August 27-28, 2016

To the parishes of St Mary Navilleton, St John Starlight, and St Mary of the Knobs.

On Saturday, August the 6th, our Cohort team met to review the Archdiocesan Planning Commission's

Preliminary Recommendations that were issued in late June.

All members of each of the three parish Core Teams including Father Pius Poff, Father Sonny Day andFather Mike Hilderbrand ~rticipated in our meeting.

The presence of the Holy Spirit could be felt as everyone focused on how we as three separate parishescan work together to build a stronger Church community that is sustainable in the future whileaccepting the fact of the reduced number of priests available to the parishes of our Archdiocese.

The priest shortage is very real. To prepare and plan for the inevitability of the priest shortage, theArchbishop is calling on our cohort parishes to face the priest shortage head on as is not going away.The Archdiocese has recommended linking St Mary Navilleton and St John Starlight, with each parishremaining a distinct canonical entity but sharing a pastor. The two parishes are not being merged orclosed.

The Archdiocese further recommends the linked parishes, St Mary Navilleton and St John Starlight, alsoreduce the number of Masses in the Linked Model to three (3) between St. Mary Navilleton and St. JohnStarlight. The Linked St. Mary and St John Parishes would then form a partnership with St. Mary of theKnobs. The Partnership Model is a formal relationship between parishes which reflects the substantialsharing of current programs and resources and/or the development of new resources for ministry.

Partnerships commit to the development of programs, the allocation of material and human resourcesand/or the creation of new joint activities of services which further the mission of Christ. It allows forthe conservation of resources by avoiding unnecessary duplication of services and enhance ministry byworking together to do things that <8reneeded but a single parish might not be able to do alone.

The August 6th Cohort team meeting, generated open discussion of the current circumstances,as well as an opportunity to learn of some new information which helped to formulate adecision. The three-parish cohort team unanimously agreed on the following:

1) To accept the Commission's recommendation to link St John Starlight and St Mary Navilletonwith the following understanding:

A) Both parishes will continue to maintain their separate pastoral council and finance council.

B) A strategy will be developed to allow both Parishes to have two weekend masses.

2) All three parishes (SMK, Starlight & Navilleton) agree to work together to identify opportunitiesfor collaboration of ministries and services. Once the areas are selected a plan will be developed andimplemented.

3) All three parishes will also develop an outreach program that will incorporate all three parishesand will allow us to work as one.

4) A donation envelope system will be established that will allow parishioners to attend any ofthechurches services; while still supporting their home parish. This will allow each of the three parishes tomaintain their identity while partnering together to establish a strong vibrant church sustainable intothe future.

As a Cohort, we desire the opportunity to present the facts leading to our conclusion to each of thethree parishes in an open meeting format. The following three "town hall meetings" have beenscheduled: •.

Monday, August 29 SMK 7 pm in Assumption Hall

Tuesday, August 30 Navilleton 7pm in Church

Wednesday, August 31 Starlight 7pm in School Gym

We encourage all of our parishioners to attend one of these meetings to share their questions,comments, and suggestions as we discuss the future of our parishes.

After these meetings, the Cohort team will submit its final response to the Archdiocesan PlanningCommission by September is".

Navilleton Core Team:

Fr. Pius PoffJim KoeppelGayle SchrankStephen AthertonElizabeth Galligan

Starlight Core Team:

Fr. Wilfred DayBette BuechlerMerle KruerRyan KruerJim Book, Jr.

SMK Core Team:

Fr. Mike Hilderbrand.Marilyn FaulkenburgPat ByrneGreg ErnstbergerSuzie Didat

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Section I - Introductory Material

CONNECTED IN THE SPIRITPASTORAL PLANNING FOR THE

ARCHDIOCESE OF ]INDIANAPOLIS

ASSUMPTIONS~OR CONNECTED IN THE SPIRIT

, .

Assumptions inherent in this planning process include:1. The Paschal Mystery is both central to our faith and to this planning

process. Changes in parish structures are potential examples of thelife-death-resurrection mystery.

2. Parishes exist for the mission of the Church, and as a presence of Christ and HisChurch to the local area.

3. A commitment to Eucharist, prayer and spirituality is a necessary component of thediocesan planning process.

4. Stewardship of human, fmancial and facility resources is essential for quality parish,regional and archdiocesan life.

5. One's vision ofthe Church must be larger than one's own local, geographic or ethniccommunity. People must be helped and encouraged to think locally, regionally andarchdiocesan-wide in a forward-looking and positive fashion.

6. Strong leadership by clergy, religious and laity is needed for planning to succeed.7. All parishes will be more effective if they plan for the future, especially when

planning is an on-going process that includes regular evaluation.8. Parishes also will be stronger and more effective, if they work together.9. When planning is done at the local level and there is meaningful involvement by

those who will be affected by the changes, there is more ownership of and lessresistance to planning (sugsidiarity).

10. If and when parish mergers are needed, they will be less traumatic and more natural ifpeople and parishes have already been in relationship with one another. In the future,some parish mergers will be suggested by parish partners who have come to believethat consolidation is the best way to go forward.

11. When parishes merge there is a need for expert advice in the evaluation of buildingsand assistance with the disposition of real estate.

12. Planning resources will be provided in Spanish where needed.

© Archdiocese of Indianapolis & The Reid Group 2015 Page 4 of15

Section I - Introductory Material

CONNECTED IN THE SPIRITPASTORAL PLANNING ]FOR THE

ARCHDIOCESE O]FJINDJIANAPOLJIS

PROJECT GOALS

GOALS FOR CONNE~TEDIN THE SPIRIT

The parish planning project for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is inspired by the followinggoals:

1. To enhance the vibrancy of parish life in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

2. To foster an appreciation for and participation in Sunday Eucharist and the Sacraments.

3. To promote good stewardship so that parishes are financially viable now and into the future.

4. To maximize the availability of quality-Catholic School education throughout theArchdiocese.

5. To ensure that all parishioners have opportunities for quality lifelong Christian Formation,including supporting new initiatives for youth and young adults and promoting vocations to

( ordained and lay ministry.'.

6. To strengthen service to those who are marginalized.

7. To build a greater sense of unity among the many cultures in the Archdiocese.c;_

8. To realign parishes considering the number of priests available to serve, financial resourcesand demographics.

9. To increase collaboration among all entities in the local, national and universal Church.

10. To advocate for peace and justice in the Church and in the world.

(

© Archdiocese of Indianapolis & The Reid Group 2015 Page 2 of IS

CONNECTED IN THE SPIRITTOWN HALL AGENDA

St. Mary of the KnobSt. Mary NavilletonSt. John Starlight

Monday, August 29, 2916 Assumption HallTuesday, August 30, 2016 ChurchWednesday, August 31,2016 School Gym

-..

• Call meeting to order - Facilitator (A member of the Core Team that is hosting)

• Opening prayer by the pastor of the host parish

• Introduction of the members of the Cohort team - by Facilitator

• Review of the Goals and Assumptions of the Connected in the Spirit process.

• Distribute pages 2 and 4 of Section I-Introductory Material

• Consider having other members of the hosting Parish's Core Team read the Goalsand Assumptions.

• Father Mike addresses the current and future availability of priests in ourArchdiocese.

• Facilitator presents the conclusion of the Cohort team and the next steps to theprocess

• Set guidelines for making comments (identification, etc.). Open comments and/orquestions

• Facilitator will direct who will respond to comments/questions

• Facilitator closing comments

• Closing prayer - CISprayer