Introduction - Pastoral Planning

Introduction 7community as lived out in the Catholic parish beginsto emerge. In the introduction to their pastoral letter onadult faith formation, the U.S. bishops tell us that adoptingpractices that contribute to this vision sets the stage for acommunity of people who possess a “lively baptismal andeucharistic spirituality with a powerful sense of mission andapostolate” (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, USCCB:Washington, 1999), and are therefore ready to step out infaith. Following a scriptural piece that keeps us connectedto the ministry of Jesus and the early Church, the visionsections of this book will put you in touch with insightsfrom our Church’s documents in relationship to our sevenprinciples.After developing a vision, we examine and ExploreSuccessful Practices. Embracing the vision of each principleleads us to develop corresponding practices for our parishcommunities. Therefore each chapter includes successfulpractices used by parishes as they step out in faith. Sometimesit is helpful to learn from the experiences of others whoshare a common vision. The practices are provided as a wayof “priming the pump” for the development of your ownpractices.Lastly, the book concludes with a process dedicated toShaping Parish Life. Once you have acquired or developedyour understanding of this vision of the parish as acommunity of disciples and stewards, you will be eager tohelp your parish begin or continue to embrace the principlesfound within this book.The only way to affect growth or to develop strategiesthat will benefit your parish and its members is to take thevision that you will acquire here and let it guide you asyou put a plan into place. You can read this book knowing