Weekly THIS AND THAT for January 28. 2007: Part 2 of Bishop Rozanski's Report on Our Lady of Grace

This and That:
Part 2 of Bishop Rozanski’s Report on Our Lady of Grace

The following is the second of five bulletin notes on the November 8, 2006, visit of Bishop Mitch Rozanski and his staff to our parish. The complete report is being shared in this column over five weeks. This second part deals with his commendations and recommendations regarding The Parish Community, The Pastor, and the Staff. All are invited to share their thoughts with members of the Pastoral Team or any members of the Pastoral Council. (They are the folks with the red ribbons around their necks each weekend at Sunday Mass.) Council members have an opportunity at the conclusion of each monthly meeting to share with the entire council comments, kudos, or concerns made be individual parishioners.

Fondly,
Father Nick Amato


THE PARISH COMMUNITY

Parishioners of Our Lady of Grace are commended for the following:

➢ Cultivating a welcoming, hospitable atmosphere that is inviting to visitors and new parishioners.
➢ Being intentional about inviting others into the ministries of the parish.
➢ Participating in “Why Catholic” program to the extent that a group meets everyday, either at the parish or in homes.
➢ Participating in the Lenten Family Fridays.
➢ Establishing Greeter families, who identify and welcome visitors.
➢ Supporting a sister parish—St. Cecilia
➢ Involvement in over 60 ministries, which are sustained by parishioners.
➢ The tremendous outreach sponsored by the parish, including Sarah’s House, St. Veronica Headstart, the Urgent Need Bulletin, St. Cecilia’s, and Our Daily Bread.
➢ The energy and vibrancy among parishioners that is evident to all who come to Our Lady of Grace.
➢ The obvious pride that parishioners take in their parish, its ministries and the Pastor and Staff.

Parishioners are asked to address the following recommendations:

1. Renewed efforts toward evangelization through participation in parish evangelization initiatives.
2. Commitment to Mass attendance and participation in the life of the parish.


THE PASTOR

The Pastor is commended for the following:

➢ His attention to providing celebrational and prayerful liturgies that inspire and deepen the faith life of parishioners.
➢ His meaningful, relational and well-prepared homilies.
➢ His “empowering” leadership style.
➢ His efforts to keep all informed through good communication networks, including a monthly newsletter.
➢ His strategic planning initiatives to end the parish debt by the year 2011.
➢ His initiation of shared reflections at the daily Eucharist.
➢ His involvement in interparish planning to address future needs.
➢ His initiation of the “Welcome Orientation” to new parishioners.
➢ His utilization of the gifts of parishioners by seeking out and inviting into ministry those who have the needed gifts and experience for specific ministries.
➢ His commitment to Catholic Education.

The Pastor is asked to address the following recommendations:
1. Finding creative ways to make the parish more visible to people in the area.


THE STAFF

The Staff is commended for the following:

➢ Commitment to Staff Meeting twice a month where future planning and visioning together take place.
➢ Participation in Staff Development, i.e. planning, in-service.
➢ Commitment to STAND training through the school under Sister Helen’s direction, with 90% of families completing training.
➢ Sense of community among staff who seem to work together well and respect the expertise and experience of each member of the staff.
➢ Level of dedication that staff members bring to their respective ministries characterized by doing more than is asked or required.
➢ The Staff for initiating the Welcome Orientation for visitors and new parishioners.
➢ The Staff for their responsiveness to grieving families through a variety of personal services including home cooked meals.
➢ The pastoral presence and dedicated service that Sister Mary Therese brings to the parish community and staff through her role as Assistant Pastor.
➢ The well-developed faith formation program administered by Judy Hvisc, the Director of Religious Education and Catechists.
➢ The extensive Youth Ministry programs and events developed and fostered by Deborah Webber, the Coordinator of Youth Ministry.
➢ The growth of Liturgical music through the efforts of Beth Pugliese, the Music Director.
➢ The efficiency and expertise of Elaine Hagner, the Administrator, for her excellence balancing all the entities that keep a parish running smoothly.
➢ The dedication and expertise of Debbie Kommiak, the Office Manager and Elizabeth Scholz, the Accounting Assistant that they bring to their support role in the administration of the parish.
➢ The vision, expertise and tireless service of Sister Helen Wiegmann which originated Our Lady of Grace School and her continued fostering of excellence in education.

The Staff is asked to address the following recommendations:

1. Plan and participate in a spiritual retreat or some type of spiritual enrichment for the staff at least annually.
2. Find ways to work with the Pastoral Council to develop efforts to reach those who are marginalize from the Church.
3. Discuss workloads with one another and explore ways to support and assistant in relieving the “crunch times” as a means to reduce stress. Explore ways to ensure balance.
4. Explore creative ways to deal with the current reality of many parishioners who have long workdays and long commutes, thus unable to attend evening meetings.