PARISH SELF STUDY REPORT
 
 

ST. ISAAC JOGUES OF VALLEY FORGE

50 WEST WALKER ROAD

WAYNE, PENNSYLVANIA  19087

"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.  Unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep vigil"       Psalm  127:I

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS
 
 

LETTER FROM PASTOR

ST ISAAC JOGUES MISSION STATEMENT

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS DURING SELF STUDY

PARISH STRENGTHS / RESOURCES

FOCUS

OBJECTIVES

PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS

TIME TABLE

HOW YOU CAN HELP

ST. ISAAC JOGUES PARISH SELF STUDY

                                  May 1997

Dear Parishioners:

St. Isaac Jogues Parish and all the parishes of the Archdiocese were commissioned by Cardinal Bevilacqua to do a Parish Self-Study as part of the Archdiocesan Renewal Program. With this Self-Study, the spiritual, educational, liturgical and service life of each parish was to be reviewed. The strengths, weaknesses and recommendations raised 'ui each of the themes of Worship, Christian Community, Evangelization, Teaching, Service, Leadership and Stewardship were to be examined, addressed and put into action respectively.

When did our Self-Study begin?

Since January 1996, the Parish Pastoral Council has been diligently working on our Parish Self-Study. Each theme in the study was reviewed with the input from questionnaires of parishioners who had been randomly selected.

What materials did the Pastoral Council use?

Each member was given the yearly Pastoral Report made to the Archdiocese which contains information about the parish. The Council had the Financial Reports of the parish and the results of questionnaires of St. Isaac Jogues parishioner opinions, processed through Villanova University. They also reviewed surveys taken from St. Isaac's Parish Ministries and Organizations.

Where are we now?

Our Self-Study has been completed and the Final Report has been compiled. As had been required of each parish, a copy has been sent to the Vicar of Chester County, to the Archdiocesan Office for Research and Planning, to the pastors of our cluster parishes - St. Monica, St. Norbert, Our Lady of Assumption, St. Patrick and most importantly to you.

What's next?

The goals, objectives and recommendations set forth in our Self-Study Report have to be put into action on our parish level, our cluster level and on an archdiocesan level. Since the founding of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in 1970, many events, activities and changes have occurred. Throughout all of these, there has been one constant - the dedication of the parishioners of St. Isaac's Parish to God, their parish, their families and their neighborhood. It is this dedication that is St. Isaac's greatest strength and this dedication that will carry us as a community of prayer, worship and service into the twenty-first century.

We ask for your continued prayer, that we will have the strength, the insight, the wisdom and the courage to do what is needed for the good of our parish family.
 
 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Joseph C. Cunningham

and the Parish Pastoral Council

MISSION STATEMENT

OF ST. ISAAC JOGUES PARISH

We, the faithful of St. Isaac Jogues Parish, in communion with our Holy Father, shepherd of the universal Church, and our Archbishop, shepherd of the Church in Philadelphia, proclaim to everyone the Good News that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world, who offers to all who follow Him the light of life.

Baptized into Christ Jesus and confirmed by the gift of the Holy Spirit, we desire to share this Light with all by proclaiming the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation to everv person.

We are one in our Church's teachings and in the variety of the gifts, services and ministries that we employ to help build up the Kingdom of God. We therefore commit ourselves to:

* WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH through "prayer without ceasing," and particularly through the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments of the Church;

* CREATE AND NOURISH CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY in the domestic church of the family, in the life of every parish, and in society as a whole;

* PROCLAIM IN WORD AND DEED THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CRUST to all persons, uivitmg each of our sisters and brothers in the human community to share our faith and our mission;

* TEACH THE SAVING MESSAGE OF CHRIST so that all believers may come to deeper understanding, conversion and personal witness to Christ;

* SERVE ALL OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS, particularly the poor and needy, by generous acts of charity and by working together with all people of good will for justice and peace.

We pray to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate Conception, to whose care the Archdiocese is consecrated, and through Saints Peter and Paul, the Archdiocesan patrons, and through St. Isaac Jogues our patron. May the Lord of Light guide us in our earthly journey and to our heavenly home.
 
