cluster - archkck web viewdiscuss among the cluster parishes the present activity, strengths, and...

1

ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSASTOPEKA REGION

TOPEKA CITY CLUSTER CLUSTER EVALUATION OF CRITERIA FOR PLANNING

In Preparation for Making a Suggestion for a Future Model or Models

To work as a cluster you will need:

1. Each Parish’s Long Form, Short Form, or Combo Form Evaluation of the Criteria for planning (at least one copy so a representative can speak from it.)

2. Each Parish’s Data Verification Form (one copy for each member of the Cluster Team)3. Each Parish’s “Parish Summary” (one copy for each member of the Cluster Team)4. One copy of this document for each member of the Cluster Team.

Please use the pages which follow to:

1. Gather in prayer, reflection, and faith sharing using one of the readings which will be proclaimed at next Sunday’s liturgy.

2. Evaluate your cluster’s experience of the criteria related to: Conversion - Sacramental Life of the Parish Evangelization – Go and Make Disciples Catholic Education in all its Forms Serving Those in Need – Justice, Advocacy, Prolife and Outreach Stewardship - Effective Administration

3. Plan for a cooperative opportunity with your cluster parishes by suggesting a parish model or models for your future.

This work will be the basis for your suggestion to be developed for the Regional Planning Commission.

Name of your parish________________________________ City______________________







2


CLUSTER PLANNING

CONVERSION - SACRAMENTAL LIFE OF THE PARISH

Name of Cluster Parishes

Parish: ___Christ The King _____________ City____Topeka _____________

Parish: ___Mater Dei _________________ City_____Topeka_____________

Parish: ___Most Pure Heart of Mary _____ City_____Topeka____________

Parish: ___Mother Teresa ______________ City_____Topeka_____________

Parish: ___Our Lady of Guadalupe_______ City_____Topeka_____________

Parish: ___Sacred Heart/St. Joe_________ City_____Topeka______________

Parish: ___St. Matthew’s_______________ City_____Topeka______________

3

CLUSTER PLANNINGCONVERSION - SACRAMENTAL LIFE OF THE PARISH

Current Reality

4. Discuss among the cluster parishes the present activity, strengths, and concerns related to Criteria # 1, 2, 3, 5 and 5 of Sacramental Life of the Parish which each parish evaluated. Significant discussion points included:

All parishes see sacramental life as an overall strength.

Most parishes feel there are sufficient masses in Topeka. With a limited number of priests available, there is no strategic way to increase the number but the times the masses are schedule could be modified, especially for weekday masses.

The demand for Spanish speaking masses is a concern expressed by OLG. Their capacity is limited and parking is a problem. Many Spanish speaking Catholics may live closer to other parishes. OLG would prefer to share the Spanish Masses with other parishes but it may make more sense that Spanish Masses be in OLG since it is a National Parish.

Developing a stronger youth ministry is a priority for all parishes. Connecting youth to the Sacraments is a challenge at this time.

Ways to collaborate with missions and minister training was discussed.

5. What key thoughts occurred to you from looking at the present reality?

The Topeka parishes do a pretty good job overall, yet there is always room for improvement.

6. What are the planning implications based on the information from the Data Verification material and each parish’s Parish Summary for Sacramental Life of the Parish?

The limited number of priest in Topeka and the uncertainty of the number of associate pastors available in the future will directly affect the effectiveness and success of the plans and outcomes from this planning process.

The number of parishioners, baptisms, weddings, etc. seem fairly steady in the Topeka parishes. Some slight decreases noticed with CTK, MD, MPHM. OLG noticing the strongest increases. SH/SJ noticing slight increases.

Three parishes would like more training of ministers.

4

Preferred Future

1. What are some ideas we might explore together to enhance our experience of Sacramental Life of the Parish as a cluster?

Explore the opportunity to provide Spanish Masses in several locations in Topeka since OLG’s capacity (and parking lot) is limited and Spanish-speaking Catholics live throughout the region.

The parishes that are interested in providing weekday evening masses will work together to provide those with shift work and family obligations a greater opportunity for devotion to daily Mass.

