Parish
Reflection Day
May 4, 2002
Parish
Reflection Day
May 4, 2002
On Saturday May 4, 2002 our parish community held its first St. Isidore Parish Reflection Day. All who attended were able to examine the three goals, which are a critical part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) National Plan for Evangelization in the U.S. Also, your fellow parishioners evaluated and made recommendations on ways that our parish community can achieve these goals here at St. Isidore and in the surrounding community of Yuba City. Along with hundreds of others at parishes across our nation, we participated as instruments of Christ, i.e., Disciples in Mission, for the greater good of our local community, our diocese and our alliance with other dioceses.
The following pictures are from our Parish Reflection Day
The above pictures note the animated participation in reviewing the 3 goals as provided by the USCCB and developing recommendations for our St. Isidore's Pastoral Council. These 3 goals,with their recommended objectives and tasks, which will be achieved over the next months and years, are our Church's way of bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. We all understand how much our nation and our world need to accept and internalize the power of the Gospel with the help of the Holy Spirit this will be achieved.
Below are the three goals followed by recommended objectives, with activities to implement these goals. These recommendations are being presented to our Pastoral Council and our Diocese, and they will be incorporated with the Disciples in Mission evaluations that were conducted in small groups in April, as well as with the diocesan-wide parish survey that was conducted last February.
Goal I: To bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others. Recommended Objectives with Activities: Foster an experience of conversion and renewal in each individual and every parish
o Dynamic speakers from outside
o Contemplative experience
o Increase participation in parish ministrieso More adult formation classes
o Library of faith resources, books, tapes, Catholic radio, EWTN
o Drop in bible study
o Adult catechism studyo Greater availability of reconciliation schedule
o Different scheduling for daily Mass - coordination between St. Isidore's and St. Joseph'so Perpetual adoration
o More adult formation classes
o Library of faith resources, books, tapes, Catholic radio, EWTNGoal II: To invite all people in the United States, whatever their social or cultural background, to hear the message of salvation of Jesus Christ so they may come to join us in the fullness of the Catholic Faith. Recommended Objectives with Activities: o A continuation of the Disciples in Mission program in parish with emphasis on involving more people in the small groups (encourage the continuation of the small group meetings; development of a bible study program convenient for adults; public information about groups; more offerings of speakers and workshops)
o Children/Youth ministries for the liturgies (direct involvement of the children in each Sunday Mass; possible a portion of each Sunday homily directed to the children; because ours is a simple faith and adults would benefit from some very simple messages; encourage children to talk about their faith; encourage the youth-teenagers to become lectors and ushers for great participation in the liturgy)o Reinstitution of the Hospitality Committee (suggestions: having greeters at every Mass; a welcoming group for new parishioners to call them after they have registered in order to provide them with a resource for getting questions answered, and invite them to participate in the parish ministries)
o Making known our parish ministries (bulletin board in back of the church with pictures of the leaders of each ministry; a flyer at church with a list of the ministries and the key contact people for each ministry; more emphasis on the parish's website as a resource for parishioners; needs reinforcement from our priests from the altar)
o RCIA; Questions/Answers in less structured setting; more clergy attendance in activities
Recommended Objectives with Activities: o Form a Social Justice Committee
o Encourage our parish priests to challenge us to be aware of social justice issues
o Institute a public information office or officer (PIO) to provide flow of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to local media