 

PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS DURING THE PARISH SELF STUDY

Rev. Msgr. Joseph C. Cunningham, Pastor

Dr. Robert Kokat, Facilitator

PARISH STRENGTHS / RESOURCES

The following Strengths/Resources were identified as the Parish Pastoral Council studied the themes of Worship, Christian Community, Evangelization, Teaching, Service, Leadership and Stewardship.

Worship

1      Pastoral leadership

2.     Facilities and maintenance

3.     Availability of worship

4.     Laity involvement / support

5.     Schedule of Masses

6.     Perpetual Adoration

        7.     Spirituality of parishioners 

 
Christian Community

1.      Leadership, Monsignor Cunningham,  Parish Staff, Pastoral Council

2.     Ambiance/environment of parish

3.     People of parish community

4.     Diversity of programs

5.     Opportunities from worship for community interaction

6.     Social events/a time for community to share/interact

7.     Sharing ministry --- St. Vincent dePaul Clothing Drive, St. Malachy's, St.  John's Hospice, Pro-Life, Mother's Home

8.    A lot of happy faces around the parish

9.    Children involvement at Liturgy

10.   Involvement/interest of people from surrounding parishes

11.  We make an effort to have each person feel valued.

12.  Easy access for disabled people.

 
 

Evangelization

1 .   Homilies encourage parishioners to live and share their faith.

2.   Diversity in guest speakers

3 .  Our priests exude goodness.

4.   Aesthetics and availability of Blessed Sacrament Chapel

5.   Music

6.   Open to opportunities

7.  Special Liturgies (Confirmation, Communion, Baptisms, Holy Week)

8.  Prayerful environment

 

Teaching

1. DRE leadership

2. Enthusiasm, staff

3. Program variety

4. Resource commitment

5. Dedication

 

Service

1.   Very dedicated people

2. Variety of opportunities for people to do things

3. Cooperating Pastor

4. Service to the poor

5. Chapel and Library -- visible signs of service

6. Visit the sick

7. Give service and call people to service

8. New innovative ways of responding to needs -- career placement, volunteer pool

 

Leadership

1. Effort on all parts to develop continual working relationships

2. Pastor and staff fulfill leadership roles

3. Opportunities to share leadership

4. Sufficient qualified personnel to conduct programs

5. Effective Pastoral Council

6. Proper organization, on-going education & evaluation of Parish Pastoral Staff

 

Stewardship

1      Group of very generous contributors

2. When asked parishioners give more, i.e., 2nd Collection, Jubilee Celebration, Mssions

3. No debt

4. Active participation in special activities and ministries

5. Spirit of good will

6. Fine use of resources

FOCUS

T'he kingdom of heaven, the reign of God is now. We must focus on these words and act now. Through Baptism and Confirmation, God has given us all the gifts we need to do all those things that one would do in heaven. We may never reach the full potential of these gifts until we are spiritual be'mgs unloosed from this physical journey. But that is the challenge, not an encumbrance! If one thinks deeply about it, Christ has taught us how to live. That is the essence of the Gospel, the Good News. There is only our perception of a wait for heavenly envirotunent in which we will do "heavenly things." Think about it! Why does Christ tell us that it is easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to gain heaven? It is because during our lives, we may be so focused on the temporal, the material that we do not focus on the "heavenly," Christ-like things we are capable of doing. Somehow we will do those things tomorrow or we will only do them to a fashionable or less than to the "widow's mite" degree. Remember, one does not merit heaven. God gives us salvation when we strive to reach our potential, our potential to love.
 
 

As St. Paul tells us, love is not a word, it is many acts, many behaviors: patience, sacrifices caring, courtesy, trust, mercy,- compassion, generosity, gentleness, etc. That smile, that hand up, that alrnsgiving, that welcoming, these are acts of love that we can practice everyday. Greater love hath no man than to give up everything for his friend. And who is my friend? Who is my brother and who is my sister? Everyone! The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. The black person, the red and the yellow and brown. The Russian, the Chinese, the Afiican, the Latino. -The Jew, the Protestant, the Muslim. All of these are our brothers and sisters in our sweet Lord, Jesus Christ.
 
