Church of Our Lady of Lourdes
Strategic Plan
2011-13
Vision
Our Lady of Lourdes:
Called to be one family as a visible sign of God’s Love
Mission Statement
As a parish we strive to:
• form one family in Christ embracing our various backgrounds and differences;
• unify and strengthen our parish bonds through our faith, supported by the Eucharistic, Spiritual, Educational, Service and Social Ministries;
• evangelize and minister to the needs of God's people under the patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes, reflecting the greater Church's efforts to promote love of God and love of neighbor - through our faith and works.
Throughout this journey, we strive to become stronger families, neighbors and Catholics living our lives according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Several Strategic Thrusts have been selected to help us move to our Vision. These are viewed as measurable and supportive of our Mission as well as demonstrating improvements in perceived gaps of where we are today and where we hope to be.
Parish Organization
Many changes have been instituted over the last several months impacting our Parish Administration and our Ministries. It is important that all members of our Parish fully understand how our Parish works and what opportunities each of our Parishioners have to contribute to our Parish
· A finalized Organization Chart will be published and available on our Website
· Key Ministries and the Pillars they support will be communicated. In due course, Ministry Leaders will be identified along with contact information.
· Further, we will strive to ensure alignment of each of our ministries with our Vision and Mission. This will be accomplished through a review of each ministry, identification of Ministry Leaders and ensuring all our Ministries’ Policies, Protocols and Responsibilities support our Mission
Our Parish is supported by 4 pillars: Word, Worship, Community Building and Service.
Under each Pillar, various Ministries exist to support the pillar and the delivery of our Vision.
Budget
Finances continue to be a challenge. We recognize that as our Parishioners are being asked to support our Church, they should have a clear understanding of how our money is allocated and used.
Actions:
Publish Clear Explanation of Budgets
· Include School and Archdiocese Charges
· Ensure budget overruns are communicated, e.g., Snow Plowing in 2010-11 (Currently done in Bulletin and Website)
· Clearly communicate property improvements with rationales and/or source of funds
o Basketball Courts (Borough Funded)
o Wreaths (Donations)
· Publication of Weekly Collections (Currently done in Bulletin and Website)
• Monitor Debt and Progress vs. Budget (Being done in Bulletin and Website)
Capital Improvement
Our facility is over 50 years old. It is necessary to address structural and plant needs in order to keep functioning as a center piece for our Community and Parish.
Actions:
Publicize Capital Plan work and Infrastructure Needs and Development Plans
· Sexton House disposition
· Identification of Capital Needs
o New Lights for Church
o Solar Panels for Church/School
o Kitchen Facilities
o Compressor Repairs for A/C
Ensure that Parishioners and our Community make Use our Facilities
· Procedures for Facility/Pollard Hall Use and Rental Updated (Completed)
· Kitchen Use Policies Updated
Communication and Engagement of our Parishioners
We are fortunate to have several avenues of communication already up and working, e.g, Weekly Bulletin, Bulletin Boards, E-mail and our Website. However, we can always improve.
Actions:
· Webmaster and Web Committee to be formed to keep active and up to date
o Volunteers for this Ministry will be solicited
· Bulletin Board Policy and Protocols updated
Recognition of efforts by our Parishioners
We are fortunate to have many volunteers, but we can ALWAYS use more. However, we should never forget to thank those who do serve us. We strive to ensure that our volunteers and employees know that they are appreciated. Particularly,
· Altar Servers
· Eucharistic Ministers
· Adorers
· Greeters/Ushers
· Ministry Leaders and Members
Opportunities for Parishioner Growth
We are fortunate to have a variety of programs, ministries and opportunities for our Parishioners to participate and to grow in their Faith and Love of God. We must ensure that we publicize and articulate these opportunities effectively
Some areas in which we will be focusing on are:
· Census – Helps us understand resource requirements
· Creation of Ad Hoc Committees to address short term needs
· Service Ministries
o Update and Training
· Survey of Parish for Needs and Wants:
o Mass Schedules
o Ideas and Opportunities
· Understanding of Changing Demographics of our Parish and our Town
o Impact on Budget, Programs, Schedules, etc.
· Ensure connection of CCD/Youth Group with Parish
• Leverage progress of Welcoming Committee and embed in our Parish
