Qualities of Authentic Catholic Parish Life
Diocese of Reno
After the
family, the Parish is the focal community of Catholic Life.
It is the place that the first incorporation into the Body of Christ is
sacramentalized: that the key
events of life, union, death and resurrection are celebrated. There are other proposed alternatives and substructures, yet
the parish remains the central reality in the lives of most Catholics.
In short, the parish is the local community, to which the parish and
diocese collaboratively must give its full and undivided attention to fulfilling
their common purpose: to continue
the Mission of Christ.
It is from the parish that the Proclamation of the Gospel goes forth.
“The parish exists not for itself, but for the Mission of Christ.
And so people are called forth to minister to one another in the parish
community, as well as to those around them where they live and work.”
(NCCB) “Although there
will be some changes in how we staff our parishes, it is my commitment to
provide quality pastoral care for
the culturally diverse Catholic population of Northern Nevada.”
(Bishop Phillip F. Straling)
The following qualities and criteria are taken from the NCCB statement on
the parish and The Parish Visitation Guide.
1.
Evangelization, Conversion and Catechesis:
To evangelize and to catechize is the call to
awaken, nurture, and develop the hunger for God in one another and to journey
with each other as we grow in our relationship with God as Catholic Christian.
(Rom. 10:14-15) (Lumen Gentium 17; Apostolicam Actuositatem 6)
Criteria:
·
Faith,
Ideals, traditions are passed on to the next generation.
·
Opportunities
for adults to explore and discuss their faith.
·
Outreach
to all ethnic groups, to the marginal, alienated, and unchurched (those with no
church affiliation).
·
Ongoing
opportunities for adults to develop their spiritual life.
·
Outreach
to and faith development opportunities for adults to develop their spiritual
life.
·
Outreach
to and faith development opportunities for youth/young adults.
·
Family
focused sacraments and faith development programs/processes.
·
RCIA
·
Retreats,
Days of Prayer
·
Marriage
preparation
2.
Pastoral Care:
To provide quality pastoral care for people is the
call to be compassionate, to be a healing presence, to share and appreciate our
stories of pain and joy, struggle and triumph, conversion and new life.
(Matt 25:35-41) (Gaudium et Spes 26)
Criteria:
·
Presence
and care to the homebound, sick and dying, imprisoned.
·
Ministry
to those in grief because of death, separation, divorce, etc.
·
Care of
elderly
·
Pastoral
counseling and spiritual direction
·
Care of
Nursing Homes
·
Anonymous
Groups
3.
Community Life:
To recognize and foster within the community is the
call to develop relationships with one another and to reach out with hospitality
and to the stranger. (John 13:35)
(Gaudium et Spes 32)
Criteria:
·
Welcomes
newcomers to the parish.
·
Opportunities
for parish renewal.
·
Effective
communication and networking within the parish.
·
Parish
social events: coffee & donuts,
picnics.
·
Ethnic,
cultural, and family diversity is recognized, appreciated, accepted and are a
source of enrichment.
4.
Worship:
To celebrate worship is a genuine and heartfelt
response to the Lord’s invitation to gather together, hear the Scriptures
proclaimed, and share one bread, one cup. In
doing this, we remember how Jesus’ life, death and resurrection from the
pattern of our lives. (I Cor.
11:23-26) (Sacrosanctum Concilum 2)
Criteria:
·
Sunday
worship is a high point in parish life.
·
Proclamation
of the Scriptures and homily are challenging.
·
Builds
community and inspires people to service.
·
Worship
experiences are prayerful, welcoming and challenge people to grow.
·
Awareness
and appreciation that the liturgy is a celebration we do together:
music, liturgical ministers, are and environment, symbols.
·
Liturgical
ministers include men, women, youth, elderly, ethnic groups.
·
Cultural
sensitivity is reflected in Parish Worship.
5.
Training and Support for Ministry:
To release and develop the gifts among us for
ministry is the call to build up the faith community to empower each one to live
out their baptismal commitment and to share the gifts we have been given. (I Cor.
12:4-6) (Apostolicam Actuositatem 28-33)
Criteria:
·
Support
and participation in diocesan leadership/ministry programs:
catechetical formation, scripture studies, pastoral formation, liturgy
formation programs.
·
Parishioners
gifts are recognized and called to the service of the parish community; all
cultures and ages are invited and supported.
·
Proper
support, training, empowerment and enrichment of all those involved in ministry:
professional, volunteer.
6.
Reach Out to the Larger Community:
To reach out to the civic community for social action
and ecumenism is the call to be light and leaven in our local world; it is the
call to make a difference beyond ourselves. (Matt 5:13-16) (Gaudium et Spes 4, 25, 29)
Criteria:
·
Involvement
is Social Issues in a manner that promotes justice and peace.
·
Parishioners
respond to people in need in the surrounding community:
the powerless, the underemployed, the unemployed, the homeless, the
elderly, gangs, victims of domestic violence.
·
Promotion
and development of ecumenical relations.
·
Outreach
to the poor and oppressed, and empower them to improve their quality of life.
7.
Stewardship and Administration:
To share our time, talent and money is the call to
sue and share God’s gift to us so that together we can care for our community
and respond to the many urgent needs of our time. (Gaudium et Spes 69, 70)
Criteria:
·
Annual
budget and finance report is presented to parishioners.
·
All
parish personnel are aware of the terms and conditions of employment.
·
The
parish is planning for its future.
·
Pastoral
finance councils are developed and effectively functioning.
·
Shared
responsibility, collaboration, and consultation and decision making are
experienced in the parish.
“Through a diocesan-wide, parish-based process, our goal is to be critically aware of our needs…so that we can make right plans and choose the best actions for the year 2000 and beyond. We must plan for the future so as to provide quality pastoral care.” (Bishop Phillip F. Straling)
October 1, 1995