Plan
for Parishes 2003-2008 on course
two new Area Faith Community plans approved
In November of 2003, the New
Although each parish in an
AFC is unique, each has its own history, its own way of doing things, its own
personality, no matter how large or small. However, at the same time, there are basics
that each parish should be providing in its community ministry. There should be
concrete, descriptive ways of naming the ministries which are essential to
parish life. This description includes a responsibility for diverse
populations. In the Diocese of New Ulm, the fastest growing group is
Spanish-speaking people. The mission of the Church is to provide ministry to
people in an understandable language and in a culturally appropriate way. Some
form of diocesan or regional Hispanic ministry structure will be required.
The description identifies
the four essential elements of the mission of the Church. These four essential
elements are: Word, Worship, Service and Stewardship.
New
Area Faith Communities
Region 1:
Word
- establish an Area Education
Committee
- collaborate on shared
opportunities for youth
- promote joint in-service
and enrichment opportunities for catechists
- establish a joint RCIA team
and process
- promote
Worship
- publicize Mass schedules in
bulletins and newspapers
- form an Area Worship
Committee
- increase youth
participation in liturgies
- share
sacramental celebrations and parish events, including the worship needs of
Hispanic members.
Service
- establish an area social
concerns committee
- identify the social
concerns needs in the area
- improve communication about
social concern ministries and needs in the area
- explore the establishment
of a parish nurse program
- provide ministry to the
sick, aged and grieving.
Stewardship
- establish an Area Faith
Community pastoral council
- explore expenses that can
be shared
- publish an annual Area
Faith Community calendar.
Region 5:
and Church of
Word
- collaborate and share
opportunities for youth ministry including Hispanic youth
- collaborate and share
catechist training and ongoing formation
- establish a process for
evangelization of inactive, distanced members and welcome new members
- explore common adult faith
formation opportunities.
Worship
- establish area training
sessions for all liturgical ministries in English and Spanish
- study the need for
bilingual services in the area
- create and publish an area
Mass schedule
- organize Area Faith
Community celebrations, including bilingual participation.
Service
- establish an Area Faith Community
social concerns committee
- educate all that the Area
Faith Community is multi-cultural and must respond to the total needs in the
community
- reach out to the needs of
the elderly and the imprisoned
- explore volunteer parish
nurse resources and address health issues.
Stewardship
- establish an Area Faith
Community pastoral council
- collaborate to form an Area
Faith Community website and bulletin
- establish an envelope
exchange system and communication lines
- create a building and
resource inventory.
For more information about
the Diocesan Plan for Parishes 2003-2008: Hope for Years to Come, contact Mark
Kemmeter, Coordinator of Staff for the Diocese of New Ulm,
1400