Section 3. Parish
Mission, Vision, and Goals
Mission Statement
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish is a diverse Roman
Catholic community empowered by the Spirit of God, formed by His Word, and
nourished by the Eucharist.
We are called to bear witness to the Gospel through
stewardship, hospitality, and service.
Adopted
by the Pastor and Leadership Conference
April 2000
Vision Statement
Recognizing that the world is ever changing, Saint Matthew
the Apostle Parish will remain a steadfast witness to the Gospel message of
Jesus Christ -- a haven of justice and peace that is continually responsive to
the spiritual, educational, and social well being of its parishioners, the
local community, and the Diocesan Church.
Goals
·
Liturgy and Worship - Saint Matthew the Apostle
Parish is dedicated to making liturgy and worship the center of its parish
life.
·
Hospitality -
The people of Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will provide a hospitable,
charitable, and sharing environment so that all are welcomed as Christ.
·
Stewardship -
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish, acknowledging that God has gifted us all,
will provide opportunities to responsibly share these gifts for our spiritual
enrichment and for His greater glory.
·
Education -
Rooted in the Gospel message, Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will nurture the
spiritual, moral, and intellectual formation of all.
·
Evangelization - Saint Matthew the Apostle
Parish will share its blessings by living and proclaiming the Good News of the
Gospel.
·
Facilities
- Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will support its mission with facilities
that are comfortable, accessible, adequate, and functional.
Section
4. Nourishing
an Enduring Culture of Collaborative Pastoral Ministry and Leadership
Jesus not only called people
to Him, but also formed them, and sent them out in His service. [Matthew 10:5]
The
Basic Guidelines for Parish pastoral
councils in the Diocese of Metuchen note that:
The parish
pastoral council is a forum, which allows the parish leadership to collaborate
in fostering pastoral activity… as a unified endeavor, which focuses on … liturgy,
education, social services, evangelization, family life, communications,
administration, ecumenism, stewardship and other important aspects of parish
life.
Between
the conclusion of the inaugural plan in 2005 and 2007, the Commissions and
their liaisons to the Parish Pastoral Council were very successful at providing
new and unique leadership opportunities for communication, planning, and
consensus building among many different parish groups.
Section 5 Goals, Objectives and Strategies
I. Liturgy and Worship
Goal: Saint Matthew
the Apostle Parish is dedicated to making liturgy and worship the center of its
parish life.
Objective 1 Understanding the
Liturgy
The Liturgy Commission, through the coordinating
efforts of Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will implement an education program
that will lead parishioners to a fuller, more conscious, and active
participation in the liturgy. This will be done primarily through homilies, but
simultaneously through a series of lectures and workshops.
Rationale
The liturgy is the Work of the People, with the
congregation as participants and not spectators allowing us to experience the
deep love of God and the challenging call of Christ. It also provides us with the unique opportunity to enter fully
and honestly into an authentic relationship with God.
Strategies
Through its Liturgy and
Worship Committee the parish will:
1.
Continue
to educate the parish in the Church’s liturgical rites, providing instruction
and explanation in the ongoing changes to the liturgy, as well as reinforcing
established practices.
2.
Provide
on-going essential ministerial training and formation for all ushers, lectors,
altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, music ministers, and sacristans.
3.
Assess
and evaluate liturgical seasons, sacramental celebrations, and other liturgical
events, in collaboration with the Pastoral Staff, under the guidance of the
Pastor or his delegate.
Objective 2 Improved
Worship Space
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will improve its
worship space by making it a more inviting, inspiring, liturgically
appropriate, and commonly accessible space in which to celebrate the
sacramental rites of the parish. Among
the issues to be addressed will be sacred liturgical vessels, art, and the
environment and furnishings of the sanctuary.
Rationale
Our worship space communicates the transcendence of
God and the intimacy of the community gathered to celebrate the gifts and
graces of Jesus Christ. Its appearance
and atmosphere should be dignified and edifying; giving praise to God.
Strategies
Through its Liturgy and
Worship Committee the parish will:
1. Evaluate
worship space and make suggestions for improvement. For example, making Church sanctuary accessible to those who are
physically challenged and providing a more effective liturgical space for the
music ministry.