 

So while we think about our parish self-study, let us do a personal self-study to see if we are truly striving to achieve our potential of loving as Christ has taught and commanded us. Let us remember that we must cooperate with the gifts and graces of God in this life because we cannot wait until heaven to please God. The reign of God is now.
 
 
 

ST ISAAC JOGUES OBJECTIVES

To intensfy, enkindle and deepen our love, honor and praise of God as a  Catholic Christian Community. -Objective 1

To amplify our efforts to reach out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all those with whom we share our lives. -Objective 2

To improve the coordination of effort and the methods of communicating good works and activities between and among members of the Parish Community. -Objective 3

To heighten our awareness, promote our responsibilities and increase our participation as a parish community in the areas of Christian Service. -Objective 4

PARISH PRIORITIES & GOALS

FOR THE NEXT THREE TO FIVE YEARS

Obiective 1.

To intensify, enkindle and deepen our love, honor and praise of God as a Catholic Christian Community.

Scriptural Base:

     "All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one's need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

(Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2: 44-47)

Issues Addressed:

• Depth of congregation participation in involvement in Mass and all Liturgies with a lack of enthusiasm to music and liturgical responses
• The fact that people come late and leave early causes distractions and decreases focus and attention to the Mass.
• The size of the St. Isaac Jogues painting conflicts with the liturgical focal point of the church, the altar, and overshadows the Crucifix.

Recommendations:

Institute a Teaching Mass to encourage appreciation and a greater knowledge of Holy Mass, centered around the Eucharist, foster reverence and punctuality, and energize and educate music involvement.

Offer a Retreat Day/Ministry Day for all those serving in ministry and parishioners at large.

Evaluate and discuss the overall need for a Liturgy Committee.

Find a new location for the St. Isaac Jogues painting.

Course of action:

• A Teaching Mass is on the Agenda for 199 7- -date pending.
• Install signs regarding the late arrival and early leaving issue in Church and place notices in the Parish Bulletin.
• Offer a Retreat Day/Ministiy Day.
• Implement ongoing education in the Parish Bulletin and in the proposed Newsletter concerning Liturgies and issues concerning our Catholic faith.
• Relocate the St. Isaac Jogues painting.

Objective 2.

To amplify our efforts to reach out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all those with whom we share our lives.

Scriptural Base:

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

(Mark 16:15)

Issues Addressed:

• The lack of knowledge and understanding as to the what, who and how of evangelization.
• Parish Boundaries have caused the perception of unchristian spirit for individuals who wish to fully become parish members and are unable to do so.
• Past experiences of hurts and misunderstandings involving the clergy or church policy.

Recommendations:
 
 

• Recognize that everyone is called to evangelize, promote existing programs to educate ourselves, then develop additional programs to contact and drawback inactive Catholics as well as to introduce others to our faith.
• Encourage those who are currently serving in ministry to become more aware of the importance of their roles in evangelization.

Course of action::

• Promote existing programs through weekly inserts in the Parish Bulletin, contact through Religious Education students, Lector's Highlights, proposed Newsletter and the Parish Handbook.
• Encourage more members in various ministries and organizations by continuing with our annual Christian Service Day and distribute a new Parish Handbook that will remain available all year and offered to new parishioners.
• Institute an Evangelization Committee and begin with inactive Catholics (Landings)
• Introduce the Year of Evangelization with a skit presented at all  Masses performed by the children of the parish.

Obiective 3.

To improve the coordination of effort and the methods of communicating good works and activities between and among members of the Parish Community.

Scriptural Base:

       "To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes."

(Corinthians 12:7-1 1)

Issues Addressed:

• The need to publicize and promote the goals and purposes of the parish in a more pronounced manner.
• There is a lack of communication of the service rendered by individuals, organizations and ministries.
• Difficulty in communication within the parish with current means of communication

Recommendations:

 

Create a Parish Newsletter to be published four times per year mailed directly to all registered parishioners. This publication should include information on:

Timely parish events, spiritual programs, religious education programs and events and financial aspects of parish life.

Information concerning the Social Action Committee which includes Career Network, Operation Food Pantry and services rendered to our parishioners and community at large.

1. Ongoing outreach programs, e.g. St. Malachy's, St. John's Hospice, St. Vincent DePaul

Simplify and qualify goals of the parish.

