1. COMMUNITY: We are a warm and welcoming Catholic Christian community in which all are invited to belong and participate fully.
    
   1. We aspire to create a vibrant parish life that promotes the involvement of and connects parishioners from all life circumstances
      1. More fully understand parishioners' needs and interests by family and life circumstance so that opportunities of potential benefit to them can be developed and offered.
      2. Use a targeted approach to educate parishioners regarding parish resources and opportunities.
      3. Implement personal appeals to increase parishioners' involvement in Parish activities and ministries.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08
      • Seek feedback from youth and those involved in youth ministry concerning how the parish activity center could serve the needs of youth
      • Develop methods for capturing attention of fallen away Catholics at special ceremonies in the church, i.e. weddings and funerals. Work to design impact message cards to be placed in pews and used at these events.
      ACTIONS FOR 2008-09
      • Design the parish activity center based on the needs assessment of youths
   2. We each share responsibility for effective, open, honest communication with all Parish members, Staff and Clergy.
      1. Continually secure the "voice of the Parish" so that we improve our understanding of how best to meet the needs of all Parishioners.
      2. More fully encourage, act upon and quickly provide feedback to those who provide Parish representatives with suggestions and ideas.
      3. Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for the Parish, and add, delete, and change communication vehicles for optimal effectiveness.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Raise level of awareness and participation in parish website by moving forward on Phase 2 of the website upgrade. Develop a communication strategy for the parish that fully utilizes the internet to reach more parishioners on a frequent basis. Examples would be, reflection of the day, inspirational quotes, teaching moments, Sunday scripture readings, upcoming events, special link for youth, etc.
      • Encourage youth to be involved in the development process of the website.
      • In order to enhance communication,
        1. Revise and expand the Parish Bulletin,
        2. Include Pastoral Council biographies and pictures in the monthly newsletter, Impact
        3. Add September issue of Impact to focus on opportunities to get involved at SJF, leading into the Ministry Fair.
      • Establish a protocol for publicizing and promoting events at St. John Fisher.
      • Continue a formal communication strategy with the aim to optimize awareness of Parish activities and involvement, including Mass attendance
      • Share the Pastoral Plan goals that are set out to be accomplished by the Pastoral Council and Parish Staff with the parish at large.
      • Communicate accomplishments and implement an effective feedback process that allows parishioners to answer the question, "How are we doing at SJF?"
      • Schedule future gatherings for Pastoral Council and Pastoral Staff. Continue to encourage excellent communication and cooperation between council and staff to better implement the Pastoral Plan.
      ACTIONS FOR 2008-09:
      • Design an administration building that facilitates cooperation and coordination among the various offices of the parish
   3. We strengthen and unify the St. John Fisher community through a personal commitment to common goals and objectives.
      1. Fully communicate the SJF Mission and its implications, and provide guidance to help Parishioners support and achieve our mission.
      2. The Priests, Staff and ministries will review progress against our mission on a regular basis and make plan corrections as needed.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • As a parish community, continue to support Campaign 21, and encourage participation for those that have not already done so.
    
2. WORSHIP: We unite in worship and prayer centered in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
    
   1. We foster active, conscious and full participation in Sunday Mass.
      1. Provide the means to encourage a greater understanding of and participation in Sunday Eucharist.
      2. Enhance the practicality of Sunday homilies for value in the daily lives of Parishioners.
      3. Provide accommodations at Mass as best as possible to help make Sunday Eucharist more fulfilling to those with practical needs.
      4. Continually request feedback from Parishioners regarding their fulfillment from Sunday Mass.
      5. Recruit more participants in liturgical ministries (e.g. Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, choir, ushers, greeters etc.).
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Design a worship space in the new Church conducive to full active participation
      • Design the sanctuary in the new Church in such a way that makes it wheel-chair accessible to the handicapped
   2. We enrich our faith through understanding and celebrating the Sacraments.
      1. Increase Parishioners' knowledge and participation in each of the Sacraments in addition to Sunday Eucharist.
      ACTIONS for 2007-08:
      • Encourage Parishioners to receive Eucharist and Reconciliation regularly
      • Provide resources that augment Parishioners' understanding of each Sacrament.
   3. We continually renew our devotion to God through individual and communal prayer.
      1. Develop for Parishioners the clear meaning and importance of prayer.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Design the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the new Church in a way that creates a climate for silent reflection
      • Design a section in the new Church for public devotional prayer
      • Recruit parishioners who would study scriptures and attend Liturgy Planning Team meetings (Monday at 10:30AM) in order to get more input when planning weekly liturgies.
    