2. Examine
the action of the assembly, including ritual movement and gesture, in order to
foster a greater personal-communal experience for all. For example, encouraging parishioners to
interact and greet each other in the narthex, as a means of transition from the
street to the sacred space.
II. Hospitality
For
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a
stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and
you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. (Matthew 25:35)
Goal: The
people of Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will provide a hospitable,
charitable, and sharing environment so that all are welcomed as Christ.
Objective 1 One Faith, One Family
The Hospitality Commission, through the coordinating efforts of Saint
Matthew the Apostle Parish, will continue to foster bonds of faith, unity, and
generosity among its parishioners and guests so that all feel welcome and no
one is ever turned away.
Rationale
Acknowledging that its diverse members are of one family, the parish
will regularly sponsor programs and services that support these bonds of
fellowship and unity so that no one is ever a stranger, so that special needs
are accommodated, and so that all feel welcome at the parish.
Strategies
Through its Hospitality Committee
the parish will:
1. Plan,
train and implement a ministry.
Ministry of Hospitality that is separate from parish ushers to act as
greeters, town criers & make visitors and parishioners feel welcome at all
liturgies and other parish events.
2 Appoint
a volunteer parishioner to the position of Advocate for the Disabled.
3. Plan
a yearly volunteer appreciation event honoring all volunteer work done
throughout the parish.
4. Coordinate
parish organizations to sponsor bi-monthly opportunities for fellowship after
several Masses.
5. Create
a forum for Parish Community to voice opinions, ideas and Parish issues.
Objective 2 A
Public Sign of Christ’s Presence
Saint
Matthew the Apostle Parish will be a sign of Christ’s presence in the local
community through its public and private collaboration with others in service
to those in need, and in a common search for justice and peace.
Rationale
Christ’s ministry was a public one; therefore, the parish will bear
public witness to His message by consistently advocating for justice and peace
and for the rights of those who are vulnerable, poor, lonely, hungry, and
disenfranchised.
Strategies
Through its Hospitality
Committee the parish will:
1.
Work with
other denominations in the local community and with the Diocese of Metuchen on
advocacy programs for the vulnerable, poor, lonely, hungry, and disenfranchised
so that the public’s awareness remains high and committed to their support.
2.
Strengthen
efforts to work with the civic authorities to promote harmony, understanding,
and tolerance within local community.
3.
Foster volunteer service ministries for homebound parishioners
needing transportation to healthcare appointments, lawn care, food shopping,
tax preparation, and similar services.
III.
Stewardship
There
are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different
forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same
God who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some
benefit. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
Goal: Saint
Matthew the Apostle Parish, acknowledging that God has gifted us all, will
provide opportunities to responsibly share these gifts of time, talent, and treasure for
our spiritual enrichment and for His greater glory.
Objective 1 Increase Awareness
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish
will fortify our existing Stewardship effort to help our parishioners
understand the value of Stewardship as a Way of Life.
Rationale
“Stewardship is a complete
lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility acknowledging God
as Creator and owner of all. Stewards,
as disciples of Jesus Christ, see themselves as caretakers of all God’s gifts.
Gratitude for these gifts is expressed in prayer, worship, offering, and action
by eagerly sharing these gifts out of love of God and one another” ever
conscious of its (the Stewards’) duties and obligations toward future
generations. (National Catholic
Stewardship Council, 1993)
Strategies
The Stewardship Commission,
through the coordinating efforts St.
Matthew the Apostle Parish will:
1.
Encourage parish staff and volunteer leaders to lead by
example by fully embracing the discipline of stewardship.
2.
Sensitize parishioners to the sacred value of vocations so
that, beginning with home life, the young men and women of our parish see
religious life as a worthy life-long calling.
3.
Collaborate with the School Principal and Director of
Religious Formation to develop co-curricular programs about Stewardship for
Saint Matthew School and the parish Religious Formation Program.
Objective 2 Increase
Participation
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will have 35 percent of its
parishioners participating in ministry and/or service; sharing their time and
talent with our parish and local communities.
