Objectives

1. By Fall 2007, create an Adult Faith Formation Advisory Team to begin development of a parish pastoral plan for adult catechesis.
   
   
An Adult Faith Formation Advisory Team (AFFAT) began formation in September 2007, under the direction of Bette Scaringe, Director of Religious Education, and initial teachings on catechesis were led by Fr. Craig Smith.  In April 2008, the AFFAT began the process of identifying its vision and discerning goals and objectives, with Dee Lopez as its facilitator.


2. By Spring 2008, schedule “Catholicism for Ordinary Catholics” sessions on Marriage, Families, and Intimacy.
   
   Due to Apologetics classes extensively offering classes on Marriage and Family life for 2008-2009, it was decided to not pursue a separate class.

Objectives

1. By January 2008, form a standing Parish Mission Planning Team to plan regular parish missions to occur on at least an annual basis.
   
   A parish mission featuring Fr. Robert Young was held July 20-22, 2008. The theme of the mission was "Praying with Passion:  A Prayer Driven Life." The team is in the process of planning the summer mission for 2009 (July 19-21).
   
   
2. By April 2008, host monthly renewal nights that will incorporate music, prayer and witnesses to share and teach about developing a personal faith relationship.
   
   This objective has been implemented through Parish Movie Nights and Family Rosary. The Passion movie was shown in the Community Center during Lent, 2008. The Family Rosary began in May and is being held on the first Saturday of the month following the 9:00 AM Mass. The Passion was also shown March, 2009. Scheduling additional movies is under review.
   
   
3. By January 2008, identify facilities and opportunities for parishioners to attend retreats at facilities away from the Parish, and to publicize these opportunities to the Parish community.
   
   

   Facilities and opportunities for parishioners to attend retreats away from the parish have been identified, but have not yet been publicized to the parish via the church web page, bulletin, and a brochure on the ministry cart.

Objectives

1. By February 2008, identify parishioners who are homebound and elderly.
   
   

   Identifying parishioners who are homebound and elderly has begun with sign-ups after Mass on April 19-20 and requests for referrals from our Bereavement Ministry, Communion for the Homebound Ministry, the Young at Heart group, and Deacon Ed Melvin’s hospital visitation ministry.  A parish listing of all parishioners over the age of 70 is also being utilized to help identify those that might want these services. This ministry is also advertised on the church web page with contact numbers for those that would like to either request its services or be a volunteer.

2. By March 2008, identify services and opportunities that are provided by non-profit community organizations for the homebound and elderly.
   
   In progress.
   
   
3. By June 2008, implement a ministry that reaches out to the elderly and homebound through visitation and telephone calls.
   
   Brenda Popp has agreed to be the Ministry Coordinator.  All volunteers received training and information on working with the elderly in May from Jim Croteau and completed the diocesan volunteer requirements. The further identifying of each referred person’s needs is underway and then they will be matched with a volunteer for home visits or phone calls.

Objectives

1. Beginning Fall 2006, have a teaching from the pulpit on one of the seven sacraments – at least once a month (weekend Masses) with particular emphasis on the Eucharist.

Homilists focused on Eucharist on several occasions at all Masses

2. By Fall 2006, schedule “Catholicism for Ordinary People" -- 3 topics, 3 classes per topic, 3 different teachers

A series of short teachings on the Eucharist was presented last Fall by Deacon Marcus; last Spring Fr. Craig presented several teachings on Reconciliation.  This objective will continue during 2007-08 focusing on Marriage.

3. Have a leadership team review and implement liturgical practices and norms in order to inspire more reverent behavior in Mass beginning Pentecost, 2006.

Suggestions were passed on to the Worship Leadership Community for discussion and possible implementation.

Objectives

1. Increase participation in Small Christian Community programs by 20% within 2 years.

This goal was transferred to the Small Christian Community Core Community for continued discussion and implementation.

2. Build a “meditation walk” by 9/2007.

The Stations of the Cross “meditation walk” was completed in the North parking lot in March 2007 and was dedicated on June 9, 2007.

3. Invite parishioner and future outside witness speakers to share their personal testimony with parishioners in a public forum on one evening at least once a year to begin by Fall, 2006.

A parish mission, held this past August, provided teaching (by Fr. Smith) and personal testimonies from several parishioners (Julie Bettinger, Bob Schuchts, Dennis Scarry) regarding how Grace was/is experienced in their lives.

4. Encounter Christ Incarnate on a Saturday (Fall, 2006) through experiences of Mass and prayer service combined with outreach to elderly, disabled, migrants or others in need.

An Advent “Fiesta” December, 2006 provided an immersion experience for parishioners to meet Christ incarnate in the migrant workers in Quincy.

Objectives

1. Facilitate a personal invitation to participation in ministry by forming small communities by Fall, 2007.

This goal was transferred to the Small Christian Community Core Community for continued discussion and implementation.

2. Raise awareness and promote involvement in ministries among Mass goers through coordinated use of brochure racks, web site and bulletin inserts by Fall, 2006

A welcome wagon was completed last Fall and many ministries have prepared brochures outlining their mission.

3. Increase awareness of activities and ministries through regular social events that will highlight a selected ministry and facilitate recruiting beginning Fall, 2006.

All ministries were contacted and encouraged to participate in the annual Ministry Fair which was held last October, 2006.

Good Shepherd Parishioners will be made aware of their personal calling from Christ to reach out to Catholics who are not attending Mass or participating in the life of the parish.

Accomplishments
• Team struggled to develop strategies
• Examined programs to bring back inactive Catholics
• Set up fellowship for RE parents on Wednesday evening, but no one attended
• Difficult to determine how to implement because it was so broad

Good Shepherd will strive to become a more welcoming parish to all parishioners especially by reach out visitors, newcomers, and those who do not have a sense of belonging.

Accomplishments

• Monthly Newcomers Sundays coordinated by Pastoral Council
• Changes in facilities to make more welcoming
  • handicapped access and railings
• Formation of Welcome Team to direct welcoming activities
  • Welcome Dinners begun in August, 2005 replacing Newcomer Sunday
  • Newcomer packet developed - Pastoral Associates meeting with all new parishioners
  • Magnet designed and distributed
  • Phone calls and letters to all new parishioners/visitors
  • Greetings to each other before Mass
  • Sunday Welcoming Ministry beginning on April 4, 2006

Accomplishments
• Web Team formed to redesign web to include more information and meet ministry publicity needs - new web site live, August 2005
• Pastoral Council members with IT experience worked with office staff to upgrade technology
• e-mail established for all office staff
• E-mail list set up for interested parishioners by Julie Bettinger
• Plans made to develop a manual with policies and procedures on publicity, e.g. bulletin announcements, pulpit announcements, flyers, etc.
• Investigated getting an electronic sign for reaching out to inactive Catholics as well as helping with ministry communication

Accomplishments
• Developed a Resource List that is given to all new parishioners and available at the parish office
• Supported development of Newly Married Ministry

Programs and services will be developed for young adults (18+) based on their lifestyle needs

Accomplishments
• Invited college age members to join Pastoral Council
• Supported development of College & Beyond program

Accomplishments
• Formed Stewardship Core Community
• Core Community developed numerous stewardship educational opportunities as well as awareness activities, such as the annual Stewardship ministry Fair, Stewardship Prayers of the Faithful, Stewardship flyers, lay witness talks and brochures
• Stewardship Appreciation Dinner begun in 2003
• Work has now been delegated entirely to Stewardship Core Community