Working Together How to Create Joint Ministries with Nearby Parishes

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1 Our Presenter Lorene Duquin Writer, author, and lecturer Worked in parishes and on a diocesan level Coordinator of Come and See Since 1992 active in ministry to alienated Catholics Conducted lectures and workshops in parishes and at national and diocesan conferences in US and Canada Her articles have appeared in a variety of secular and Catholic publications When a Loved One Leaves the Church, Recovering Faith: Stories of Catholics who have Come Home, Grieving the Loss of a Loved One, Could You Ever Come Back to the Catholic Church? Lorie and her husband, Richard have four adult children and five grandchildren Working Together How to Create Joint Ministries with Nearby Parishes Why do you want to work with other parishes? 1

2 Some Reasons for Wanting to Work Together Pastors are friends. Parish can t meet all of the needs. Parish can t afford to do it alone. Parish twins with city and suburbs. Parish is being linked or clustered. Parish is being closed or merged. Advantages of Working Together Doing things that can t be done on your own Catching people who fall through the cracks Eliminating duplication of effort Meeting new people Learning new ideas and skills Saving money Creating a positive image in the community What are some of the things parishes can do jointly? 2

3 Reaching out to people going through some difficulty. We don t know who they are. We don t want to interfere. We don t know what to say. We don t have time. We give them bad information. We assume everything will work out. The people we often miss Grieving the death of a loved one Going through a family difficulties Applying for an annulment Coping with serious illness Dealing with some life crisis Some Ideas for Joint Pastoral Ministry Bereavement Support Group Ministry to Divorced or Separated Help for people seeking annulments Ministry to seriously ill Ministry for caregivers Ministry to help with life crises Outreach to fallen away Catholics Working for Social justice 3

4 Joint Sacramental Ministries Mass Schedules Penance Services RCIA Confirmation Marriage Preparation Adoration Schedule Devotions Joint Religious Education Catechist training Religious Education Classes Vacation Bible School Field Trips Adult Education Scripture Study Lectures, Concerts, Missions, Special Events RCIA Joint Ministry to Specific Groups Youth Ministry Young Adult Ministry Young Married Couples Parent Groups Men s & Women s Groups Empty Nester Groups Social and Sports groups 4

5 Joint Outreach Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen Clothing Ministry Home Repairs & Maintenance Building projects Ministry to the Sick and Homebound Respect Life Projects Challenges to Working Together Parochialism Power Fear Logistics Finances Resentment Do you still want to work with other parishes? 5

6 Questions Comments Submit questions to Lorie. Just type them in the Q&A box at the top of your screen and click ask. Working Together: How to Create Joint Ministries with Nearby Parishes is sponsored by Getting Started Select a needed ministry or project. Write a proposal. Talk to your pastor about the idea. Ask your pastor to talk to the other pastors. Set up a meeting with a few interested people. Develop a plan for implementation. 6

7 Pray for Guidance. Recruiting Additional People from the Parishes to Help Ask the pastors & staff for names. Personally invite. Set up a preliminary meeting. Define what needs to be done Make sure people from each parish understand exactly what they are expected to do. Be clear about the time commitment. Explain how volunteers will be trained. Set up a good communication system to keep people informed. 7

8 Training Volunteers Listening skills Technical information Making referrals Praying with people Support and Affirm Continue to offer spiritual guidance and training. Let people know that they are appreciated. Make participating in joint events fun. Emphasize cooperation rather than competition Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in new directions. Keep Up the Good Work! Evaluate your progress. Make good communications a priority. Encourage new ideas. Be open to change. Invite new people to help. 8

9 Celebrate Your Success Be grateful for the opportunity to build the Kingdom of God in your own community. Questions Comments Submit your questions to Lorie. Just type them in the Q&A box at the top of your screen and click ask. Lorene Duquin address: 9

10 Working Together: How to Create Joint Ministries with Nearby Parishes is sponsored by Upcoming Webinars 2 nd Tuesday of every month $49.00 per computer connection For a complete 2010 schedule, log onto: under the Stewardship Products & Services tab Become a fan on Facebook! Log onto: OR Just log onto Facebookand search for Our Sunday Visitor Stewardship Services 10

11 Thank you for joining us today. Please help us by filling out the evaluation that will be ed to you shortly. 11