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June 2014
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Mary Queen Evangelization Committee June 19, 2014 Minutes
Present: Fr. Arock, John & Ann Mitchell, Carolyn Large, Becky Estep
absent but responded via email: Sue Sopala, Joe & Ginger Osteen
Called to order at 7:05pm with parish meeting prayer and reading from John
Fr. Arock led a short discussion on the importance of outreach to all parts of the church community. Singles were identified as the sometimes overlooked portion of our community.
Carolyn Large and Becky Estep shared the positive experience of a small group using ‘Rediscover Catholicism”. The response has been very enthusiastic and has created much discussion. Several potential leaders have been identified for future groups. Further information will be forthcoming.
The committee collectively went over the recommendations from the task force, section by section.- Environmental and welcoming – all were in general agreement with the following suggestions and questions 1-6 with the following caveats:
- #4 point out to greeters that there are double doors on all entrances. This is often observed as not being manned.
- In task area 7-13, several seemed redundant in regard to the Information Center.
- #8 led to discussion of where the desk could be located at lesser cost. Staff with separate volunteers and not task the Greeters with further responsibilities.
- #10 Consensus was very favorable. ‘ Ask Me’ tags worn by volunteers could be useful.
- #12 extremely important item for both bathrooms.
- In task area 14-17,
- #14 why compromise the space for the music ministry any more with childcare? Long range initial plans were to build a day chapel to be used also as a ‘cry room’. This needs to be a part of long range planning.
- #17 was highly recommended (pew information cards)!
- In task areas 18-21, all similar in nature, all concern ongoing education and re-education of parishioners. Further information is needed on space limitations, materials to be used, and formation of leaders. Clarification of committee tasks is still needed.
- In task areas 22-32, there was general agreement but with the following caveats:
- #22 (survey) drew a negative response.
- #28-29 should these not be addressed by the Liturgy Committee and the Music Director? Why did the ‘performance’ issue arise?
- #31 CRHP post-weekend groups are underutilized for outreach. This area would be an excellent way to involve neophytes in the greater parish community.
- #32 Fr. Danny Schwendeman wrote an excellent multi-part series on the Mass while he was here that was used as an insert in the bulletin for several weeks. These are available and could be reused.
- In task areas 33-44, seemed interconnected with many other areas.
- #33 the term ‘social media’ was not understood. There was expressed concern about this and how it would be monitored.
- #34 why another survey? Have the past ones been productive and successful?
- #35 Is ‘Welcoming Home’ to be considered a separately created program just for Mary Queen? Could this not be combined with the successful program at Christ the King? Why re-invent the wheel?
- #39 Recommend that this parish re-education not be combined with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Rather, have an open house / meeting with the RCIA team, sponsors, and past participants to explain how the RCIA process works as part of a welcoming package to new parishioners.
- In task areas 40-44, agreed that areas of outreach are very important to the parish. The items listed under these task areas need further explanation and information before being undertaken.
Recommendations from those present were for a sabbatical for July and August. Meet in September to re-evaluate the question. The book ‘Nine Words’ by Allen Hunt was recommended for summer reading. Think about an Advent event for the committee to consider.
Those present thanked Fr. Arock for his faithful attendance, leadership, and contributions. We wished him success is his new assignment and pledged our continuing prayers for him.
Meeting close with prayer and adjourned at 8:50pm.
Respectfully submitted, Ann Mitchell
Attachments:
from Sue Sopala:
This felt like a kid in a candy store for me. I love all the work the committee has already done and this is exciting that even a few are incorporated a time, it will show we are moving in the right direction. For somewhere in scripture it says if we are standing still in our faith, we are actually going backwards. Thank you John and to your committee for all the hard work they have done.