Create a regional youth coordinator position to grow the youth ministry and promote collaboration between parishes

Implement a regional mission

Designate Assumption as the “Mother Church” of Topeka and promote events regionally to be held there

Publicizing mass and confession times of individual parishes to the whole region

Shared program for bereavement and divorced Catholics

Consider a regional healing program (Anointing of Sick Mass). Glory to God community could possibly be a conduit for this.

Develop a plan to find more couples for marriage prep!

2. What are some hoped for results?

Greater commitment and devotion among Catholics witnessed by an increase in participation of Catholics in Sacramental life, especially Mass and Confession

Stronger faith-filled youth who will keep the faith and be disciples for life

Effective ministry to Catholics that are Spanish speaking only

5


CLUSTER PLANNING

EVANGELIZATION – GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES


Parish: Christ The King City Topeka

Parish: Mater Dei City Topeka

Parish: Most Pure Heart of Mary City Topeka

Parish: Mother Teresa City Topeka

Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe City Topeka

Parish: Sacred Heart/St. Joseph City Topeka

Parish: St. Matthews City Topeka

6

CLUSTER PLANNING

EVANGELIZATION – GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES

1. Discuss among the cluster parishes the present activity, strengths, and concerns related to Criteria # 6, 7 and 8 Evangelization which each parish evaluated.

Current Reality –

Significant discussion points included:

All parishes are aligned that there is a presence of Evangelization in each parish. The presence comes in the form of activities such as RCIA, retreats, etc. Each parish focuses on certain aspects, based in part on their demographics and available resources. Most of the churches do not have the means to provide programs for every socio-graphic or generational group.

All parishes are aligned on the need for a clear and simple definition of what Evangelization is which will help with the communication process across all parishes. The level of uncertainty on what Evangelization looks like was seen consistently across all parishes.

All parishes are aligned that there is currently no formal education process as it relates to Evangelization. Even though there is consensus that Evangelization exists, whether through individual or collective organized parish actions or activities performed. It would be beneficial for all parishes if a more intentional and deliberate process was developed to help all parish members understand what is needed and expected.

Each parish is aligned on the concern and need to effectively engage its young members and assist with the implementation of Evangelization into their daily lives. Active engagement of the younger members is critical to the growth of all parishes

What key thoughts occurred to you from looking at the present reality?

Based on the parish surveys, the members of the parish desire guidance and education on how to implement Evangelization into their daily lives. Simply put, people do not realize they Evangelize every day by their actions or words. The whole purpose of sharing what you know about Jesus with others is to lead them into a personal relationship with God. Providing opportunities to continue to educate parishioners on Evangelization in the Catholic faith with the intent to dispel fears or misconceptions about Evangelization, will give them the knowledge and confidence to share the Word more freely with others.

7

The Topeka Region has an opportunity to grow IF Evangelization becomes a top priority within our parishes, families and neighborhoods.

Creating a collaborative process with all parishes needs to be developed and implemented.

In order for the collaborative process to be successful, this effort must be a priority for all parishes and a commitment must be made to provide the necessary time and focus in order to develop a solid and cohesive strategy and communication plan.

Diverse methods of communication need to be implemented. Parish members like to obtain information in different ways such as: Paper (bulletins), Parish website, Twitter, Facebook, etc.. Need to be open on and consistent how information is delivered.

All parishes want to improve the communication and collaboration with the other Topeka parishes. We want to learn from each other.

What are the planning implications based on the information from the Data Verification material and each parish’s Parish Summary related to Evangelization as a cluster?

While based on the survey results it may appear there could be other areas of focus that could take precedence over Evangelization in some parishes due to their struggle with identifying and having enough time and resources to work on all areas that need to be addressed, this Cluster Committee feels strongly that Evangelization is a fundamental premise to the Catholic faith and as a result, must be the impetus for conversion of heart resulting in a stronger commitment to the church. “The Church doesn’t have a mission, the Church IS a mission.” As Pope John Paul II said, “The time has come that ALL the Church’s energies be committed to the New Evangelization.”

An opportunity to evaluate like resources among parishes that could potentially be combined, especially where there is a paid person in every parish. Some ideas include: Having one paid and trained Regional Youth Director, Regional Education Director (RCIA), Regional Facilitator, etc.. Each parish has different ways of handling the positions as some are full time paid employees, some are volunteers, some are college students and some are part time paid employees. This is an area that should be evaluated.

