Cluster Purpose Statement:

 
Our mission is to live and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as disciples called to evangelize, inspire, and make of the Church a welcoming, supportive environment.
 

Values

 
Love (combination of Welcome/hospitality and Family friendly)

• Definition: Act as a symbol of God's love for us by being open and embracing to all people.
• Observable behaviors:
  1. Being welcoming to new and returning parishioners
  2. Perform acts of hospitality with invitations, messages and offers of assistance
  3. Create events which can be enjoyed by entire families

Respect (combination of Golden rule, Collaborative, and Sensitivity to people's needs)

• Definition: Behave in a manner that values all God's creation
• Observable behaviors:
  1. Being sensitive to people's needs
  2. Treating people as you would like to be treated
  3. Listening and appreciating another person's point of view and values

Spirituality (combination of Reverence and Prayer/ministry)

• Definition: Faith in Jesus Christ's Word and his infinite love for us
• Observable behaviors:
  1. Putting Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit at the top of our life's priorities
  2. Devoting time for prayer, and not being afraid to pray openly in public
  3. Actively participating in the life of the parish.

 

Priorities      

• Strengthening the Family-Church Connection (Family/Community)
 
Definition: We want our parishes to support and nurture family life at home, to strengthen the faith all of our families, and to offer family friendly events and programs. We especially want our parishes to support parents in their role in raising faith filled children, deepen their faith in the Eucharist, and help them feel that they belong to the church community.  We also want to make God more of a priority within the family.
 
Rational:  We believe that stronger nuclear families will make stronger parish families, which can also produce more lasting and committed disciples. 
 
            SMART Goals

1. Hold 2 Listening sessions with Groups to determine the needs to achieve this goal.  Listening Session Year One on 9/30/18. Listening Session Year 2 by 2019.

 
Milestones

• Year 1.  Listening session for Sacramental Prep Parents for all 3 Parishes
• Year 2.  Listening session held at retreat for Sacramental Prep Retreat Year 1 and 2 (May 2019)
  • Focus of Listening Session: how can the parish support parents as their children’s first teachers and continue to go to church.
  • Minimally one priority per year will be implemented from the Listening Sessions.

 
Additional Activities

• Year 2.  Unitas group.  Hold a reunion for them (January - May 2019)
• Year 3.  Identify another group to implement priorities from Listening Sessions – such as Baptismal parents (September 2019-May 2020)

 
 
 

2. Initiate a new Annual Cluster Family Day event for prayer, community and fun by June 30, 2019 to support Cluster Identity.
   •  Cluster Picnic at Fort Williams or Beach, Family Day. 

 

 
 
• Make disciples of Jesus Christ
 
Definition: "To bring the good news of the Gospel to all who seek the life-giving message of faith in Jesus Christ".
 
Rationale: We feel that many are seeking true meaning and purpose in their lives. We recognize that others hope to develop a personal relationship with Christ. It is therefore important to not only form, but also to nourish and deepen one's faith through catechesis, spirituality and outreach.
 
SMART Goals

1. Initiate an adult catechetical experience for parents during children’s Faith Formation classes at the Cluster during Advent, December 2018. 

 

2. Begin offering a yearly retreat or prayer or mission for the Cluster.
   • We could offer evenings prayers for Solemnities and the Seasons.
     1. Taize Prayers during Lent 2018
     2. Hold Sunday Evening Prayers during one Sunday of each Season
   • Mission or retreat during Lent 2019.
3. Transform the “Building Bridges and Fostering Diversity” Dinner into an Annual Community event by Spring 2019.
   • Meet interfaith to develop future event by Fall 2018
   • Educational community event around diversity for Spring 2018
   • Event January 2019 (around prayer for Christian Unity Jan 18-25^th)

 
 
• Stewardship – Sharing of ourselves
 
Definition: “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care”. All of our gifts come from God. As stewards of these gifts, we are asked to take these gifts, multiply, and return them.
 
Rational: We wish to foster a deeper commitment to the “mission” of our parish. Our parish needs the gifts/involvement of all in order to build a stronger church. We need all parishioners to take the gifts entrusted to them by God and give back with their time, talents and financial support. By volunteering in the many programs, committees, supported by the parish and in our communities we contribute both time and talents. With our financial support we insure the proper funding to move the “mission” forward.
 
 
SMART Goals
 

1. Create Cluster handbook of all our Volunteer opportunities and ministries by September 2018. 

 

2. Organize Volunteer recruitment drive to bring in 25 new volunteers in year 1 by end of November 2018.    

 
Stewardship – Sharing of ourselves (continued)
 

3. Engage middle and high school youth through meaningful volunteer opportunities into Cluster Activities by May 2019

 

4. Form a Welcoming Committee for new parishioners to welcome them and connect them to the Cluster and the opportunities for volunteering by December 31, 2018.