Parish Pastoral Plan

JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC CHURCH

FIVE-YEAR PASTORAL PLAN

May 2006

SOCIAL OUTREACH

1. To live our baptismal call to serve those in need and to better communicate service opportunities.

1.1 Increase awareness and participation in social justice ministries.

a. Form an outreach committee to include the leaders of the various JGS outreach ministries. (committee to be formed in 2006)

b. Update outreach ministries in the parish information booklet. (update to be done in 2006)

c. Publicize all ministries via annual Ministry Fair.

1.2 Organize the SVDP Society to conform to the national guidelines to better support parish works of charity.

a. Investigate scheduling Ozanam School of Charity training annually.

b. Elect officers for the Society (election to be held in 2006)

c. Form/establish a recruiting plan

d. Publicize the Society via newsletter, weekly bulletin, etc.

e. Create/draft a Disaster Relief Plan

f. Increase active participation

1.3 Annually fund and build at least one house through the Habitat for Humanity.

1.4 Establish the JustFaith ministry at JGS

a. Form a JustFaith coordinating committee (2-3 members)

b. Publicize the ministry (photos, newsletter, bulletin, one on one, etc.)

c. Reach out to other local parish groups to solicit participation

d. Conduct informational talks; pulpit talks, conduct a one day program overview/briefing

e. Conduct one JustFaith program per year.

1.5 Conduct an adult mission trip once a year

a. Nominate/form a standing coordinating committee of 3 members

b. Publicize trip (bulletin, newsletter, pulpit talks, brochure etc.)

c. Conduct an informational talk to determine interest

d. Conduct fund raising activities (e.g. sale of religious articles and a Mexican style dinner)

e. Collect donation items (e.g. food, clothing, hygiene products, Mardi Gras beads, toys, etc. for distribution to those being visited)

1.6 Increase visitation to the sick and homebound

a. Better advertise ministry opportunities to the sick and homebound

b. Better train lay ministers who visit hospitals and the homebound.

1.7 Dedicate at least $20,000 of parish budget to charity

YOUTH MINISTRY

2. To develop and deepen the relationship of the Youth with God, evident by their actions.

2.1 Build leadership of youth in CYO

a. plan and implement summer trip/retreat

2.2 Monthly teambuilding, spiritual growth, fellowship activities

2.3 Increase parent involvement by 100% (from 6 to 12)

2.4 Unify CYO and St. Frederick schedules

a. Build relationship between CYO program and SFHS to establish common goals

2.5 Establish a Middle School Youth Program

CATECHESIS

3. To develop a comprehensive catechetical program which deepens the understanding and experience of our Catholic faith

3.1 To implement Whole Community Catechesis (WCC) on a parish-wide basis

a. Educate core group in WCC: Parish Council, Finance Council, School and Church staff, Education committee, PSR, ACTS, JustFaith

b. Conduct systematic education of the entire parish in WCC

3.2 Develop a Retreat Ministry that would offer retreats to fit various parish needs (e.g. Parish families, week-end in house retreats, ACTS, Missions etc)

3.3 Offer classroom style learning opportunities on Catholic faith and doctrine at various levels and with various time lines

a. Beginning level: why we believe what we believe and do what we do

b. Intermediate level: speaker series, short term classes

c. Advanced level: Greco courses

3.4 Identify and develop facilities appropriate for parish learning and other activities

FELLOWSHIP/COMMUNITY

4. To develop activities that promote a greater sense of parish community and fellowship

4.1 Plan and Schedule parish-wide fellowship opportunities

a. Form and/or support committees to plan on-going events: Young adults (25-45 years old), Casserole committee, Reception committee, Bereavement, Seniors, Widows/widowers, CYO Bingo night

b. Form and/or support committee(s) for annual fellowship events: Parish picnic, Mardi Gras Ball, Cajun night, etc.

c. Form and support 50th anniversary steering committee

4.2 Review and update process for formally identifying and welcoming new parishioners and visitors

a. Identify and contact new parishioners through new parishioner forms, visit or calls to church office

b. Welcome packets and visits to new parishioners

c. Establish an orientation night and dinner as needed

4.3 Establish fellowship events with other Catholic parishes twice a year

a. investigate re-establishing a collaboration committee between Catholic parishes in area

4.4 Build a Family Life Center to meet the needs of JGS parish

a. Begin fund-raising in 2007

LITURGY

5. The pastor and parish leaders of JGS Catholic Church will develop ways to provide meaningful prayer life, liturgical celebrations and sacramental life in order that church

members might fully participate in these celebrations

5.1 Plan and evaluate the liturgical, para-liturgical and sacramental celebrations of the parish through the JGS Liturgy Committee

5.2 Provide training sessions for liturgical ministers

5.3 Provide annual opportunities for celebration of devotions and religious holidays as outlined in the liturgical year of the church