St. Monica: Encountering Christ (Abridged Version)

Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 1Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA

“Spiritual Journeys & Vocations”

Threshold Conversations and the “Nicodemus Effect”


Spiritual Thresholds:Parishes & People

Pre-Trust

Trust Curious

OpenSeeking

DiscipleApostle

+ - 70% of Parish

+-70% of Church-Go-ers

3% - 7%of Church Go-ers ??

Catechesis Only Effective Here

Actively Seeking God

Passive

No Connection,

Semi-Hostile,Hostile

Actively Seeking Others

As outlined in


Spiritual Thresholds

Pre-Trust

Trust Curious

OpenSeeking

DiscipleApostle

+ - 70% of Parish



Catechesis Only Effective HereImplications for

St. Monica Parish?


Spiritual Thresholds

Pre-Trust

Trust Curious

OpenSeeking

DiscipleApostle

+ - 70% of Parish



Catechesis Only Effective Here

“Small Groups” Effective Here

What about “On-Boarding,” “Off-Boarding and

Transitions?


Background and Context

• What does Jesus Christ want the parish of St. Monica to look like in 5 years.

• If we closed tomorrow - beside parishioners -who would miss us?


Background and Context

• June 2016, Fr. Zlock commissions a group of 20+ parishioners to prayerfully discern the future of the parish.

• 14 months of Prayer, Research, Debate, Discussion

• Consensus on recommendations for the parish purpose, priorities, key initiatives for next 3 years.


Our Purpose as a Parish…

…is simply to get more people to heaven, with a special emphasis on people in Berwyn and Devon.

Evaluate how we spend our time, energy, and resources in light of our purpose:

• If it helps more people get to heaven, we’ll do it.

• If we cannot see how it will help more people get to heaven, let other organizations do it.


ENCOUNTER With Jesus is the Way

The life-changing encounter with Jesus is criticalas a person and as a parish

We will help people encounter Jesus in scripture, the liturgy, and in service to others.

The Religious Ed Line

And Threshold Conversations


Encountering Jesus in… Scripture-Based Small Groups

- Current research and parish experience validates power of scripture based small groups to help people encounter Jesus and grow as disciples.

- We will do this for women, men, and youth through:


Encountering Jesus in...Liturgy & Worship

As a Eucharistic community, we will strengthen the 3 H’s and 3 M’s to help people encounter Jesus in our worship.

Hymns / Music

• Continue excellence in musical quality

• Increase diversity of liturgical music styles

Homilies / Message

• Ensure preaching is relevant to everyday life

• Provide timely feedback to presiders

Hospitality / Ministry

• Actively connect newcomers to ministry

• Develop welcome culture in all parishioners

5 Components to an Excellent Homily:A - udibleP - assionateO - rganizedU - nderstandableR – elevant to Life


Encountering Jesus in… Service to Others

We are called to see the face of Christ in others,

and be the face of Christ to others.

So we will help people encounter Jesus in service to others:

In the parish

HOPE, Merry Widows

On CampusAll Abilities,

Helping Hands

Beyond the parish

Kensington Bristol

See Jesus in others. Be Jesus for others.


Encountering Jesus Helping You Get to Heaven

Staff Lead: Jason CarterIN SCRIPTURE-BASED

SMALL GROUPS

• Volunteer Leads:

• WWP – Melissa Gerding, Maureen Kozak

• TMIY – Matt Manion, Tom McGurk

• Youth – Core Team Volunteers

Staff Leads: Fr. Zlock, Frank OrmanIN LITURGY

AND WORSHIP


• New Liturgy Committee: In Place

• Hospitality - Martha McGurk

• Contemporary Music Initiative

Staff Lead: ?IN SERVICE TO OTHERS


• Bridget Cowell, Michelle Manning

• Establish New Service & Outreach Commission


Six Steps Towards Implementation

ACTIVITY LEAD DUE DATE

1. Recruitment for scripture-based small groups MG, MK, MM, TM, JC

9/21/17

2. Confirm leadership for Service & Outreach Commission

Fr. Zlock, Michelle M. & Bridget C.

9/31/17

3. Share vision and priorities with ministry leaders Fr. Z and Discernment Team

11/15/17

4. Share vision and priorities with all parishioners Fr. Z and Discernment Team

12/17/17

5. Recruit members of Liturgy Committee Fr. Z and Frank 1/19/18

6. Share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ with others – in scripture, liturgy, and service

ALL Ongoing


SUMMARY: What The Lord Wants

EVERY DAYENCOUNTER THROUGH SCRIPTURE

• Just Read the Bible

• Formal Study Group

• Scripture-Based Prayer Aids

EVERY WEEKENCOUNTER THROUGH LITURGY AND WORSHIP

• Mass

• Adoration

• Abby Fest

EVERY YEARENCOUNTER THROUGH SERVING OTHERS

• WWP & HNS: Kensington & Bristol

• CCYAC: Helping Hands, Berwyn

• All Abilities, Chester County +


Saint Monica Parish…

• An intergenerational parish community of children, teens, young adults, middle-age, seniors

• A community of growing disciples who share their faith, support one another in small groups, and lead others to Jesus

• A full and active Church at every Sunday Mass

• Catholics who go out and serve others in the name of Christ

• A legacy of faith for generations to come in Berwyn and Devon


Saint Monica ParishEncountering Jesus

Helping You Get to Heaven