Rationale
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards
of God’s varied grace.” (1Pt 4:8-10) Because the world comes from the creative
hand of God, the Christian recognizes that the goods of creation exist to serve
the needs of all. Stewardship is
responsible management of our God-given resources. It enhances our relationship with God and one another.
Strategies
Through its Stewardship Committee the parish
will:
1.
Encourage
rotating terms of service for liturgical ministers and parish organizations to
allow for new opportunities and new members.
2. Assist
parish organizations and ministries with the recruitment of new members by,
among other approaches, maintain a parishioner talent bank.
3. Provide new and current
parishioners with information and service opportunities during individual
registration meetings, New Parishioner Welcome, and through an annual
Stewardship Renewal Weekend.
Objective 3 Increase
Financial Generosity
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will continue to educate its
parishioners about the value of intentional, planned and prayerful giving,
based on the individual’s need to give out of a spirit of gratitude for what
God has given me.
Rationale
As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them
responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with
increase to the Lord. Applying the Church’s suggested tithing formula of five
percent of income to the parish and five percent to other charities, “Everyone
must give according to what he has inwardly decided.” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Strategies
Through the coordinating efforts
of its Stewardship Committee the parish
will:
1.
Regularly
supply parishioners with information about the value of sacrificial giving.
2.
Encourage the
use of children’s envelopes as a way of learning the value of sacrificial
giving.
3.
Increase by
10% annually the number of parishioners who use envelopes.
IV. Education
Give ear, O my people,
to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth…Tell to the coming
generations the glorious deeds of the Lord…. (Psalms 78:1,4)
Goal: Our
Catholic Schools are a vital part of the teaching mission of the Church. The Parish Community of St. Matthew the
Apostle is encouraged at every level to support our Catholic School so as to
nurture the spiritual, moral and intellectual formation of our children.
Saint Matthew School
Mission
Statement
Saint
Matthew School prepares each child, Pre-K through Grade 8, to achieve his or
her full moral, spiritual and intellectual potential in a safe and nurturing
Catholic environment.
Objective 1 Implement a Comprehensive Marketing /
Communication Plan
Rationale
A coordinated marketing/communication program will benefit the parish and the
school by communicating to the parish and the community at large a positive
image, a climate of stewardship, accountability to stakeholders and a Catholic
Christian mission which unifies parish and school.
Strategies
1. Develop
a school marketing/communication plan. This plan shall promote Catholic
education, namely academic and co-curricular programs, demographics, and all
programs and events that enhance the quality, understanding, awareness,
appreciation, and image of St. Matthew School in the minds of the students it
currently serves, and those we seek to serve in the future.
2. To
coordinate with parish organizations to form a consolidated approach to the
parish and community at large so as to utilize the collective wisdom of the
members of our Church and the society in which we live to be successful in this
measure.
3 Communicate
to the parish and community at large a Christian mission unifying parish and
school. The future Catholic education
depends upon the entire Parish community embracing wholeheartedly the spiritual
concept of stewardship of time, talent, and treasure, and translating
stewardship into concrete action.
Objective 2 Create A School Advisory Board
The Parish Community of Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will remain
committed to providing through Saint Matthew School a Catholic education
program in an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community
in Christ is experienced, service to our community is the norm, and
thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated that is reasonably priced and of
the highest academic quality.
Rationale
It is important that Saint Matthew School operates at optimal enrollment
and financial conditions; and that it delivers a high quality Catholic
education where faith and culture are intertwined in all areas of the school’s
life. The Saint Matthew School Advisory
Board will represent the interests of the parish and provide expertise to the
pastor, the school principal, and the faculty. Their central role will be to
provide reasonable, researched and relevant advice consistent with the primary
mission of the parish and the subsidiary mission of the school, to the pastor
and the principal and to monitor the overall performance of the school.
Strategies
1. Collaborate
with the Diocese of Metuchen,
Department of Education, to develop
guidelines for a School Advisory Board for Saint Matthew School that
will provide insight and direction for all school operations, services, and
programs.
2.
Identify potential candidates for the School Advisory Board. Along with the
pastor and school principal, the Board shall include, but will not be limited
to, representatives with teaching and
administrative experience and skills in either public or private primary and
secondary education, general business administration, finance, and law and
should reflect the diversity of the parish. Representatives with these experiences and
skills may also come from the school faculty and from parents whose children
attend the school.
