isthereroomforimprovementinany areas? ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ParishSocialMinistryLeadersTrack

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