3. WORD: We grow in our faith based on Scripture and Catholic Tradition.
    
   1. We cultivate our enthusiasm for the Word of God through lifelong study and reflection.
      1. Make an unwavering commitment to the implementation and success of the RENEW program from 2004 – 2006.
      2. Continue to foster existing and new Scripture study.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Promote participation in individual and group Scripture study
      • Encourage participants of RENEW and other members of the parish to integrate into Christian Life Communities, (CLC's). Select a few members of PC to join a Steering Committee for CLC's.
      • Encourage all members of PC to become involved in a bible study or faith sharing group.
   2. We understand Catholic Church Tradition, and can explain and promote the Catholic faith.
      1. Provide the means for Parishioners to know and value the Traditions of the Catholic Church.
      2. Promote the value of Catholic education.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Develop programs to educate the parish on procedures of mass, to enhance the mass experience for both those currently attending regularly and those who attend occasionally.
      • Continue to increase enrollment in Parish School, Religious Education classes, RCIA and Adult Education.
   3. We choose to live daily with purpose and meaning.
      1. Expand participation in faith communities in addition to Sunday Mass.
      2. "Live the homily" each week.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Encourage Parishioners to incorporate the homily message into their actions and dialog during the week
      • Continue to encourage all parish organizations and committees to incorporate "First Fifteen" into their meeting agendas.
    
4. SERVICE: Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we express gratitude for our many gifts, and faithfully share them in the service of God.
    
   1. We reach out to serve those in need within and beyond the Parish.
      1. Develop a comprehensive plan and program for youth ministry, which includes plans to support parents in raising their children in the faith.
      2. More fully understand demographic trends related to the aging of the Peninsula residents and its projected impact on SJF Parishioners.
      3. Continue to expand ministry activity in service of poor and homeless, and of parishes in poor neighborhoods.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Support both seniors and youth in our parish with programs to involve both demographics. Encourage exchanges between both generations to share experience of the past and hope for the future. Help the Director of Evangelization with ideas and implementation of future program.
      • Encourage the youth who are currently involved in the PC to develop ideas and suggestions to better serve the needs of the youth in our parish.
      • Support the youth ministry by encouraging more volunteers from the parish.
      • Look for ways to get more participation from parents of youth in parish.
      • Ask PC members to get involved with youth programs.
   2. We promote understanding of Catholic teachings on social justice.
      1. Encourage Parishioners to be socially conscientious citizens.
      2. Develop an education plan to address social justice responsibilities.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Assist volunteer ministry coordinator to continue to support the reestablished Peace & Justice committee.
      • Bring social justice to the attention of every parishioner.
      • Ask PC members to get involved in helping build up new committee.
   3. We responsibly use the human, physical and financial resources that God has entrusted to us.
      1. Foster an awareness and conscious appreciation of our blessings and promote their proper use in all aspects of Parish life.
      2. Coordinate Parish resources and activities such that major Pastoral Plan initiatives can achieve optimal effectiveness.
      ACTIONS FOR 2007-08:
      • Develop a PC recruiting committee for upcoming year and have a year-long recruiting process for new candidates.
      • Encourage Current PC members to have greater presence at Masses and church functions, including wearing name badges at church.

Read the entire Pastoral Plan