St. Paul Parish is on a journey to become a Next Generation Parish!
As you may recall, our parish is among several in our Diocese selected by our Bishop to work with Catholic Leadership Institute to embark on the process of becoming Next Generation Parishes. Together, we will come together in faith to forge a renewed path that brings hope and Christ’s love into our community. Over the next two years (2025 – 2027), we will increasingly seek to become a parish that fosters spiritual maturity, shares leadership, offers a vibrant Sunday experience, and embraces a missionary impulse.
Envisioning Team
The members of St. Paul Parish Envisioning Team include: Jackie Berthold, Joe Cappuzzello, Anne & Joe Funai, Mary Ann Greier, Frank Leslie, Stefanie Moran, Julie Mincks, Fr Joe Ruggieri, Gary & Beth Schaefer & Rich Shar.
This group will be responsible for developing a plan to help St. Paul Parish become a Next Generation Parish.
Implementation Team
Sue Dattilio, Gina Dermotta, Carol Herron, Frank Leslie, Albert & Karen Lewandowski, Stefanie Moran, Fr Joe Ruggieri & Fritz Schlueter.
Next Generation St. Paul Parish
Together, we will come together in faith to forge a renewed path that brings hope and Christ’s love into our community. Over the next four years, we will increasingly seek to become a parish that fosters spiritual maturity, shares leadership, offers a vibrant Sunday experience, and embraces a missionary impulse.
For the past 5 months, St. Paul Parish’s Envisioning Team has been working diligently on a new pastoral plan for our parish, and it is ready! This will be the guiding document for our parish for the next several years. Many thanks to the Envisioning Team for their time and service in putting this together!
Highlights of the Pastoral Plan
Our Parish’s Purpose
Our Parish’s purpose is to share our knowledge, experience, gifts and talents to revive and continue to build a Christ centered community that serves and teaches for the glory of God.
Our Parish’s Vision
Our Parish will be welcoming and inviting to grow and serve to be a source of good in our community. As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we will courageously demonstrate compassion and promote excitement for the life, teaching and love of Jesus Christ.
Our Parish’s Values
Faith, Evangelization, Hope, Fellowship.
Our Top 3 Pastoral Priorities
Foster Spiritual Growth
Building on our current strengths, we will empower a vibrant parish community that deepens faith at every stage of life. We will expand opportunities for spiritual education and formation, encourage fuller participation in the sacramental life of the Church, and inspire parishioners to grow through worship, prayer, and retreat experiences.
- Increase the percentage of respondents who “strongly agree” that they are confident in the Church’s teaching from 6% to 25% by March 31, 2027.
- Increase the percentage of parishioners who “strongly agree” that they feel confident sharing and defending their Catholic faith from 7% to 30% by March.
Build Parish Unity and Outreach
Foster a welcoming and informed parish where everyone feels seen, valued, and invited to belong. Strengthen parish connection through transparent communication, shared purpose, and active participation in parish life. Support outreach efforts that reflect the compassion and justice of the Gospel and extend our mission into the broader community.
- Increase parishioner awareness and engagement by 20% from baseline as measured from website clicks and bulletin feedback surveys by June 30, 2027.
- Strengthen the connection between the parish and the wider community by organizing at least one fellowship event per quarter, each involving both parishioners and invited community members, with a target average attendance of at least 20% of the parish’s average weekend Mass attendance, by June 30, 2027.
Shared Responsibility
Empower parishioners to work with the pastor in stewarding the parish’s mission and resources. Invite everyone to participate in parish ministry and to care for staff and facilities.
- Increase parishioner participation in shared ministry by 25% by developing a parishioner skills and interests database of all registered households and using the database to match those individuals with at least three new or existing ministry needs by October 31, 2026.
- Increase the year over year total weekly offertory by 5% by December 31, 2026.
Please continue to pray for this intention and for the growth and protection of our parish.