Course of action:

• Investigate all aspects of publication of a Parish Newsletter.
• Have a contest for parishioners to name the Newsletter.
• Present a skit that is a lighthearted interpretation of the goals of the parish.

Obiective 4.

To heighten our awareness, promote our responsibilities and increase our participation as a parish community in the areas of Christian Service-

Scriptural Base:

     "In generous spirit pay homage to the Lord, be not sparing of freewill gifts. With each contributionshow a cheerful countenance, and pay your tithes in a spirit of joy. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, generously according to your means."

(Sirach 35:7-9)

Issues Addressed.

 

• Priorities, time restraints and extracurricular activities cause stress and overburdening of individuals resulting in limited parishioner involvement.
• Societal pressures on farnflies have fostered apathy within the parish. Lack of perceived areas of need and the unwillingness of parishioners to share their individual needs.
• Unwillingness of many parishioners to develop, share and become involved in areas of stewardship related to Time, Treasure & Talent.
• The need to provide spiritual and financial support to enable every parent to consider and afford a Catholic Elementary School education

Recommendations:

 

• Develop ways people are called to individual personalized service and encourage enthusiasm among those who are already giving service.
• Call people to learn about and foster involvement in justice and equality issues.
• Increase the membership of the Hospitality Ministry (greeters at every Mass) and other parish ministries and organizations.
• Provide diversity of opportunity for people with special needs. Institute a Catholic Preschool, develop a CYO Sports Program, and continue to develop programs for Adult Education.
• Pray for, support and encourage all parents in their Christian obligation to their children including Catholic School education when and where possible.
• Promote and encourage leadership by clerical and lay involvement in programs designed to bring people back to the faith.
• Introduce a Tithing Program and educate parishioners on stewardship and develop a Stewardship Conunittee that will promote leadership and participation among the people in Time,Treasure and Talent.

Course of action:

• Reinstate the Appreciation Dinner.
• Recognize individuals in the Newsletter.
• Form a Justice & Peace Committee to educate and implement ways for parishioners to become involved.
• Look for a Hospitality Coordinator and more people to serve as greeters.
• Develop programs by working within our cluster for people with special needs,, e.g. widowed, divorced, separated, handicapped.
• Get zoning approval and plan to open a Catholic Pre School (September 1997), develop a CYO Sports Program, ongoing Religious Education with Sunday morning and evening classes for adults.
• Include  in intercessions a Prayer for Parents.

TIMETABLE
 
 

Course of action to Achieve Our Goals

Archdiocesan Effort: A major concern and issue needing to be addressed by the Archdiocese is that Parish Boundaries have caused the perception of unchristian spirit.
 
 

HOW YOU CAN HELP..

(YOUR PARISH ACHIEVE THE PARISH SELF STUDY OBJECTIVES)

One of the recognized strengths of the St. Isaac Jogues Parish Family is the dedication of its volunteers who have continually embraced the Spirit of Stewardship.

T'here is room for everyone in the many and varied ongoing Christian Service Ministries, Programs and Organizations, as well as those planned for the filture. Your participation is encouraged for their continued success.

You are invited to join your parishioners and neighbors in their continuing efforts of giving glory and honor to God.

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(Please cut off and place in any collection basket or bring to the Rectory Office.)

CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Yes, I would like more information conceniing the following:

_____I would especially like to help the parish in achieving its objective of________________ ________________as indicated on the timetable.

Name___________________________Telephone___________________ Date___________

 
Our Prayer

T'his past year we came to know our parish in a different light.   Instead of seeing our parish as we have on a day to day basis with all its beauty, both physically and spiritually, we took a deeper look at what makes our parish so unique through the Parish Setf Study. Through this Study, we have recognized our strengths and weaknesses. We have come to see what makes this parish so special and what makes us stand out among the crowd, yet realizing where improvements may be needed to help us grow closer as a parish family.

With our Parish Self Study at a close, we look to the Holy Spirit for true guidance in our understanding of what worship, Christian community, evangelization, teaching, service, leadership and stewardship really mean to us as a Parish Council and how we must apply this understanding to our parish.

Holy Spirit, we take a moment now to pray to you in petition as we offer our thoughtsand prayers to you ... filled with the promise of hope.

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