Preferred Future

What are some ideas we might explore together to enhance our sense of welcoming and Evangelization as a cluster?

8

Through active collaboration, we need to find activities engaging/appealing to the young people of the parish. There are other churches in Topeka that appeal to young people and there are Catholics attending those activities. We need to learn from other churches in the community. May want to consider concerts, hosting classes for the community (i.e. resume writing, interview tips, child care issues), youth retreats, and /or theology on tap.

Explore the development of programs or activities for all parish members such as teenagers, young adults, widowed, unchurched, etc. Encourage and promote participation in stewardship and educational opportunities across parish boundaries as they may appeal to people outside the hosting/organizing parish.

Consider having one paid Youth Director for the entire Topeka region with a committee or consulting board made up of 1-2 people from each parish. The board would assist with ideas and organizing events. This would unify the experience and encourage strong fellowship and camaraderie among the young Topeka Catholics versus having separate youth groups in each parish. Sharing resources could also be cost effective.

Consider having a regional calendar that would allow all parish members to see what is available in the Topeka Region. The vision would be for the regional calendar to not only include mass and confession times, but also to include activities, classes, festivals, fundraising activities, etc. for all to view.

Regional collaboration needs to continue in order to share ideas such as: formal ways to welcome people into our parishes, processes, communication, etc. Sharing information would allow parishes to see what is working in other parishes versus reinventing the wheel.

Marketing – Create a Topeka Region marketing plan on what it means to be Catholic – which would appeal to all people. This would also be an effective way to provide awareness of the presence of the Catholic Church in the Topeka and surrounding communities to non-Catholics and the unchurched. The marketing plan could incorporate a suggestion to have a billboard on the highway that lists all the Catholic Churches in Topeka. The marketing plan can include a standard template for postcards or flyers the Catholic schools could send out to prospective students along with leaflets or brochures that could be handed out at various events. Advertising and Inviting people to certain fun activities (Mexican Fiesta, Trivia Night, Irish Fest, SummerFest, etc..) in an effort to get more people to attend and possibly encourage unity among the Topeka parishes.

Catholic schools are key to our growth and they are key in getting more people involved. Collaboration among parishes needs to occur in order to develop a comprehensive regional strategy on how to get more kids into our existing schools.

What are some hoped for results?

9

To promote fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) through engaging the baptismal mandate of each Catholic to evangelize by first living and then communicating the fullness of life within the family of God and the Church

Bring back Catholics that have fallen away

Engage our youth – they are the future of the church

Parish members will be familiar with Evangelization in all its forms

Rely upon the support of the Archdiocese and the Office of Evangelization

Creating standard processes and procedures on how to implement an effective strategy as it relates to Evangelization

Development of a Topeka Regional Committee in order to facilitate the ongoing collaboration among parishes to better function as a Topeka Catholic community.

10


CLUSTER PLANNING

CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN ALL ITS FORMS


Parish: Christ the King_________________ City Topeka

Parish: Mater Dei_____________________ City Topeka

Parish: Most Pure Heart of Mary_________ City Topeka

Parish: Mother Teresa__________________City Topeka

Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe__________ City Topeka

Parish: Sacred Heart-St. Joseph__________ City Topeka

Parish: St. Matthew ___________________ City Topeka

11

CLUSTER PLANNING

CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN ALL ITS FORMS

Current Reality

1. Discuss among the cluster parishes the present activity, strengths, and concerns related to Criteria 9, 10, 11 and 12 Catholic Education in all its Forms (including vocation awareness) which each parish evaluated.


a. Religious Education – The goal of all religious education is to get children to heaven; religious education teachers should have access to ongoing religious formation; religious education programs should operate under the Archdiocesan Religion Curriculum; religious education programs should strive to encourage parent involvement and support; religious education programs should consider accountability measures, such as attendance tracking and participating in ACRE testing.

b. Youth Ministry – Youth ministry should strive to be a mixture of intentional service, fellowship and formation; the youth groups in Topeka have varying levels of participation/organization; youth ministry should encourage the youth groups of the region to view the larger Topeka community as their community and to expand their focus beyond their home parishes; youth groups should be encouraged to participate in Corpus Christi, to attend ordinations and to be actively involved in Church social justice functions.

