PLANNING VISION STATEMENT

It is not the building, but the people that make up the church.  June 5th marks the one-year anniversary for me as administrator of St. Therese Catholic Church.  From my perspective, it has been a good year and a very fast year.  Because I believe that any new minister into a parish should spend time in observing and gathering information, very little physical change has occurred, although the social fabric of the parish is being addressed.  Is the time approaching to respond to short and long-term needs, YES, I believe it is.

 Looking ahead to the New Year, I do so with a tremendous amount of insight and ideas shared by many of you.  In addition, our parish was one of twenty in the Diocese that volunteered to offer the self-evaluation survey for the We Walk By Faith document introduced by our Bishop.  I am pleased to say many positive comments were shared through the survey as well as some very helpful thoughts on where we can improve.  Shortly after the 1st of June I would like to begin to implement a master plan that is being developed by your long range planning committee.  This plan will chart out a course over the next 3 years by identifying how we might best accommodate the present needs as well as to prepare for projected future growth.  This plan will be comprehensive in scope and will evolve in two major phases.

 The first phase will be focused on repairs and improvements in and around the Church building.  This will include necessary external repairs and drainage issues as well as sanctuary improvements.  Several attempts to correct the water-pooling problem have been made since the church was constructed 20 years ago.  The problem, however, remains with us.  The most thorough and cost-effective way to handle this is being decided now.  Within the Church sanctuary, VERY little has been done to create a fresh new look, or to make it a safer environment for all parishioners.  Tentative plans are being prepared to address both needs in the sanctuary of our Church.

 One additional component of this phase is to look at staffing needs for the future.  A clear message indicating the need to improve our Youth ministry, Parish Community Life, and Justice  and Peace programs has emerged.  During this phase we need to look at the health of all programs and write a plan for each.  It is proposed that a Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries staff position be established.  This person would be responsible for coordinating and developing all stewardship activity of our time, talent and treasure as parishioners.

 The second phase being explored is to address the space needs for offices, additional meeting and religious education space, creating a reconciliation room and a day chapel.  All of these identified needs and others that will arise can only be satisfied by creating additional building space.  It is proposed that a new building be constructed where the learning center stands.  The current offices will move to this new building.  Previously mentioned space needs will also be satisfied by this new building.  A new reconciliation room and day chapel will then move into the current office space.  In addition, the number of parking spaces available for the future will also need to be addressed.

 I am most grateful for the progress that has been made thus far in helping to shape a vision for the future for our St. Therese community.  Your long-range planning committee continues to solicit your suggestions and asks for your prayers as we move ahead to 2010 as a parish.  Thank you for the support now and as we look ahead to having this vision become our reality.

Response/Comments

We would like your input on the vision statement:

Using the guides below, please write your suggestions and/or comments on a separate sheet of paper and drop off in basket at Church or in the drop off box next to the office in the parish commons:

        The First phase: THE CHURCH BUILDING, and staffing needs:

        The Second phase: The space needs for offices etc. and parking.

        Other: