Our Lady of the Assumption Parish

Claremont, California

Key Strategic Issues

PARISH COMMUNITY SPIRITUALITY

· Unified spiritual enrichment program needed.

· Need for coordination of spirituality groups.

· Retreats.

· Lay leadership training.

· Liturgical focus of groups.

· Coordination of volunteers.

· More adult education.

UNITY AND DIVERSITY/ETHNIC COMMUNITITIES

· Ethnic representation on all committees.

· Focus on respect for diversity as a strength.

· Integration of cultures and appreciation of difference.

· Better coordination of different cultures and generations.

· Respect versus chauvinism.

· Isolation of different groups is problematic.

· How do we take advantage of our diversity?

· Plan for interaction but maintain the strengths of individuality.

YOUTH

· Need consistent youth leadership.

· Need commitment to practical space for youth.

· Aggressive programs for junior high and young adults.

· Tough the untouched.

· Integrated multi-cultural group.

· Commitment of resources.

· Inclusion of youth in alllevels of parish life and service.

THE POOR, MARGINALIZED AND ALIENATED

· Need for coordination of efforts to serve poor and all others.

· Need for addressing causes of poverty and injustice in terms of Gospel values.

· Awareness and communication of needs and mission.

· Reaching out to former Catholics.

· Consciousness raising in all aspects.

· Not enough resources available.

COMMUNITY

· Need for development of relationships.

· Visible presence.

· Public relations on who we are internally.

· Parish-wide/ecumenical involvement (not just leaders).

· Need for integration of Christian and civic life.

· “Catholics are leaven, not a pressure group.”

· Raising awareness of parish needs to the community.

LEADERSHIP, DIRECTION, AND DECISION MAKING

· Need for collaborative decision making with diverse representation.

· Need for role definition for all leaders.

· Need for effective pastoral council.

· Lay leadership training and empowerment needed.

· Look for model of collaborative leadership and then implement it.

· Develop a parish plan.

· Accountability for all.

CHRISTIAN SERVICES AND OUTREACH

· Needs assessment needed.

· Talent assessment needed.

· Education and recruitment of lay leadership.

· Coordination in all areas needed.

· Better publicity of programs and projects.

· Lack of meaningful hospitality.

· Increased awareness of needs of elderly, sick and dying.

PARISH ADMINISTRATION

· Ongoing training and development and evaluation of all staff, leaders, and volunteers.

· Collaboration and communication between staff and other lay leaders.

· Strengthening financial stability of the parish.

· Improvement in working condition (workspace) needed.

· Balance and relationship between paid staff and volunteers.

· Define expectations of all staff and volunteers and institute evaluation of performance.

· Know our “customers” and prospects.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

· Physical plant in disrepair and currently inadequate.

· Need for professional grounds assessment and master facilities plan.

· Need for more space for everything.

· Promotion of those needs to the rest of the community.

· Pride of ownership (parishioners/users need to take better care of parish facilities).

· Current building/grounds do not support the mission of the parish.

· Build enthusiasm for a capital campaign.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

· Need for consistent and ongoing adult education programs.

· Need for volunteer and staff training.

· Upgrading all religious education programs needed.

· High attrition rate in religious education program is a problem.

· Outcome oriented plan is needed.

· Participation of adults in programs.

· Stewardship immersion at all levels and in all areas.

PARISH SCHOOL

· Need to upgrade physical plant and equipment.

· Need to communicate and integrate overall school life with whole parish.

· Quality salaries needed for teachers.

· Curriculum reassessment.

· Define roles of school board, administration, parishioners and Archdiocese.

· Scholarships and financial aid needed.

· Tape alternative funding.

· Seek new sources of funding.

Evangelization and initiation

· Need for volunteer recruitment and training.

· Consistent follow-up and support of participants [RCIA neophytes].

· Plan of evangelization of all for all.

· Space.

· Evangelization challenge.

· Expand awareness and integration of RCIA into whole parish.

· Hospitality.

· Evangelizing disenfranchised Catholics.

WORSHIP/LITURGY

· Assess worship space and Mass schedules.

· Liturgical coordinator on staff.

· Liturgies that are not rushed but prayerful and reflective.

· Enculturation and hospitality.

· Ethnic integration of liturgy committee.

· How do we deal with shortage of priests?