3. Assign to the School Advisory Board the
task of developing a 5 year strategic plan to better address the
challenges of Catholic education – namely remaining focused on the Church’s
education mission, ensuring adequate formational opportunities for teachers and
parents, and maintaining adequate enrollment.
This strategic plan shall include, but not be limited to, key areas of
school life, such as Catholic identity, enrollment, facilities, finance,
development and marketing programs and the role of St. Matthew’s School in the
community.
V. Evangelization
Preach
the Gospel always…use words whenever necessary. (St. Francis of Assisi)
Goal: Saint
Matthew the Apostle Parish will share its blessings by living and proclaiming
the Good News of the Gospel. The
spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings
to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of
sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year of
favor in the Lord.
Objective
1 Promote
Catholic moral and social values by enthusiastically living our baptismal
promises and freely sharing our Faith with others.
Rationale
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will seek to renew the
faith commitment of every Catholic household and promote Catholic values of
faith, family, and community in all our ministries. Further, it will work to
create and support social ministries that will enrich all people in all
situations, especially those in need, and actively support social justice
issues for the vulnerable and unborn.
Strategies
Through the
coordinating efforts of the Evangelization Committee the parish will:
1.
Foster an experience
of conversion and renewal of faith in every believer and non-believer through
existing or newly-created retreats, parish missions, charismatic renewals,
Engaged Encounters, Marriage Encounters, communal prayer, and Eucharistic devotion, and small faith communities.
2.
Provide occasions for sharing of Scripture and other spiritual
literary works.
3.
Offer
opportunities for education and catechesis for adults and children, including
religious formation programs.
4.
Develop a volunteer
program and talent bank which will offer spiritual, personal, social, and
financial counseling to those in need.
5.
Saint Matthew the
Apostle Parish will coordinate through one designated full-time staff person,
having appropriate levels of religious formation training and related
administrative experience, all parish religious formation programs for
children, youth, and adults and will provide opportunities for life-long
learning in the Catholic faith.
Objective
2 Provide
Opportunities for active Faith participation
Rationale
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish values community
involvement as an expression of its Christian faith.
Strategies
Through the coordinating efforts of the
Evangelization Committee the parish
will:
1. Increase
the participation of all individuals and parish organizations in existing
outreach programs including food pantries, shelter assistance, Social Ministry,
Right-to-Life, Crop Walk, Youth Famine, soup kitchens, and Habitat for
Humanity.
2. Engage in ecumenical
activities committed to the common good.
Objective 3 Expand methods of proclaiming the Good News
Rationale
Regular and effective communications promote a sense of
community and a common understanding of our faith in action. Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish will
regularly promote effective communications that highlight its faith-based
philosophy and programs to the alienated, hospitalized sick, institutionalized,
unchurched, young adults and other believers and non-believers with unique needs.
Strategies
Through the coordinating efforts of the
Evangelization Committee the parish will:
1. Create
a Parish outreach program that expands to include home visits to newly
registered and inactive parish families and other interested individuals and
families
2. Place
parish brochures wherever people may be seeking community and worship with us
including realtor offices, hotels, and local community colleges.
3. Reach
out to new residents, regardless of faith affiliation, through a neighborhood awareness
program.
4. Use
local media such as radio stations, campus, local, and diocesan newspapers to
share with the community information about the programs and services available
at Saint Matthew the Apostle Church.
VI. Facilities
“For we know that if our earthly house of
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God.” (2Cor 5:1)
Goal: Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish
will support its mission with facilities that are comfortable, accessible,
adequate, and functional.
Objective
1 Develop facilities plan to address adequate
space for all organizations and staff to do the work of the Lord.
Saint Matthew the Apostle Parish
will increase the availability of social, recreational, and workspace for
organizations.
Rationale
Saint
Matthew the Apostle Parish has over 50 active organizations and continues to
grow. It is critical to our mission
that adequate space is provided for the ministries to spread the Word of the
Lord.
Strategies
Through its Facilities Committee the parish
will:
1.
Create an
inventory of
