Weekly THIS AND THAT for February 11, 2007: Part 4 of Bishop Rozanski's Report on Our Lady of Grace

This and That:
Part 4 of Bishop Rozanski’s Report on Our Lady of Grace

The following is the fourth 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 fourth part deals with his commendations and recommendations regarding our Stewardship of Finances and Faith Formation. 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.

It should be noted that Ms. Judy Hvisc tendered her resignation at Director of Religious Education in early January and that we now have a new Administrator of Religious Education, Ms. Chris Pignataro. She will be tending to the Recommendations made by Bishop Rozanski and his staff in the report below.

Fondly,
Father Nick Amato


STEWARDSHIP OF FINANCES

➢ The Finance Personnel and the Parish Administrator are commended for the following:

➢ The collaborative approach to the development of the parish budget.

➢ The expertise of Elizabeth Scholz in forecasting to assure that the budgeting process is realistic.

➢ The monthly monitoring income and expenses as it is reflected in the overall budget.

➢ The attachment of the budget to the strategic planning process

➢ The commitment to 10% tithing.

➢ The ongoing focus on seeking new and creative ways to grow the revenue.

➢ The dedication and sense of the responsibility evidenced by the Finance Committee’s efforts to “think of everything.”

➢ The current success of the Capital Campaign.

➢ The focus on electronic giving, which generates about $2500 of the weekly offertory.

➢ The acceptance of the Mustard See Match and commitment to raise the matching funds.

➢ The fostering of the Legacy League in the parish.

➢ The practice of presenting the budget reports quarterly to the Pastoral Council.

➢ The Annual “State of the Parish” presented to the parish community annually by the Finance Council Chairperson from the pulpit.

Acknowledgement:

1. It is noted that the Pastor has wisely selected parishioners who have expertise in areas of financial management to serve in various capacities in the parish to foster good stewardship and to utilize the gifts of people for service to the community.


FAITH FORMATION

➢ Those involved in Faith Formation are commended for the following:

➢ Judy Hvisc, the new Director of Religious Education, for her attempts to get to know the parishioners and the catechetical needs of Our Lady of Grace.

➢ The commitment of the school and religious education leadership to trying to bring everyone into compliance with the child protection requirements.

➢ Sr. Mary Therese and her “Why Catholic” committee for the excellent parish participation in the program and for the committee’s commitment to attending the program training opportunities.

➢ The youth minister for her commitment to providing diverse service opportunities for the parish youth.

➢ The development of the Youth Center where the youth of the parish can gather as a group.

➢ The establishment of the weekly “Pizza Time” for middle school to socialize as an outreach effort of Youth Ministry.

➢ The initiation and building of the Theatre Ministry by Mary Miller.
The establishment of the Edge Program.

Those involved in Faith Formation are asked to address the following recommendations:

1. Bringing the parish into compliance with the catechesis for human sexuality portion of the child protection regulations by spring of 2007

2. Possible recruitment and development of teams of adults who can assist with the diversity of youth activities.

3. The encouragement of parents to take more ownership in the parish youth activities.

4. Development of a parish evangelization plan for reaching out to the inactive members of the parish.