February 2007

 

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

 

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) would like to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on our recent activities and plans. First, we want to thank everyone who has dedicated their time and effort to the Council and to the parish commissions.  Nothing could be accomplished without the tireless work of these dedicated parishioners.  Yet, we are still in need of more members for the PPC and the commissions. As you read this update, please ask yourself, “Could I help?” “Could I make a difference?” We hope that through the prompting of the Holy Spirit, you might hear a resounding “Yes” to both questions, and will call the Rectory to get involved. You are needed.

 

The current officers for the PPC are Gary Bouchard as Chair, Sue Welsh as Vice-Chair, Mary Testa as Corresponding Secretary and Maura Flood as Recording Secretary. Please feel free to contact these individuals on any matter regarding the Council.

 

A final draft of the Strategic Pastoral Plan for the term 2007 – 2010 will be approved within the next few weeks.  The previous Plan was highly successful in setting goals and objectives for our parish.  With valuable input from the commissions, the next Plan will further clarify how the parish will meet some of the opportunities and challenges of the next few years.

 

The PPC and the Pastor rely on the parish commissions to do much of the important work in implementing and sustaining the Pastoral Plan.  Each commission has done an exemplary job; their recent activities are summarized below:

 

The Liturgy Commission plans to continue the Taize evening prayer series that was so successful in the last Advent season.  Through their leadership, the diocesan planning meeting for liturgy and music will be held at St. Matthew’s. They have recommended a liturgical “sending out” of the Eucharistic ministers from the altar during the 9 am mass.

They are currently looking for ways to educate the parish to participate more fully in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

The Hospitality Commission is continuing to seek new ways to develop a more welcoming parish. They have begun to coordinate a series of well-received “town hall” style parish meetings.  These meetings provide a means to inform the parish of pressing issues and to discuss concerns of parishioners that might otherwise go unheard.

 

The Stewardship Commission continues the New Parishioner Welcome program on a quarterly basis. They plan to schedule vestibule greetings by the different organizations in the upcoming weekends.  They are also coordinating the update of brochures for all of the parish organizations and commissions to place in the Ministry Rack.

 

The Education Commission has begun to focus on a comprehensive marketing plan for St. Matthew School. This plan will improve communication at all levels and continue to enhance the quality, understanding, awareness, appreciation, and image of the school in current students and students we seek to serve in the future.  They also plan to develop a School Advisory Board that will be charged with developing a strategic plan for the school.

 

The Evangelization Commission is planning to offer home visits to any new or established parishioner who would like to experience their faith and the fellowship our parish on a more personal level. The commission coordinated a successful Bible donation project which netted 33 Bibles for our sister parish, La Asuncion Parish of Perth Amboy.

They are also looking into adult catechism programs which they hope to offer to family members of children involved in the religious formation program, among others.

 

Current initiatives of the Facilities Commission include strategic planning, and the commission is seeking input from parish organizations on what they think the parish will need in the near future regarding facilities.  They are also looking into a new sign replacing the one on Plainfield Avenue.

 

The Parish Pastoral Council exists to help the entire parish meet its mission: to bear witness to the Gospel through stewardship, hospitality, and service. We encourage you to join us if you can.  If you are unable to join us, please remember the PPC and the commissions in your prayers.

 

May God bless you and your family, and the family of Saint Matthew the Apostle Church.

 

Sincerely,

Gary Bouchard

PPC Chair