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ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE INFORMATION PLANNING COMMISSION HANDOUT 1 of four

VIBRANT PARISHES — T HRIVING BRANCHES eople often ask if their is on track. Good enough? PGoing in the right direction? The ultimate measure of parish vitality is how well the community carries out the mission of . Jesus Christ came to us, God-made-man, with a mandate to transform the brokenness of our world with love. We are united with him through to further his mission. Jesus Christ accomplished his mission through the first century Jewish community in by his preaching, teaching and his rela- tionships to people. He prayed and worshipped as he served those in need. The parish is vibrant, on track, going in the right direc- tion to the degree that its life corresponds to the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Not all vibrant parishes will look alike. Central city parishes will carry out the mission of Jesus different- ly than rural or suburban parishes. But all thriving parishes will focus on the mission of Jesus Christ. ministry along with evangelization, family life, youth and young adult ministry, vocational and ecumenical/interfaith ministry. The • By the virtue of baptism, describe Ministry of the Word takes seriously the universal call to holiness how we are in relationship with God and empowers people to look at themselves as part of the image and each other. of the vine and branches. It helps them appreciate racial and cul- tural diversity. They are helped by their life experiences to see A vibrant parish reflects the image of the vine and the branches. God’s presence, name that presence in terms of the tra- As a community it is grafted to Jesus Christ, the dition and act accordingly. Building community, proclaiming the and through Christ connected to other parishes across the arch- message, leading to prayer and serving are intimately integrated diocese, the nation and ultimately the world. The archdiocese is into the Ministry of the Word as well as the Ministry of Worship a microcosim of the universal . The Church is made up and Service. Various committees of the school and parish exert of many archdioceses and dioceses locally lead by and leadership in the area of Ministry of the Word and assure that the . The universal Church is led by the of ministries are well executed. Rome, the , in the name of Jesus Christ. Leaders of mis- sion-focused communities regularly examine their goals and • Describe how we as a parish are actively priorities and prune what is no longer needed to strengthen engaged in evangelization, and what is necessary. the affirmation of the giftedness of racial and cultural diversity. In reality what does that mean? Let’s look at four main ministries one by one. Most ministries are rooted in community and fall • How well are we helping people of all ages within the following categories: Word, Worship, Service. A sup- to understand the scriptures and the teach- porting ministry for all of these is the Ministry of Administration. ings of the ?

The Ministry of the Word consists of all the teaching and forma- The Ministry of Worship embraces all the sacramental and tion ministries of the Church. The Ministry of the Word is rooted prayerful celebrations in the life of the parish. The celebration of in the Scriptures and proclaims them in both educational and the is the source and summit of Christian life where the prayer contexts. Catechesis and Catholic schools fall under this community’s faith life becomes ever-more conscious and active.

ADDRESS: PHONE: FAX: E-MAIL: WEBSITE: 3501 S. Lake Dr., PO Box 070912, Milwaukee, WI 53207-0912 414-769-3378 414-769-3408 [email protected] www.archmil.org ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE PLANNING COMMISSION Number one of four handouts

The Eucharist needs to be celebrated in such a manner that all ditions. That is to say, parishes are to be advocates for justice and truly participate. The parish leadership realizes that for sacra- peace. Good parish service or human concerns ministry builds ments to be celebrated effectively, there needs to be planning and community within and beyond the parish. adequate preparation. • How do we demonstrate a preferential Part of the Ministry of Worship option for the poor, acknowledging our also includes devotional own poverty, brokenness and limits? celebrations such as novenas, devotions to Mary, Eucharistic • How do we share resources, educate for devotions, Liturgy of the justice, provide outreach services and col- Hours, such as Vespers, etc. In laborate with others to offer significant the Catholic Church there are options to assist those who suffer because of poverty, illness or isolation? hundreds of these devotions. No one parish could sponsor all of them. Ethnic and regional prayer Vibrant parishes have well- celebrations are all part of the Ministry of Worship. developed leadership structures Well functioning Prayer and Worship committees are needed for and administration. and vibrant parish liturgies and prayer celebrations, with the emphasis staff know their roles and are on the communal aspect of the celebrations. The community highly competent in executing becomes the as it gathers for Eucharist, receives them. In today’s Church we the Body of Christ at Communion and goes forth as the Body of need to become accustomed to Christ to love and serve . Music and art have a special a variety of ministers, not just place in liturgy. The arts need to be appropriately incorporated the priest, and share with them into the parish prayer life and reflected in the budget. both our needs and our talents. The parish council understands • How are parish leadership groups united its role as advisory, as well as in Eucharist and mission, and nourished policy setting. The committees contribute to policies and are to serve? often “hands on,” working for the betterment of the parish. Some samples include committees for prayer and worship, buildings • How will we celebrate Eucharist in light of and grounds, human concerns, school, Christian formation, com- the diminishing number of priests? munication, development, stewardship, finance, planning and personnel committees. All these committees make valuable con- The Ministry of Service is rooted in Christ’s own life and teach- tributions to a vibrant parish community, pruning what needs to ing and is reflected in . This message is go and growing what needs to exist. preached during the homilies, is taught in catechetical and school settings and is celebrated at Eucharist. Service is seen to be a When the faithful gather to proclaim and hear the , constitutive element of and needs to be incorporated become and share the Body of Christ, celebrate the mysteries of into all aspects of ministry. our faith and become empowered to serve, the Ministries of Word, Worship and Service become one. The vibrant parish is Vibrant parishes often have or contribute to the following service truly a vine intertwined with other vines tightly knit to the larger or human concerns ministries: St.Vincent de Paul Societies, branch—the living Church—the living Christ. respect life activities, food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters for the homeless, parish nurse ministry, bereavement ministry, post This is the first of four information pieces to help you understand abortion ministry, ministry to the homebound, and jail and hospi- the need for and process of the planning underway in parishes tal ministry. All these ministries and many more flow from and throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 2003. are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Inherent in that teaching is the need not to only provide direct service to those who are less fortunate through poverty, illness, ignorance, etc. but also to work hard to eliminate the systems that cause the abhorrent con- Supported by the Catholic Stewardship Appeal

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