BUILDING PARISH CAPACITY FOR MISSION
A Proposal for St. Patrick's Parish
Executive Summary
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THE SITUATION
2,000+ weekend attendance, 3 priests, strong resources
BUT: Need a way to connect people to service, need for systematic
catechesis, opportunity to develop clear shared direction
RESULT: Culture of attendance without engagement
THE OPPORTUNITY
Diocese releasing synod results in December requiring lay involvement,
catechesis, missionary discipleship. Build foundation NOW (6 weeks) to
be ready. Lay the groundwork before requirements arrive.
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THE PROPOSAL
Form team (4-6 men) to build three interconnected systems:
1. CONNECTING PEOPLE TO SERVICE
Gap: People want to serve, can't get connected
Build: Intake system, dedicated person for personal connections,
ministry directory
Launch: November 2025
Result: Personal response within 2 days, clear pathways to service
2. ADULT CATECHESIS (POST-OCIA FORMATION)
Gap: OCIA graduates adrift after Easter, ACTS participants asking "what
next?", gaps in Scripture/theology, need for spiritual formation
practices
Build: Weekly intellectual and spiritual formation program (37 weeks,
Sep-May)
Content: Scripture study, Church history, doctrine, apologetics,
spiritual practices (lectio divina, adoration), serving in the Church
Focus: Understanding WHY the Church teaches, and HOW to live it out
See detailed 37-week curriculum in separate document
Launch: September 2026 with 20-30 participants (OCIA graduates, ACTS
participants, returning Catholics)
Result: Catholics who can explain and defend their faith, and live it
deeplya
3. PARISH DIRECTION
Gap: Opportunity to develop clear shared direction that can clearly be
understood by the whole parish
Build: Team does groundwork (research, drafting), clergy partners to
shape and refine
Timeline: November 2025 - February 2026 (collaborative process)
Result: Clear shared direction co-created with clergy guiding all parish
activity
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TIMELINE
November-December 2025: Lay the foundation (systems, planning,
preparation)
Launch system for connecting people to service
Begin recruiting and personally connecting people
Begin collaborative direction development with clergy
January-August 2026: Refine systems, finalize formation curriculum,
recruit participants
September 2026: Launch weekly formation program (following academic
year)
Ongoing: Execute and refine
Note: System for connecting people to service launches immediately (November 2025)
Adult formation aligns with academic calendar (September 2026 start)
Direction development is collaborative throughout (Nov 2025 - Feb 2026)
REQUIREMENTS
From clergy: Active partnership in direction development, regular
working sessions
From team: Weekly meetings, ownership, execution through June 2026
From parish: Staff cooperation, communication support, meeting space
SUCCESS METRICS (6 months - April 2026):
→ 10+ people connected to service monthly, parish direction drafted,
formation curriculum finalized
SUCCESS METRICS (12 months - October 2026):
→ 20-30 adults in weekly formation, 20+ people connected monthly,
graduates serving
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THE ASK
Your partnership to form team and begin building NOW.
Not asking for money. Not asking for new staff. Not replacing parish council.
Asking for blessing to build operational capacity so this parish can deploy its extraordinary resources for mission.
"We have everything we need. Let's use it."
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