strategic update

JOURNEY IN FAITH & GRACE

Strategic Planning for the Diocese of BuffaloSt. Mark Parish & School


The Journey begins…

Parish Strengths

Integral Part of Neighborhood

Parishioner Leaders in Business & Community

Strong Scouting Program

Strong Socially Active Parish

CommunityVolunteer Commitment

Attracts Parishioners from Beyond Boundaries

Synergy with School Charitable Giving

(Second Collection, Catholic Charities, etc.)

Parish Weaknesses

Financially Stable but not Secure

Liturgy (Music, lack of Choir.)

Few Participants in Youth Activities

Communication

Spiritual Life (missions, retreats, etc.)

Small Aging Parishioner Base

Lack of funds for Pastoral Assistant

Current Physical Facilities

Parish Opportunities

Centennial Celebration

Communication Plan New Strategic

Partnerships (CSDP, etc)

Liturgy Committee Expansion of

School/Church ActivitiesYouth Ministry

Welcome new families through reorganization

Parish Threats

Diocesan Reorganization

Continued Population Loss in Region

Economic Downturn in Diocese

Loss of Autonomy Physical relocation Reorganization

School Strengths

Regional School Academics Extracurriculars High Quality Faculty &

Leadership Support from Parish & Parish

Groups Strong Parental Involvement Stable, Strong Enrollment

Enrichment Program Excellent Reputation with High

Schools (100% of 8th grade accepted to 1st choice)

Strong Junior High Program (Subject Matter Specialists)

Exhibited Strong Fundraising Ability (allows for smaller parish subsidy)

Formal Special Education Program

School Weaknesses

Current Physical Facilities Specials not as strong as

Core Curriculum Spirituality Fundraising Fatigue Already a Regional

School No room for a Pre K

Skyrocketing Healthcare Recruitment of Teachers

hampered by below market rate salaries

No succession planning Most classes at capacity

– little room for welcoming students from restructured schools

School Opportunities

CSDP Collaboration Expansion/

Improvement of Facilities

Communication Plan Centennial

Development Plan New Strategic

Partnerships

School Threats

Diocesan Financial Challenges

Population Decline Tuition Price

Resistance Major Capital Repair

Emergency

Retirement of Veteran Leaders

Centralized Decision Making

Strategic Goals

Enhance the Spirituality of the Parish Community

Establish quarterly retreats for reflection and prayer Expand and enhance RCIA Programming Create welcoming committee to help integrate new

members into the community Expand and enhance Sacramental preparation

Enhance the weekend Liturgy Survey parish membership regarding number of

Masses, types of Mass (music, etc.) Incorporate regular celebrations of Children’s Choir Incorporate periodic visits by local high school

choirs Invite guest homilists or celebrants from area high

schools and colleges Re-establish an Adult Choir to perform regularly Integrate music more fully in the celebration of the

Mass Expand altar server ranks Increase lay involvement in Mass (offertory, ushers,

lectors) Develop regular after - Mass socials

Develop a Comprehensive Communication Plan for the Parish and School

Creation of a St Mark Website to include all parish and school groups and activities

Expand the use of the weekly bulletin Create a welcome packet for new

parishioners Home delivery of WNY Catholic along with a

monthly print newsletter

Develop a Comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan

Develop a plan to maintain and improve church including bathroom and handicap accessibility.

Develop a plan to maintain school to include handicap accessibility.

Develop contingency plans for modest and aggressive expansion of school

Development of a Comprehensive Development Plan

Identify and qualify donors, foundations and grant agencies for appropriate levels

Continue plans for Centennial Celebration Plan for strategic alliance with Diocesan

Foundation and CSDP Develop Annual Giving Campaign for School

Alumni Develop Planned Giving Program Develop Capital Giving Program

Establish Youth Ministry Re-invigoration of CYO groups Active liaison with Scouting Organizations

Begin Succession Planning for Key Leadership Positions

Pastor Principal

Establishment of a Board of Limited Jurisdiction for the School

Implement development plan Implement FACTS system Monitor academic excellence Maintain active collaboration with Home

School Association

NUMEROUS SMALL PARISHESNUMEROUS SMALL PARISHES

Number of Households Parishes & Missions

More than 2000 24

1500-1999 19

1000-1499 32

500-999 55

250-499 55

100-249 56

Less than 100 33

Median = 450 households

Median 5 years ago = 500 households

Opportunities for Involvement

Enrollment Management Recruitment Retention Financial Aid

Marketing & Communications Website Church Bulletin Parish Newsletter WNY Catholic

Committees

Facilities (Church & School) Maintenance Long Range Planning

Development Annual Fund Centennial Planned Giving Grant Writing Stewardship

Finance

Spirituality Music

Adult Choir Youth Choir

Altar Servers Lectors Eucharistic Ministers Youth Ministry CYO Scouting Retreats and Missions Sacramental Preparation Socials


Cluster Planning

PARISH PROCESS IN DIAGRAM FORMPlanning begins with parishioners and moves to Bishop

Bishop

DiocesanCommission

Vicariate Council

Parishes and Parish Clusters

St. Mark Parish & School

TIMELINE FOR RESTRUCTURING

Nov. 2005 – Feb. 2006 March 2006 –

July 2006 Aug. 2006 -

Dec. 2006 Jan. 2007 – Dec. 2007

Parish Discernment

Cluster Meetings

Vicariate Meetings

Diocesan Commission and Bishop

North Buffalo Cluster

St. Mark St. Margaret Holy Spirit St. Rose St. Joseph (University) Our Lady of Black Rock (Invited Liaison)

REGIONAL CLUSTERS

Large vicariates should divide into planning clusters in order to devise regional proposals

Members: pastors and two or three delegates from each parish. If the parish has a school, the principal should be one of the delegates. If there is a regional school in the cluster area, the principal should attend in addition to parish delegates.

Task: Work with planning forms and propose restructuring ideas that will meet diocesan criteria.

Send proposals to the Vicariate Council. More than one proposal may be suggested as long as they are within the criteria.

RESTRUCTURING WILL NOT BE STRESS FREE

OUR BEST STRATEGY WILL BE:

Prayer Openness Dialogue Collaboration Focus on the needs of the larger church

and the values that must shape our future

Dependence on God’s grace


… the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion … for all of you share in God’s grace.

-- Philippians 1