College Church 2020 Strategic Plan

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE CHURCH: FINAL PLAN, November 2, 2014

St. Francis Xavier (College) Church Mission Statement:
We, the members of St. Francis Xavier College Church, form a welcoming Jesuit parish community. As followers of Jesus Christ, we praise God, love our neighbors as ourselves, celebrate liturgy and the sacraments, engage in lifelong formation and proclaim God’s reign of justice, mercy and peace.

VALUE STATEMENTS
St. Francis Xavier College Church values:

Jesuit Identity: Embracing the spirituality, mission and leadership of the Society of Jesus.

Eucharist: Praying together, celebrating Eucharist and the other sacraments with reverence, dynamic Preaching and inspiring music.

Social Ministry: Living God’s message of love, compassion and mercy through our commitment to justice and service.

Unity in Diversity: Building and fostering a community unified to live as the Body of Christ and to proclaim God’s reign of justice, mercy and peace.

Stewardship: Giving, with generosity and gratitude, our talents and financial support to ensure that our parish fulfills its mission.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE CHURCH VISION STATEMENT . . .

TOWARD 2020
A diverse and welcoming community gathers to celebrate the greater glory of God in a prayerful, joyful spirit. The community is fully engaged and generously contributes time, talent and treasure to support its mission and ministries.

The community deepens, strengthens, and nurtures the faith of all parishioners through lifelong formation. Children are shown the first steps in their journey with Christ through exceptional religious education; parishioners are given opportunities to expand their understanding of current theology and spirituality; and RCIA participants are provided a path to Christ.

Parishioners generously participate in social ministries and service. The community coordinates outreach to the poor and is strongly devoted to social advocacy and public policy changes that advance its mission.

The community is thankful for collaborative partnerships with the Society of Jesus, Saint Louis University, and many other organizations and celebrates God’s love through reaching out to all.

GOAL STATEMENTS
I.     To strengthen liturgy as the core of our parish family.

II.    To build a loving and caring community.

III.   To foster lifelong faith formation rooted in gospel values and Ignatian spirituality.

IV.   To build up more effective and comprehensive works of charity, justice, and                             peacemaking.

V.    To promote our ministry to and with young adults.

VI.   To deepen our commitment to responsible financial stewardship.

VII.  To develop a positive culture of servant leadership.

VIII. To establish new partnerships and improve collaboration with other organizations.

GOAL & OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS

Scriptural Reflection for Goal I
“And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him.”
Luke 24: 30-31

 I. To strengthen liturgy as the core of our parish.

A. Promote full, conscious and active participation of all parishioners in liturgy.
B. Invite, encourage, mentor and train parishioners as liturgical ministers.
C. Provide opportunities for children and youth to increase participation in liturgy.
D. Preach consistently about the importance and meaning of evangelization.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal II
“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life-for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us-what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1-3

II. To build a loving and caring community.

A. Increase a sense of belonging to the St. Francis Xavier College Church community.
B. Increase the size and diversity of our parish community.
C. Establish a Parish Life Commission.
D. Improve communication between and among all parishioners on matters impacting parish      life.
E. Implement regular activities that integrate all ages.
F. Deepen the commitment to being welcoming and hospitable.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal III
“And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor with God and people.”
Luke 2:52

III. To foster lifelong faith formation rooted in gospel values and Ignatian spirituality.

A. Develop, implement and evaluate adult faith formation activities by strengthening the Adult Formation Commission.
B. Strengthen and promote the religious education programs for children, youth and families.
C. Help parishioners share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal IV
“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me teacher and master, and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” John 13:12-15

 IV. To build up more effective and comprehensive works of charity, justice, and peacemaking.

A. Provide many and varied direct service opportunities that help parishioners connect charity and justice.
B. Offer pertinent education and formation on Catholic Social Teaching, the Social Ministry of the parish and Catholic social justice issues.
C. Increase parishioner involvement in faithful citizenship.
D. Discern the establishment of a 501(c)3 organization to coordinate the office of Parish Social Ministry outreach.
E. Live our faith in a way that transforms our corner of the world.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal V
“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers . . . And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”
Acts 2: 42, 47

V. To promote our ministry to and with young adults.

A. Appoint a volunteer young adult coordinator.
B. Develop a comprehensive and sustainable ministry plan to and with young adults (22-35+).
C. Collaborate with St. Louis University (SLU) Campus Ministry.
D. Draw young adults into friendship with Jesus Christ by befriending them.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal VI
“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
Matthew 6:21

VI. To deepen our commitment to responsible financial stewardship.

A. Establish a Development Commission.
B. Educate and form parishioners in a comprehensive understanding of stewardship.
C. Ensure the financial sustainability of our parish.
D. Provide accurate, timely and transparent financial reports for internal and external                  audiences.
E. Update or renovate current parish facilities as appropriate.
F. Help parishioners understand the direct impact of their financial contributions in living out the call to holiness.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal VII
“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 Cor. 12: 4-7

VII. To develop a positive culture of servant leadership.

A. Align the roles and responsibilities of the councils, commissions, committees and staff in        light of the new parish plan.
B. Ensure that parishioners have a clear understanding of how the parish is structured and          how it works.
C. Recruit and form leaders for various parish ministries.
D. Convene regular leadership training and development sessions for council, commission,        committee members, and staff.
E. Investigate the feasibility of hiring a volunteer coordinator.

Scriptural Reflection for Goal VIII
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Luke10:1-2

VIII. To establish new partnerships and improve existing partnerships with other organizations.

A. Strengthen the existing relationship with the Central & Southern Province of the Society of      Jesus.
B. Collaborate on specific projects with St. Louis University in areas of common interest.
C. Enhance existing partnerships and add others to further our mission.
D. Collaborate with ecumenical and interfaith communities in the St. Louis area for purposes      of dialogue and common action.