c. Vocations – the 5th grade Vocation Day is a great experience for the students attending Catholic Schools; there should be an opportunity for students in religious education to learn more about vocations and to spend time with priests and those in religious life; opportunities to learn about vocations should include other grade levels in addition to the 5th graders.


a. The religious education programs in Topeka are taught by people who are very dedicated and may welcome the opportunity for formation/direction. They have parents who are supportive, but may not realize the potential for their involvement. Levels of accountability vary from program to program and it is possible for children to be “lost” for several grade levels.

b. The youth groups in the city have varying degrees of participation.

12

c. In the three areas that the cluster group discussed – religious education, youth ministry and vocations – there are multiple opportunities for collaboration and there are similar strengths and challenges across the region.

3. What are the planning implications based on the information from the Data Verification material and each parish’s Parish Summary for Catholic Education in all its Forms as a cluster?

a. The region would benefit form consistency in defining/implementing adult catechesis.

b. Hispanic ministry will be a key component to our region as the largest number of baptisms is occurring in the Hispanic population.

c. Religious education directors and directors of youth ministry may find it beneficial to have opportunities to learn together and work together.

d. Young adults are a group that the cluster believes is overlooked in terms of ongoing formation/fellowship activities.

Preferred Future

1. What are some ideas we might explore together to enhance our Catholic Education?a. Following up with young families to ensure that all children are receiving religious

education – through Catholic School or religious education classes.

b. Accountability for religious education, including curriculum alignment, ongoing teacher formation, regional guidelines and regional planning opportunities, parental guidelines to support the religious education curriculum.

c. Youth and young adult ministry could become more collaborative within the region.

d. Intentional vocation awareness beyond 5th graders in Catholic Schools.


a. Ongoing quality faith formation for all ages.

b. Creating a community of people who actively seek opportunities to serve, to learn about their faith and to participate in fellowship.

c. An increase in vocations throughout the region.

13


CLUSTER PLANNING

SERVING THOSE IN NEED – JUSTICE, ADVOCACY, PROLIFE AND OUTREACH


Parish: Christ The King City Topeka

Parish: Mater Dei City Topeka

Parish: Most Pure Heart of Mary City Topeka

Parish: Mother Theresa City Topeka

Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe City Topeka

Parish: Sacred Heart/St. Joseph City Topeka

Parish: St. Matthews City Topeka

14

CLUSTER PLANNING

SERVING THOSE IN NEED – JUSTICE, ADVOCACY, PROLIFE AND OUTREACH

Current Reality

1. Discuss among the cluster parishes the present activity, strengths, and concerns related to Criteria # 13, 14, and 15 Serving Those in Need which each parish has evaluated. Be sure to discuss each criterion: Justice, Advocacy, Prolife and Outreach.


a. All Topeka Parishes have activities that support social justice, advocacy, and outreach through various missions. Activities include: providing food and emergency support for those in need (directly from the Parish), supporting social service agencies in and around the Topeka community (i.e. Catholic Charities, Let’s Help, Doorstep, Marion Clinic) visiting and supporting the sick and elderly (i.e. hospital, nursing home, and homebound visits), supporting prison ministries (visits and catholic education), and supporting sister parishes in other countries.

b. All Parishes have involvements in and are committed to prolife activities through political action (i.e. events/activities at the State Capital, letters to elected officials, supporting the March of Life in Topeka and Washington DC, and various activities.) Parishes support organizations such as Mary’s Choices and Birthright through fundraising activities and volunteerism. In addition, Parish affiliated organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and Youth Groups also provide support to prolife efforts. All Parishes sponsor or support pro-life prayer and/or prayer events such as a group rosary, petitions at the Sunday Liturgy, coordinated rosary walks, prayer at abortion clinics, etc.

c. While each Parish has activities and involvements as noted in the areas listed in a and b above, better collaboration and coordination between Topeka Parishes and service providers would increase efficiency and effectiveness of outreach and services provided.

d. An on-going Regional Committee should be established for the Topeka Region that would enhance collaboration and provide a mechanism for sustained communications between the Parishes to help identify key issues and work together as a cohesive body to promote social justice within the community. By combining resources and coordinating efforts, Topeka Parishes can have a greater impact in the community and

15

act with one unified voice when communicating with service providers and various levels of government on key issues.

e. Topeka Catholic Schools contribute to efforts of social justice, advocacy, pro-life activities and outreach. In addition to helping to provide services, young Catholic Students are provided a critically important opportunity to experience making a contribution to a joint mission of living gospel values while helping someone in need.

f. Pope Francis’ mission and call to serve others, challenges everyone from all walks of

life to a greater focus and support to serving the needs of others.


a. Not all parishes have a formal Social Justice Committee. Activities could be more impactful if parishes collaborated and possibly combined forces towards specific efforts.

b. Not all Parishes have a liaison representative from a Social Justice Committee on their Pastoral Council and as a result not all parishes are in a position to effectively provide advice and/or support to the Pastor on social justice issues.

c. Improvements are needed to help Parishioners better understand the critical role that stewardship plays in serving the needs of others. No consistent structure or centralized resource is currently in place to direct Parishioners to actively participate in supporting the needs of others.

3. What are the planning implications based on the information from the Data Verification material for criteria # 13, 14, and 15 under Serving Those in Need as a cluster?

a. There are over 27,000 Catholics registered in the Topeka Region. Six of the seven Topeka Parishes report stable or increasing numbers of Parishioners. One Parish has had an approximately 10% decline over a 5 year period.

b. Six of the seven Topeka Parishes have reported a stable or increasing net income over the past 5 year period, while one Parish has had decreasing income and an increasing net loss.

c. Within the collective Topeka region, there is tremendous potential for the seven Topeka Parishes to support, collaborate and grow in their efforts to serve the needs of others.

16

Preferred Future

1. What are some ideas we might explore together to enhance our efforts dealing with serving the needs of others issues related to our cluster?

a. Explore the creation of a Topeka Catholic Regional Council with representatives from each Parish. This Council would work towards enhanced collaboration and coordination of efforts, improved efficiencies, along with better promotion and improved communications in supporting its mission of social justice and advocacy. The Topeka Catholic Regional Council would work in collaboration with organizations such as: Catholic Charities, Let’s Help, Doorstep, Birthright, Mary’s Choices, Marion Clinic, etc.,

b. Each Parish should create a working social justice committee or council to plan, promote, and coordinate outreach efforts within their Parish. A liaison of the social justice committee would advise the pastor on issues related to social justice and/or serve on the Parish’s pastoral council.

c. All Parishes should promote and support Catholic Charities in a coordinated effort to better meet the needs of the broader community.

d. Opportunities to explore areas needing additional support include the Veterans Administration Hospital, Kansas Neurological Institute, Topeka Association for Retarded Citizens, Topeka Rescue Mission, Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex, Topeka Correctional Facility, Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center, Shawnee County Jail, and Valeo Behavioral Health Care.

e. The Topeka Parishes should work in a collaborative manner to help support each other and their members.


a. To educate and support members of the Topeka Catholic Parishes to become involved in and support efforts to live out the gospel in Serving the Needs of Others though justice, advocacy, pro-life activities, and outreach.

b. All parishes want to improve the communication and collaboration with the other

Topeka parishes. We want to learn from each other.

c. Each Topeka Parish will provide sustained support for fellow Parishes in their efforts to provide services and activities in Serving the Needs of Others. This would involve education, promotion, and other support for events and activities.

17

d. Continue to involve the Topeka Catholic Schools in providing opportunities for involvement in justice, advocacy, pro-life, and outreach services.

e. Evaluate services provided by various agencies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness while better managing resources in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of services.

f. It is the hope of this Cluster Committee that the Topeka Catholic Community respond to Pope Francis’ call to serve others in need and continue to be advocates of our Catholic teachings.

g. All seven Topeka Parishes will continue to operate using their current models as collaborative Parishes to best serve the needs of others in the larger Topeka community.

18

CLUSTER PLANNING

STEWARDSHIP - EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION

Current Reality – Significant discussion points included:

All parishes have a strong attachment to their schools and value the growth it provides to their parish but the financial burden they place on the parish budget needs to be addressed. We need to determine why enrollment is down and how it can it can be reversed.

Most parishes have aging buildings that need a plan for proper maintenance and repairs.

Each parish struggles with the effectiveness of their stewardship program (time, treasure, and talent) and needs direction and assistance.

There isn’t currently a strong regional presence in Topeka. We are just learning to communicate and support each other.

Most parishes utilize part-time staff in their parish office. Each parish could benefit from additional staff, training, and resources to support the efforts of the church and priests.

Because we have no effective youth program, we are losing young adults that may not return. This affects our future school enrollment and stewardship program.


Expanding enrollment in our schools will help grow our parishes and improve the opportunity for stewardship but in most cases enrollment in our schools is on the decline.

Sharing our various resources to strengthen our Topeka parishes as a whole would be helpful.

All parishes wish to improve the communication and collaboration with the other Topeka parishes. We want to learn from each other.

The Spanish speaking community is growing in Topeka and is primarily supported by OLG but without additional financial resources.

19

5. What are the planning implications based on the information from the Data Verification material for criteria 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 under Stewardship - Effective Administration as a cluster?

Since many of our numbers are down, finding ways to collaborate within Topeka for training, ministry programs, and other resources is vital. We cannot be successful long term by continuing to stand alone.

With aging facilities, finding a way to manage our maintenance and repairs together will help all of us establish a set schedule and share in some similar expenses.

Developing a regional calendar and supporting each other’s fundraising events will help build a stronger community and help each of our budgets.

Preferred Future

3. What are some ideas we might explore together to enhance our efforts dealing with leadership and the pastoral issues related to our cluster?

Every parish is in need of a good administrative program for stewardship to manage the development of tithing and to track the time and talents of their members. The parishes would like to share a software program that would manage each

parish’s database of donors and members with special talents. Cross referencing our data base of members will help us determine who is actually

in our parish and assign shared members. Annual stewardship programs are not effective. Continually communicating the

needs of the church will allow for additional financial contributions as well as better use of our members special or technical talents. This can be done with recognition programs, postings on websites, email blasts, events, newsletters . . .

Our parishes need assistance developing foundations and endowments to strengthen our financial futures. Regional training and planning will help all parishes develop or enhance a long-term program that has a targeted approach.

A Topeka Collaborative Committee made up of members from each parish should be formed to develop ideas on how the parishes can share resources and ideas. Recommendations would be given to the priests for implementation.

Sharing professional consultants in the areas of Accounting, IT and Property Management could help support our parish staff and provide a more stable environment. Contracting as a group can offer savings and allow parishes to share information and support each other.

Moving all the parishes to the same accounting software and working with an accounting consultant could help us better understand and maintain our financial statements. Staff could also support and help each other between parishes.

20

Since churches are a target for fraud, sharing an IT consultant to secure our firewall and network will help protect private data and reduce the chances for financial losses. Using the same security suites could offer price savings and allow staff to interact and help each other between parishes.

Hiring a consultant in Property Management to give us recommendations and an annual review of our properties will help us focus on a better maintenance and repair plan.

Better trained and supported administrative staff could deal with daily duties and let priests focus on the sacraments.

Regional training for our stewardship committee and priests could also be planned by this committee to identify needs and opportunities. Parishes need to learn how to present and feel comfortable with the tithing concept.

Consider regional training for parish ministry leaders (marriage preparation, religious education, youth ministries and RCIA ) to share a consistent message and combine programs in some parishes if desired.

Making Assumption a regional church will allow Mater Dei to focus on supporting one church and will provide opportunities for all the parishes to make a contribution.

Each parish needs to utilize a succession planning process within their various committees to allow other members to be included and to refresh the committee with new ideas and concepts. A three year term with a portion of the committee rolling over each year should be considered.


The Topeka parishes have financial stability with long term plans for operations and maintenance. A strong and effective stewardship model is developed and implemented.

A collaborative committee can be formed to help manage a calendar, training, resources and other issue that affect the Topeka parishes.

Improved communication and support among the Topeka parish will build a stronger community.

cluster - archkck web viewdiscuss among the cluster parishes the present activity, strengths, and...

Documents