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STEWARDSHIP
- The Parish Process
Look at the needs of the parish.
Identify priorities.
There may be various ways of doing
this but we offer three suggestions which have worked in the past.
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Open parish meeting. |
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Questionnaire distributed to all parishioners or audit of
parish (a sample version of a questionnaire is provided). |
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Use an already existing group to evaluate needs. |
Establish
the stewardship committee.
Possible models of selection:
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The parish priest makes a request to the whole parish,
inviting discernment and nomination |
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Use an already existing parish group such as the parish
council, the finance committee or the ‘parish development group’ |
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The parish priest, in collaboration/consultation with
already existing groups and individuals, nominates people |
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Necessary for the group to meet on a weekly basis during
weeks 1 to 9. |
Education
and formation for the whole parish*
Week 1–5:
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Priest and parishioners speak at Mass. |
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Living in a church of change. |
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Stewardship as an opportunity for everyone in the parish.
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Preaching on 4 characteristics of a steward, 7
characteristics of a stewardship parish. |
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People to share on ministries and explain what is
involved. |
Discerning gifts*
Weeks 6 & 7:
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Discernment of personal gifts – form presented on the
first weekend, filled in, and handed in at the end of the Homily on the
second weekend. May perhaps be taken up at the presentation of gifts.
(Include children and young people in the process.) |
Week 8:
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Preach about gifts. |
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Ministry fair begins. |
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Commitment forms distributed. |
Week 9:
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Ministry fair continues. |
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Commitment forms filled in and returned at the end of
Mass or afterwards to the stewardship committee. |
Evaluation, response, action
Stage 1:
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Stewardship committee meets to review. |
Stage 2:
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Feedback, summary, display, preaching – for the whole
parish. |
Stage 3:
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Meetings of the committed – training where necessary.
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Commitment of a further year from those already involved
– commitment of 2 years for new people. |
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One person to take on co-ordination of ministry area. |
Continuing process
Stewardship committee:
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To meet as appropriate and contact groups for feedback |
Ongoing evaluation:
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Is stewardship being lived out? |
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Are the 7 characteristics evident in the parish? |
6 months later:
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Parish assembly to assess the short-term impact. |
One year later and annually thereafter:
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Major review. |
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Re-commitment weekend. |
*Order suggested rather than set
in stone.
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