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Week 6: STRATEGIC GOALS
(How we give flesh to our Vision, high level strategy for multiple years)
Our Strategic Goals are what we are aiming for in the next 2,5,10 years. They speak to our desired results for our whole Strategic Planning process. In our stated Goals we also identify the means we are going to use to accomplish our desired results. I’m going to address our Second Goal and its means first. #2 GOAL1 – To create a Sustainable Church – What does “sustainable” mean? According to Webster it means “ being able to maintain something at a certain level” and/or “being able to defend or uphold a particular interest”. Thus to uphold and sustain our Parish and Oratory we have to have strong internal structures that allow us to be effective and efficient. We need to have a sound financial basis through which we maintain our campuses. We need trained and capable leadership who are committed to proclaiming and living the Gospel. It means we have various up-to-date methods of communication that keep us all connected and informed. This is why the Work Groups on Facilities, Finances, Communication, Leadership and Staffing have been working for months to research Best Practices in all of these areas and what practices might work best for us. Following our Discernment process, we will start implementing the recommendations that will best serve us in becoming a Sustainable Church.
Goal #1-To create a Vibrant Church– What does “Vibrant” really mean? According to www.vocabulary.com “vibrant” means “full of energy and enthusiasm, full of spirit”! And isn’t that the kind of Church we want to be? We want to live out the example of the apostles and disciples at Pentecost who changed the world with their passionate commitment to the Good News of Jesus Christ! Thus the Work Groups on Liturgy & Worship, Faith Formation & Spiritual Development are researching current practices to strengthen and build on the programs we already have in forming disciples. Parish Council and Ministries of Charity are looking at ways to engage our parishioners and potential parishioners in a deeper way. We will continue to serve our neighbors in multiple ways through our Ministries of Charity and hopefully find new ways to coordinate our efforts with the many other organizations in our area so that we are all Stronger and more Vibrant together. Our Strategic Goals are intended to make real our Vision for 2029. We are striving to live out our Baptismal call to Discipleship in ever more meaningful ways. We are working and will continue to work toward being a more Sustainable and Vibrant Faith Community. Thank you all for your commitment to these Strategic Goals!
ST. MALACHI PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES, 06/04/24
ST. MALACHI PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 4, 2024, 6:30-8:30 PM, PARISH MEETING ROOM
Opening prayer- Jan Durkalski
Judy Slivka- Welcomed and introduced the newly elected members of St. Malachi Pastoral Parish Council who will serve starting in July: Kathy Burke, Sister Lizette Hoevel, Terry Jungquist, and Ed Shemo. Jan Durkalski, Judy Slivka- Explained plans for upcoming Collaborative Steering Committee Town Hall presentations on June 12 and 19. Chair person Judy Slivka strongly urged all Council members to attend both sessions. On Wednesday, June 12, attendees will receive a packet with an information sheet from each Work Group. The documents will cover the research and discernment of each Work Group to determine their recommendations for moving forward. In the presentation portion, each Work Group will provide an 8- 10 minute explanation with slides of their recommendations for consideration for Fr. Gurnick. The June 12 presentation will be video recorded and posted on both Parish websites. Parishioners who cannot attend the June 12 presentation are encouraged to watch the recording prior to attending the next session on June 19. On Wednesday, June 19, the Town Hall format will allow parishioners to ask questions and provide their thoughts and opinions regarding the recommendations. The concerns and comments will be considered by the Work Groups as they prepare for June 29 when they present their final recommendations to the Fr. Gurnick, the CSC, and all work group members. Fr. Gurnick- Provided further information and updates on the CSC process and timeline. CSC Work Groups will have a meeting on Saturday, June 29 to share their updated recommendations with Fr. Gurnick after which the Work Groups will disband. Fr. Gurnick will continue to study the recommendations and consult with both Parish Councils, staff, groups and individuals in late July, into August. There will be an additional Town Hall meeting for all parishioners in September.
