| Value: Catholic Education and Faith Formation (Education and Faith Formation, Spirituality and Worship) |
| Define: Expanding the knowledge and understanding of God in the light of the Catholic Faith past, present and future. |
Behaviors that demonstrate that we are living the values:
- Parishioners are invited to come together to listen to outside speakers discuss the Catholic religion
- Parishioners attend our St. Joseph Parish website educational evening
- Married couples from our parish attend a Weekend Retreat on the spirituality of the Sacrament of Marriage
- Men and women form our parish attend a Weekend Retreat on Catholic spirituality for men and women respectively
- Parishioners come to a Sunday afternoon open discussion with Father Ted
- Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Sacristans, Environment and Art Members attend a Saturday Day of Recollection and Training
- Parishioners come together twice a month for study and reflection of the Sunday Gospel
- Parishioners attend a four-week Lenten program on Conversion and/or a three-week Advent program on the end of the world and eternal life
- Hundreds of parishioners attend a Parish Mission once a year on Catholic topics to be determined by parishioners
- Parishioners commit to an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament once a month in a total 24-hour period
- Parents of student s enrolled in Religious Education recognize the importance of parental involvement in their child’s Sacrament formation
- Parishioners come together to learn about the seven sacraments
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| Value: Community (Parish Life) |
| Define: As members of the One Body of Christ we come together to strengthen the bonds of the St. Joseph Faith Community. |
Behaviors that demonstrate that we are living the values:
- Parishioners come to a weekend celebration of our parish feast day on March 19th, St. Joseph, Husband of Mary
- Parishioners of all ages come together to join softball teams and/or bowling leagues
- Parishioners enjoy a St. Joseph Bingo Night open to family and friends
- Parishioners create a picture board / collage to publicize St. Joseph Community events
- Parishioners gather on Corpus Christi Sunday (Body of Christ Sunday) to celebrate our parish picnic
- Parishioners participate in fundraisers as a community: Gourmet / Farmers Market, Spaghetti Dinner, Pancake Breakfast, Game Night, Auction, Golf Outing
- Parishioners travel together by bus to : Navy Pier Tour, Chicago Bulls Basketball game, Willis Tower in Chicago, Mall Trip at Christmas time, Railcats Game, Shipshewana
- Parishioners of all ages come together for: Barbeque, Corn Roast, Hot Dog Roast/Smores, Pizza Party, Ice Cream Social, Submarine Sandwich Building, Christmas Cookie Exchange, Family Picnic
- Parishioners come together for community service event.
- Parishioners revive sewing/quilting/ craft guild.
- Parishioners come together for: Pilgrimages to churches/shrines, Pilgrimage to the Cathedral in Gary, