St. Gertrude Catholic Parish

Plan 2012 - St. Gertrude Parish Poised for a New Century

Introduction
“A Catholic parish doesn’t need a plan. It needs prayer and trust in the Spirit!”

That’s one possible response to the idea of a parish plan, but the reality is that a parish needs prayer, trust in the Spirit AND a plan.

St. Gertrude Parish is an exciting mix of the planned and the spontaneous – that will not change. A glance at the parish directory gives one indication of the parish’s vibrancy - 55 parish organizations are listed. But an honest assessment acknowledges that while many of these parish organizations are robust, some are adrift. Moreover, the parish staff knows that the volume of tasks and the pace of life make it near impossible to consistently give full and proper attention to the most important aspects of parish life.

Does St. Gertrude need a plan which must be followed rigidly? No. However, St. Gertrude does need a sense of focus and direction so that the energies of the parish staff and the parishioners can more fully realize the mission of the parish.

Mission Statement
St. Gertrude Parish ministers to the diverse and evolving communities of Edgewater and Rogers Park, drawing upon the creativity, industry, generosity and compassion of our members in the name of Jesus, teacher and Lord.

In particular, we:
• Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
• Build up a community of love through hospitality and participation.
• Celebrate liturgies in a spirit of joy, hope and gratitude.
• Serve others and seek to change social structures in conformity with the Good News we proclaim.
• Inspire all to grow in their relationship to Jesus Christ.
• Seek to be good stewards of our material and financial resources.
• Commit ourselves to future generations.

A Word about St. Gertrude Parish in Early 2008

A Time of Growth, Excitement and Celebration
The wider Church has been staggered by sexual abuse headlines and financial challenges and each parish, indeed, each Catholic, has felt these waves in one way or another. But, that is not the whole story here at St. Gertrude. While not forgetting these other realities, we have much to celebrate. We are in a time of growth, excitement and we will be celebrating our 100th anniversary in the year 2012.

Stability and Change
In certain respects St. Gertrude is a parish with deep roots and enduring strengths and in other ways we are in transition. Our loyal base of parishioners is growing older. Many of the people we have relied upon to provide leadership find themselves ready to pass the torch on to the next generation. Meanwhile, our parish school, which endured 10 years of challenge trying to find its footing, has stabilized in the past few years and is a source of pride and promise. Young adults are taking a close look at our parish scene, although by nature they are a mobile group. Our neighborhood is receiving the benefit of significant development dollars which has brought new families into the fold but has sent some others away. Our senior outreach, Heart To Heart, is a big-hearted service to our older members, a group that seems to be growing rapidly. New parishioners come with their own set of interests and spiritual sensibilities. Some are extremely active in political causes and neighborhood issues; others are more inclined toward contemplative prayer and small-group reflection.

Our parish has experienced a level of financial stability unknown elsewhere in our local cluster of parishes, while our neighborhood includes the “hidden” poor. Our newly formed Greeter ministry is full of enthusiastic people, many of whom have not previously served the parish so intentionally. Our youth ministry is likewise full of enthusiastic potential.

This plan is a response to the wonderful opportunities we have before us. It understands the need for a collective effort on the part of our entire membership in order to achieve the goals presented within.

The Basic Elements of the Plan At-A-Glance
After reviewing the existing ministries of the parish, reflecting on the needs of our members (and others the parish serves) and after considering the strengths of the parish, it is proposed that St. Gertrude can most fully live out its mission by concentrating on the following opportunities over the next five years. [Of course, there are many important ministries at St. Gertrude which do not appear under these highlighted aspects of parish life. This does not in any way diminish their importance to the parish.]

Sunday Liturgy
The Eucharist is our source and our summit. Through the years Sunday liturgies at St. Gertrude have been a strength of the parish. The plan calls for building on this strength and working to provide uplifting, spiritually nourishing celebrations which not only feed the spirit but also serve as a motivational support for other parish ministries.

Building Relationships
Building relationships has been a cornerstone in the planning discussions. The plan calls for improved efforts at reaching out to those around us. This will include not only established parishioners and those who are new to St. Gertrude, but also individuals and groups beyond our church walls.

Social Action
One of the hallmarks of St. Gertrude is our commitment to social action in the neighborhoods of the parish, the Church and the wider world. The parish plan will support this aspect of parish life and do so in a way that is integrated with liturgy and other aspects of the parish.

Youth Ministry
The parish youth ministry is another strength upon which further development can be launched. The WOW program can be enhanced by developing separate programs for middle school and high school students. Something special is needed to capture the energies of high school students. A challenging opportunity is proposed which is designed to both engage the imagination of high school students and integrate their experience of liturgy, parish life and social justice.

Adult Religious Formation
The proposals in this part of the plan are a blend of the old and the new. Faith sharing groups have been part of St. Gertrude for a long time. Extending the opportunity to participate in a faith sharing experience is part of the plan. Reviving the “Go and Do Likewise” retreat experience with particular attention to tapping into new parishioners is proposed. The Centennial celebration of the parish offers opportunities to develop faith-focused events. Similarly, drawing on the artists in the community to stimulate the religious imagination of the adults of the parish is proposed.

Lay Leadership and a Pastoral Council
A newly organized lay board will make explicit our understanding of Church as the People of God.

Sunday Liturgy
Worship the LORD with gladness; come into God’s presence singing for joy! Psalm 100:2
For many parishioners Sunday Mass is their only experience of parish life. For others it
is only part of how they are connected here. For all it is the crossroads and our primary
opportunity to bring the mission of the parish to life.
1. We will make the Church a welcoming, inviting place.
a. Highlight the beauty of the physical environment.
b. Improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including those who are in wheelchairs, both in the nave and in the sanctuary.
c. Repair dead spots in the sound system, including the sanctuary.
d. Make sure there is adequate heat.

2. We will make use of the liturgy to foster connections among those who attend mass and the wider parish.
a. Greet those nearby at the beginning of Mass.
b. Recognize new parishioners and visitors.
c. Help seniors and those with chronic illnesses get to mass.
d. Acknowledge greeters, lectors, servers, Eucharistic ministers, especially first-timers.
e. Make clearer connections between Sunday Mass and our formation (Growing In Faith) programs and social justice efforts.

3. We will work to sustain a sense of freshness in Sunday liturgy.
a. Deepen the understanding (experience) of the liturgy by explaining (exploring) the meaning of symbols and ritual. This would be done sparingly at mass, more often via written material and workshops.
b. The quality of the music and the homily remain key factors for many in their experience of the Sunday liturgy. Identify ways to deepen the experience of both, especially through periodic extraordinary liturgical experiences (instruments/choir/art/creative use of space inside and outside the Church)

4. We will expand the number of people who minister at Sunday liturgy and provide regular training opportunities.

5. We will develop a Mass schedule which responds to the needs of the parish and can be supported as a spiritually refreshing (renewing) experience.

6. We will explore the possibility of restoring the church organ.2 Cost, usage, and posterity will be key values in assessing this exploration. [Centennial fundraiser – estimated cost $136,000.]

7. We will explore the possibility of a new baptismal font. [Centennial fundraiser – estimated cost $ 40,000.]

Building Relationships
Finally, brothers and sisters, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor 13:11
In one sense “building relationships” is at the heart of all aspects of parish life. Therefore, it is singled out in the parish plan because it is believed there are many people who could be drawn into the life of the parish if additional efforts were made. Four groups were identified: 1) “loose checks” (those who attend Mass and submit a check but are not registered); 2) new parishioners; 3) involved parishioners who wish to get more involved; and, 4) the disaffected.

8. We will reach out to those who contribute to the parish financially but who are not registered parishioners.
a. These “loose checks” will be contacted in a direct, personal way. [This is referred to as the Allen Stryczek method. It is described as warm, no pressure welcome and invitation into parish life.] Additional people will need to be recruited and trained for this work.

9. We will develop and implement a more systematic way of noticing potential new
parishioners and extending an invitation to them. (see Appendix A)
a. Idea – New Parishioners party – say hello, explain the parish history, share faith stories, invite people to come to particular ministries and faith- building experiences. Have established parishioners on hand to talk about their experience of the parish.
b. Try a “Bring Somebody New” event/dinner/reception after an event.

10. We will start new faith sharing groups.
a. Using the established practice of forming faith sharing groups during Lent, efforts will be made to form new groups for those who wish to continue beyond Lent. New types of groups will also be considered, e.g. Journaling.

11. We will communicate who we are.
a. At Sunday Mass (greeters, lectors, musicians, servers, Eucharistic ministers).
b. Through the bulletin – use pictures where possible.
c. A greeting gesture at the beginning of Sunday liturgy to make the experience more personal.
d. A pictorial parish directory will be explored.
e. Continue to develop our parish website.

12. We will actively promote existing ministries/activities that are viable and self-sustaining.

13. We will use hospitality to foster connections. (Note: This should not be loaded on staff. It is an opportunity for parishioners. A hospitality committee and budget may be necessary.)

14. We will reach out to those who are disaffected from church for whatever reasons.
a. How this can be done is uncertain. It may be done informally, or as a “Coming Home” event, or as a form of “reconcilement”.

Social Action
The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; to proclaim
release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Luke 4:18
There are many issues of social justice which are supported at St. Gertrude. These issues are supported through prayer, by giving the issue voice/visibility [By “voice/visibility” we mean space in parish publications and expression in parish gatherings.], staff support to aid organization and, in some circumstances, through financial support. Some issues are global in scale while others are as immediate as a local family with emergency needs.

15. We will develop a policy which will help determine the extent of our spiritual and
material support for social justice issues. (Here is a possible policy.)

• If the issue is consistent with the parish mission, we will support it with prayer and voice/visibility.
• If the issue is consistent with the parish mission and has broad support among the parishioners, we will support it with prayer, voice/visibility and help organize a parish response.
• If the issue is consistent with the parish mission, enjoys broad support and is part of people’s lives in the Edgewater/Rogers Park area, we will support it with prayer, voice/visibility, organized action (if appropriate) and financial support, if necessary. [Cabinet note: What constitutes financial support needs clarified.]

16. We will articulate a policy which defines what emergency services we can and cannot provide and develop a way to make timely referrals for needs we cannot meet.

17. We will proclaim the gospel (homilies, classes, retreats, etc.) in ways which draw people toward action in response to social justice issues as they see them in their lives.

18. We will continue to support Heart-to-Heart at its present level of effectiveness for the next five years.

19. We will continue to support Care for Real.

20. We will evaluate our support for the Epworth Shelter and Organization of the NorthEast, and explore opportunities to work with neighboring congregations. This evaluation will include an assessment of neighborhood needs and services being offered to satisfy those needs, including St. Vincent de Paul.

21. We will sustain our existing social justice ministries: Pax Christi, Environment, Immigration.

22. We will integrate social justice/direct service into other aspects of parish life – liturgy, school, adult formation.
a. Integrate parish activities, e.g. poetry selections, liturgy, liturgical art, school-related work, the parish play, faith groups, etc. around a social justice theme which is clearly part of our neighborhood reality.
b. Create or develop volunteer opportunities for families around issues of Human Concerns and Social Justice.

Youth Ministry
Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone?
Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? Matthew 7:9-10
The parish enjoys the benefits of some well-established programs for youth. KidsWord (Childrens Liturgy of the Word at mass), CCD (Sunday School) and WOW (Walk On Water, our youth organization) faith sharing groups for high-school age students form a foundation upon which other activities can be built. Teenagers are a particular challenge and opportunity. While continuing the present activities, the parish looks to reach out to teenagers in a special way.

23. We will increase the number of faith sharing groups for teenagers from two to four. (This will involve working with the parents in the process of encouraging their children to explore this experience.)

24. We will establish a monthly teen Mass. This may be an extra mass planned and administered by the teens, or it may be an existing mass for which the teens become the lead ministers.

25. We will provide a retreat experience for high school students once a year.

26. We will visit the parish teenagers at their HS campuses and follow up the parish youth as they enter college.

27. We will institute an annual service trip as the organizing element for a full year cycle of engaging faith formation activities. (The trip could be to a US area in need or to another country.)
a. The experience will involve learning about the needs of the people in the area to be served. Teens will earn their participation on the trip through local service projects, mass participation, fundraising and retreat participation.
b. The experience will cover a year and include planning the trip, a commissioning ceremony, the trip experience itself, debriefing back home, teaching what was learned to the parish, especially the younger  WOW children.

28. We will hire a youth minister (.5 time) to support the on-going and expanded youth-focused activities [Approximate cost of a half-time youth minister: $25,000.].

Adult Religious Formation
Create a clean heart for me, O God; put a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51
Adults in St. Gertrude have an appetite for experiences which deepen their spirituality and help build a bridge between their faith and the lives they lead. Faith sharing groups have been part of St. Gertrude and can be expanded to reach even more people. These groups, however, reach a relative few. Other experiences, some familiar and others new, need to be made available.

29. We will foster a connection between existing faith sharing groups and the parish. (Possible actions include visits from the pastor; a retreat day for the faith sharing groups).

30. We will promote the development of faith sharing groups for interested parishioners. Certain sub populations of adults in the parish may be open to the experience (e.g. young moms).
a. Invite interested persons to an “Info Session” to learn what a faith sharing group is, what it takes to keep it going.
b. Assist Lenten faith sharing groups to continue. Start by holding an event to celebrate the Lenten groups sometime after Easter at the Ministry Center. [A similar event is held at the Tobin household during Lent.]

31. We will conduct a multi-year cycle of faith-building experiences (curriculum) building on the “Go and Do Likewise” retreat experience, which intentionally brought together newly-registered parishioners with well-established ones.
a. The cycle could build toward the Centennial. (see below)
b. The specific ideas should be formed by the Growing in Faith group.
c. These events will need promotion to be successful. An initial push from staff will be part of this effort.

32. We will integrate the Centennial with the faith formation efforts of the parish. The centennial will be a spiritual year with a theme which will be the integrating principle.
a. Establish a Centennial planning group.

33. We will experiment with faith expressed through art.
Sample idea – “Come to the Water”. The lake, water as symbol, the sacramental meaning of water, artistic representation on display in the church and ties to the liturgy combine to enhance the adult faith in the parish. In this example there is a possible tie-in to a fountain in Fr. Bill’s garden.

34. We will consider keeping the church open one evening per week as a way to encourage personal private prayer, and as a link between individuals and our communal worship in the church on Sunday.

Lay Leadership and A Parish Council
“Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable to be
your leaders.” Deut 1:13
In 2004 St. Gertrude held a parish-wide Synod. The main purpose of the Synod was to give structure to our belief that we, the parish membership, are the church, and that we, therefore, need to be making the decisions about how the parish shall be.

Since 2004, our parish has had, in essence, two different boards.
One is the Parish Council, made up of parishioners-at-large, who consider agenda items presented by the parish staff, offering advice and occasional action on behalf of those items. The main event sponsored by the Parish Council is the Parish Leadership Summit. The Summit, usually held in May, is a gathering of all the organizational and ministry leaders of the parish, as well as interested parish members, who hear and respond to a “State of the Parish” address.

The other leadership board is called “The Synod Group.” This group is made up of those who head the synod committees: Spirituality, Growing In Faith (formation), Human Concerns / Social Justice, and Youth. They  meet to report on their activities, which constitute a significant part of our annual parish calendar of events.

We propose to convert these two boards into one, creating a Parish Council that:

• Has as its sphere of influence the entire parish operation, save personnel.
• Offers advice based on personal reflection and, as needed, research.
• Is made up of representatives from our four Synod areas, plus Social Life, Facilities/Finance, and the pastor.
• Also includes 4 ad hoc members of the parish.
• Meets every other month.
• Has regular attendance by staff members and other, depending on the agenda.

Additional Comments
In order for the important work of the parish to continue and flourish, our parish facilities will need to be maintained at a high level of working order. The Ministry Center in particular is in need of some serious repair. While efforts have been made to maintain the integrity of the building, (e.g. fixing the roof), there are systems in need of restoration and, in some cases, upgrade. These include plumbing and electrical.

Besides our facilities, Plan 2012 suggests other initiatives that will require funding beyond our usual, annual budget. Therefore, we will also launch a fund-raising campaign in order to generate the money needed to pay for the mission-driven ministries proposed by this plan.

Respectfully submitted:
Rev. Dominic Grassi, pastor
Pat Reardon, synod team leader
Rose Cancilla, parish council chair

Appendix A
New Parishioner Contact Flow Charting Process