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AREA FAITH COMMUNITY PLANNING PROCESS

A diocesan consultant will be available to work with parishes as they introduce the area faith community model. A process has been developed, tested, and reviewed. The process consists of seven steps.

Step 1: Initial Meeting with Pastoral Leaders  This meeting was completed in late 2005

This meeting provides for an overview of the concept and purpose of the area faith community and the scheduling of subsequent meetings.

Step 2: Joint Meeting of Parish Pastoral Councils This meeting was completed in early 2006

All members of the Parish Pastoral Councils review the area faith community model and process and select four representatives from each parish to serve on the Planning Council to determine goals in the areas of parish life related to Word, Worship, Service, and Stewardship. These representatives are appointed by the Pastor.

Step 3: Open Parish Meeting in each parish. This meeting was completed October 15, 2006

All parishioners are invited to learn more about the area faith community model and to suggest possible goals for their parish Planning Council representatives to bring forward in the ministries of Word, Worship, Service and Stewardship.

Step 4: Planning Council Meeting

The four representatives from each parish meet and draft a two-year plan for the area faith community. One of the goals is the establishment of an Area Pastoral Council.

Step 5: Joint Meeting of Parish Pastoral Councils

All members of the Parish Pastoral Councils refine the plan and discern how the plan will begin to be implemented. The refined plan is submitted to the Committee on Parishes which recommends it to the Bishop for approval and then implementation.

Step 6: Liturgical Celebration of the Area Faith Community Plan

The area Pastoral Leader(s) will choose an appropriate time for a formal presentation of the plan within a liturgical context.

Step 7: The Initial Meeting of the Area Pastoral Council

The area faith community is formally established when the Area Pastoral Council begins to meet and implement the two-year plan for the area faith community.

Additional resources and training will be made available. Further support and assistance will be provided to area faith communities after completing the initial process. Plans will be monitored and reviewed by the Committee on Parishes.

Bringing parishes together in the four essential elements:

Word, Worship, Service, and Stewardship