Older woman and young boy cleaning pews in the parish, wearing masks
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Discussion Questions

  1. How does your parish reach out in justice and love?
    • Physical need for shelter and food
    • Foodbank, Out of the Cold and/or St. Vincent de Paul Society
    • Refugee sponsorship
    • Advocacy work that is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching
    • Emotional need to be seen and heard
    • The gift of presence – do we see Christ present in the other?
    • The gift of listening – everyone has a story to share.  Are we open to receiving their story?
    • The gift of encouragement – do we find ways to encourage others to engage with sharing their own special talent?  Have we been encouraged to share our own talents with the parish community?
    • Can you see a wider path for inviting parishioners on the journey of reaching out to the needy?
  1. How does your parish community experience the Gospel?
    • Sacraments
    • Sacramental Preparation
    • Weddings 
    • Funerals
    • RCIA
    • Liturgy of the Hours
    • Bible study
    • Bible camp for children
    • Lectio Divina
    • Liturgy of the Word with Children
    • Alpha and/or other small groups
    • Men’s and Women’s groups
    • Parish Missions, Ministry Retreats and/or Stewardship Retreats 
    • Dramatizations of Gospel stories with children and/or adults, Passion Plays – e.g. Oberammergau, Germany
    • Pilgrimages to Holy Land, Rome, Santiago de Compostela, St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, St. Paul’s Basilica, Martyrs Shrine, World Youth Day, Eucharistic Congress, etc.
  1. How does your parish nurture beauty?
    • Liturgical music and art
    • Tour of your church’s sacred spaces
    • Decorations in the sanctuary – flowers, liturgical themes
    • Well-kept grounds – places for contemplation
    • Inviting gardeners to plant flowers 
  1. How does your parish support fun and joy as an extension of Stewardship?
    • Tree lighting ceremony at Christmas, followed by hot chocolate
    • Parish skating parties
    • Concerts
    • Volunteer appreciation gatherings
    • Pasta nights, Foods of the World potlucks
    • Parish picnics
    • Sports activities
    • Harvest bazaars 
    • Sunday coffee after Mass
    • Pancake Breakfast
  1. The Cardinal states, “We are stewards of our life and not masters.”  How does your parish experience or are informed to understand this in terms of:
    • Abortion
    • Chronic illness and suffering
    • Euthanasia 
    • Sacredness of marriage
    • The gift of children
    • The gift of grandparents and the elderly
    • The gift of the mature adult who balances both the lives of the very young and the elderly
    • The gift of creation
  1. Who can your parishioners turn to for education and support when facing a crisis?
    • A crisis of faith – opportunities for spiritual direction
    • A crisis of health 
    • A crisis of life meaning – depression
    • A crisis of finances – inability to provide for the basics of life
  1. How do you welcome people into full, active engagement in your parish life?
    • Those who are new to the faith – once the RCIA is completed
    • Those preparing for the sacraments and their parents
    • Parents with small children
    • Persons with special needs
    • New parishioners 
    • Those who are new to the neighborhood and parish community
  1. How does your parish encourage and nurture vocations?
    • To the priesthood
    • To the Permanent Diaconate
    • To religious and consecrated life
    • To married life
    • To lay ministry
  1. How does your parish encourage faith practices?
    • Prayer and Adoration
    • Rosary
    • Stations of the Cross
    • Processions
    • Family Faith Practices
    • Celebrating milestones (e.g. graduations, anniversaries)
    • Equipping parents and grandparents as faith formers
    • Serving those in need
  1. How does your parish form disciples for ministry and mission?
    • Altar servers
    • Lectors
    • Liturgy of the Word with Children 
    • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
    • Liturgical Musicians
    • Ministers of Hospitality
    • Catechists
    • RCIA 
    • Youth and Young Adults
    • Families
    • Maturing Adults 
    • Sacramental Preparation 
    • Visitors to the Sick
    • Ministers of Bereavement 
  1. How do you encourage other people to share their time and talents?
    • Stewardship Committee 
    • Ministry Fairs
    • Witness talks
    • Preaching
    • Catechesis
    • Annual renewals of time and talent
    • Personalized invitations to join a ministry
    • Recognizing and encouraging the potential of others (e.g. Spiritual Gifts Survey, CliftonStrengths Assessment)
    • Gestures of appreciation to those who are engaged in ministry
  1. How does your parish foster “an attitude of gratitude”?
    • Towards God
    • Towards parishioners
    • Beyond the parish family