Cathy Graham- Reviewed ‘Chats with Council’ held following Mass on Sunday, May 12, 2024 to listen to
concerns from parishioners regarding concerns and consensus about Oratory status. Council members
shared the feedback and concerns that they heard from parishioners. Cathy shared questions that parishioners posted in surveys. Council members will continue to host ‘Chats with Council’ each month and be available to parishioners to listen to questions and concerns.
Judy Slivka- Led a discussion regarding a carryover of current Parish Council leadership and members
through August 2024. This action will provide continuity following the summer break as St. Malachi may
have adjustments to make in the fall. New members will join the Council at the August meeting when we
will use the process of prayerful discernment to select new leadership.
Margaret Armstead- Songs for the Soul Music event is scheduled for June 22, 2024 starting at 12:00 PM> Thee band has been scheduled, equipment is rented, advertising and flyers are being distributed. Volunteers are still needed Saturday morning and throughout the day. Her contact information is in the bulletin.
– Margaret also shared her experience of her week long retreat in Tanzania! She had the privilege of traveling for 10 days with Sister Jane Nesmith, SBS, and director of African American Ministry for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Margaret met with Bishop Lazarus Msimbe of Tanzania, visited five seminaries, several parishes and schools, an orphanage, Mikumi National Park, and other points of interest. Margaret has so many wonderful stories to share so PLEASE COME TO COFFEE HOUR and CHAT WITH COUNCIL on SUNDAY, JUNE 30, 2024 following 10:00 AM Mass.
Fr. Gurnick- Administrator’s Report
-Updated PC on rectory and property, sale is moving through the legal process. Office space construction on the second floor of the school is proceeding.
-Malachi Center has a new director, Nate Cross. The Malachi Center board is assessing their present and
looking at their mission in the future. The roof repairs are continuing. The Cleveland Diocese is creating the lease agreement stating that St. Malachi will officially be the landlord of the Malachi Center building.
-Bridgeworks construction should begin in August or September. We have contacted our city councilperson to discuss traffic concerns.
Closing prayer- Judy Slivka
Respectfully submitted, Jan Durkalski ,Secretary, St. Malachi Pastoral Parish Council
Attention St. Patrick and St. Malachi Engaged Couples, Upcoming Events
Our next Date with Fr. Gurnick is on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the Cleveland Museum of Art from 1:30pm until 4:30pm.
Our next Theology of Marriage 101 is being offered on Saturday, August 3, at the Rectory from 12noon until 2:30pm. A light lunch is provided for participants.
Please rsvp to Mary Gagen at mary.gagen@stpatrickbridge.org or by calling 216-631-6872. These two sessions are intended for any couple being married in August 2024 through early 2025. Our next Date and Marriage 101 events will be offered in late autumn.
WEEK 4: MISSION STATEMENT (OUR VALUES)
The Values that the CSC identified as part of our Organizational Strategic Alignment Values define how we want to live and act as disciples of Jesus Christ. Each of these phrases carries a great deal of weight and meaning in our call to Discipleship. Here are some beginning reflections on how we might live out these values- please add your own! Revitalizing our Church– How do I give new life to my Parish? Do I convey positive energy and hope to others? Renewing our Faith– Do I nurture my own life in the Spirit? Do I ask for and practice the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Welcoming All– What would it be like for me to walk into St. Pat’s or St. Malachi’s for the first time? How would that feel? What would I want/need? Respecting All– In this Age of “Erasing” people who think differently than I do, how do we create a culture that gives due regard to others’ feelings, rights, wishes? Do I realize that I can learn a great deal from people who think differently from us? Serving All– Following Jesus’ example at the Last Supper, do we offer a smile to a stranger, speak a consoling word to a distraught person, offer to help a person who seems lost or confused? The Washing of the Feet can take many forms. We just need to be open and alert to the many needs we see around us. These are the Values that we aspire to live out in our daily lives. If we ACT with these Values in our hearts and minds, others will hopefully say, “WOW! Look at those Disciples!!!”
2-Day Town Hall Meeting – 6/12/24 & 6/19/24
JUNE 12
6:30 -8:30PM
COME HEAR ALL 8 WORK GROUPS PRESENT THEIR DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS TO PARISHIONERS
ACTIVE PRAYER-GUIDED LISTENING SESSION FOR HOME-BASED REFLECTION
THIS SESSION WILL BE RECORDED AND SHARED FOR FURTHER VIEWING
JUNE 19
6:30 -8:30PM
HAVING VIEWED THE MEETING ON THE 12TH (IN PERSON OR FROM THE RECORDING)
BRING YOUR QUESTIONS TO ADDRESS EACH WORK GROUP INDIVIDUALLY
GROUPS WILL HAVE A TABLE READY TO LISTEN TO PARISHIONER QUESTIONS
OPEN HOUSE FORMAT
BOTH MEETINGS WILLBE HELD AT THE ST. MALACHI LOWER HALL DUE TO AVAILABILITY OF AIR CONDITIONED SPACE
Songs for the Soul Concert 6/22/2024 Noon-3PM
Join us on Saturday June 22, 2024 from Noon to 3PM in St. Malachi’s Parking lot for Song for the Soul Concert. Volunteers welcome! For more information: Margaret Armstead at 216.450.4605 or margaretarmstead493 @gmail.com.
Special Chat with Council, 05/11 & 05/12/24
On the weekend (May 11th and 12th) Parish Council members will be present after each Mass to listen to members share their thoughts about St. Malachi becoming an oratory. At our June council meeting we will be discussing the status of the parish and the best option for the long term viability to continue our ministry. We are seeking members to come and share either after Saturday at 4PM Mass in the church or at coffee hour on Sunday. If you are unable to attend, please consider offering input by completing this form https://bit.ly/FutureSMP
Sunday, May 19, 2024 – Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM
Due to the Cleveland marathon- In the event that runners and road closures are still affecting entrance to St. Malachi, passes are available at the doors of the church. Show the pass to the traffic guard; however, there will be delays in crossing, depending on the time and number of runners passing by. Avoiding the West Shoreway is recommended.
Parish Collaboration
“We are vibrant Catholic Communities, unique and united, passionately committed to urban parish renewal.”
This ONE sentence took hours and HOURS to create! In retreat in Jan.2024, the Collaboration Steering Committee (CSC) wrestled with “Where do we want to be in 5,15,25 years?” “What is our IDEAL of what our joint presence on the Near West Side (NWS) can be?” After much soul searching, word-smithing and many revisions we came to rest and feel gratified with the Vision statement above.
Let me break it down phrase by phrase to show you why!
- “We are VIBRANT….” The Vision is to be a “WE” – fully alive, growing, active, Intergenerational.
- “Catholic“-WE are part of the Universal Catholic Church with all the connections, complications and communion that implies.
- “communities – INTENTIONALLY plural, we recognize that both campus communities have already been present for a LONG time. But we are developing a deeper relationship with each other that can strengthen and enrich us both.
- ”Unique and United…” This was straight from the Holy Spirit! We struggled for quite some time with – “How do we express that, as we join forces, we want to preserve each community’s unique history, personality and gifts as we create something new?” I went to the bathroom and when I came back, this phrase was on the board! Praise God!!!
- ”passionately committed to urban parish renewal…”. Each member of the CSC on retreat wanted to convey the love and dedication our parishes have for the NWS. We wanted to say “We are staying in the Name of Jesus Christ!”. “We will make this work whatever it takes for the people of the NWS!”. “This is too important to not succeed!” The passion for our Mission was and is alive and well!
And, as we continue to create our future, we want to be a light and resource for other urban parishes! We can share from our hard-earned experience! VISION takes imagination, creativity, hard work and wisdom , among other things! And we are both humbled and grateful for our Vision!
With God’s Grace, let’s make it happen!!!
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