I agree with: 1 4 6 8 9 11 12 17 20 21 23 24 25 28 32 33 37 39 40
I disagree with: 2 3 5 15 16 22 29
Further discussion: 10 13 14 19 26 27 30 31 34 35 36 38 41 42 43 44
From Joe & Ginger Osteen:SECTION REFERENCE RECOMMENDATION Joe & Ginger's Input DEPENDS ON COMMITTEE PRIORITY DURATION IN MONTHS COST TRAINING comment ENVIRONMENT/ ACCESS 1.00 Create visitor parking spaces No, unless very limited in number. They may often be idle or misused. B&G 1 $$ 3.00 Establish additional handicapped parking spaces for 4pm mass Yes B&G 1 $$ 5.00 Path to Rectory front door from side entrance Yes 5.01 B&G 1 $$ handicapped access? 5.01 Side entrance procedures in place No, due to security concerns. Use signage to direct to front door. 5.03 Front Office 1 T 5.02 Conduct study on Rectory Handicapped accessibility Yes TBD ? ?? 5.03 Improve signage for Parish office Yes B&G 1 $$ 13.00 Expansion of Greeting Area No B&G 12 $$$ Possibly Expand area to partially enclose the porch area HOSPITALITY 4.00 Name a leader for Greeting Ministry Yes 4.10 Handicapped greeting and assistance into and out of church Yes 4.00,4.20 Greeters 1 4.20 Training for handicapped ministry Yes Greeters 1 T 2.00 Visitor recognition/Welcome TBD 2.01 at parking places No Greeters T 2.02 at Mass (??) Yes (??) 12.00 Bathroom Check before Mass Yes. Minimum pickup, no cleaning. Greeters 1 need leader for greeters; inserted as item 4.0 sequence 9.0 8.00 Develop centralized Information Center No, seems fine where it is. 3 $$$ TTT 8.01 IC Planning and Design phase* TBD 8.02 IC Development of materials TBD 8.04 IC Contruction B&G 9.00 Staffing of new Information Center Yes. TBD TTT 17.00 Comment cards in pews to ask for information and followup No, use our comment box. Communications, Ushers, Staff $$$ TT Brackets with pens installed on pews 10.00 Train volunteers to be able to answer questions; provide Ask Me badges Yes Greeters 1 TTT 10.01 Need leader for Greeter ministry Yes 6.00 Continue doughnut Sunday every month after 8:15 - 11:00 masses Yes Parish Life 1 $ T sign for donations to offset cost 11.00 Encourage everyone to greet their neighbors before the bells at Mass Yes ?? Celebrant or Music ministry? 1 Quick MASS EXPERIENCE 14.00 Nursery for children under 3 No Early Childhood Formation 6 $$$ TT 15.00 Offer a better explanation of the children's dismissal at mass for newcomers so they will know purpose and age of children Yes Liturgy, Children's Liturgy of the Word 1 none Quick 29.00 Prayerfully evaluate Music ministry--Music to lead attendees in worship vs passive listening Yes Music 2 evaluate 28.00 Add Contemporary music (songs and isntruments) to the youth mass No Youth, Liturgy, Music 6 $ 32.00 For four consecutive weeks explain portions of mass during Homily Yes Celebrants 6 $ Evaluate Thematic topics over several weeks in homilies Yes 24.00 Living Stations No Liturgy? 12 T Quick 23.00 Corpus Christi Yes Liturgy 1 T Quick 16.00 Greet baptismal visitors and invite them back Yes Celebrant 1 Quick 22.00 Conduct a survey of those that attend Mass No Evangelization, Ushers 3 TT see additional notes FORMATION 18.00 Establish an ongoing Catholicism 101 Course Yes Adult Formation 6 $$ TT see additional notes 20.00 Offer Catholicism 101 courses online or in a self study format Yes Adult Formation 6 19.00 Establish and ongoing large group formation event with a meal No, we believe that small groups are more effective. Adult Formation 8 $$$ Fellowship and basics 21.00 Reintroduce the monthly whole community assembly for extended catechesis Maybe Adult Formation 6 $$ TT Provide discipleship training; Refreshment 25.00 Get the youth more involved in ministries Yes Youth Ministry 1 Quick 26.00 Small groups to create disciples and light their fire Yes Adult Formation T Evaluate 27.00 Create small groups for new parishoners Yes Adult Formation Evaluate; This could be new youth as well as adults 31.00 Develop a discipleship training program for those completing RCIA, CHRP or other interested persons Maybe Adult Formation 8 redirect to monthly training 30.00 Establish a program much like the pray for a country program to have members of the congregation pray for a specific ministry Yes Devotions 2 $ Similar to the pray for a country program. 38.00 Educate the parish on importance of sharing faith. Yes Adult Formation, Celebrants OUTREACH 39.00 Invite the community to an RCIA inquiry session with a meal No Adult Formation, Parish Life $$ T Open House 35.00 Semi Annual Catholics Returning Home event Yes Parish Life, Adult Formation $$ T Evaluate; While aimed at non-practicing Catholics, encourage parish to invite friends and family 34.00 Non- Practicing Catholics Survey Yes Evangelization 6 $$ unchurched 40.00 St. Paul Street Evangelization Yes Evangelization, Adult Formation TTT Evaluate 36.00 Train teams to go door to door asking for prayer requests and inviting people to attend MQ No Evangelization, Adult Formation 12 TTT 37.00 Mail a postcard to all addresses within parish boundaries with upcoming events; centered around Christmas and Easter No Communications $$$ pick a zip code 41.00 Reach out to Congolese community inviting them to church and forming relationships Maybe Diversity TT 42.00 Hold an event targeted for the refugee group Maybe Diversity $$ 43.00 Follow up with Debbie Goonan for best methods of outreach Maybe Diversity Evaluate 44.00 Reach out to Louisville parishes that are already assisting refugees. Maybe Diversity Evaluate COMMUNICATIONS 7.00 Redesign the Bulletin Yes 2 $ Quick 33.00 Establish a Communication sub-committee for social media Yes TBD 3 Goal is to reach out with a consistent and effective message abou the parish, events and education programs
last updated 06/23/2014 jm - Environmental and welcoming – all were in general agreement with the following suggestions and questions 1-6 with the following caveats: