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2007/02008
Parish Council Strategic Planning
Strategic Planning played an important role in the focus of Parish Council for fiscal year 2007-2008. In September, a strategic planning session brainstormed the potential issues, goals, and strategies that would lead us to identify a singular goal to accomplish by June. Led by Sarah Clapper, President and Founder of Clio Associates, a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) provided us the opportunity to take a long-term, strategic view that Council believed was in the best interest of St. Louis Church, its parishioners, and the Diocese of Rochester.
The Goal
Parish Council agreed that our goal should be to, “begin the process of creating a Pastoral Leadership Transition Plan”.
The Rationale
St Louis Church is facing the reality of a number of leaders who will be either retiring or transitioning to new responsibilities within the Diocese over the coming three to five years. Father Kevin, Deacon John Payne, and Sue Payne are among those who will be moving on. This is not an expectation unique to St. Louis. As example, the long-term decline of individuals entering the priesthood has created a pastoral leadership crisis throughout the country. Our diocese is not exempt from this trend. Therefore, Parish Council assumed responsibility to begin to prepare for a future that would require a paradigm shift for how our parish will manage its operations.
The Process
At the core of the process was the creation of three Parish Council Subcommittees that will lay the foundation for the objectives, strategies, and tasks necessary to design a 2009 fiscal year plan including: Communications; Due Diligence; and Search. In 2008-’09, the Council will continue to explore the potential of this plan.
Parish Council Outcomes
1- Strategic Planning
In addition to the strategic planning workshop in September, Parish Council accomplished its goal of beginning the process of creating a Pastoral Leadership Transition Plan. We began to implement our communications plan, and we received two presentations that provided both Diocese perspectives and defined an alternative Parish Leadership model being implemented at St. Mary’s Church.
2- Parish Council Business: Infrastructure
Parish Council approved (investments including) installation of a screen and projector system designed to enhance the value of church experiences such as Baptisms and the showing of videos.
3- Father Kevin Sharing
Father Kevin kept Parish Council updated monthly on activities across the Diocese and within St. Louis Church. Among many he discussed throughout the year included those related to the school closings, Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA), Lenten prayer services, collaboration with St. Bridget’s Church and St. Michael’s, and surrounding property of the Rand Place location.
4- Christmas Eve Liturgy Passes
Parish Council debated the benefits and challenges of a proposal to offer passes for those attending Christmas Eve Masses of 3:00, 4:00, and 6:00 p.m. The intention was to maximize the liturgical experiences of parishioners. Although the proposal was tabled until 2009, the discussions were extremely constructive and thoughtful.
5- Finances
Parish Council received thorough updates and presentations from Ed Kay, Finance Committee Chair, as well as from those responsible for church operations. The 2009 budget was approved in June.
6- Committee Reports
Parish Council received and was actively engaged in scheduled Committee reports throughout the year. These included Pastoral Care, Faith Formation, Facilities, Saints
Place, Liturgy, Stewardship, Finance, Hospitality, Tithing, Youth, Social Justice, and St. Louis School committees.
7. Selected Representatives
We welcomed new members of the Council including Geraldine Gebbie, David Mountan, and Jeff Stid. Those whom we thank for their service as they each step down are Jeff Calabrese, Nancee Bender McCaffrey, and Ned Sayegh.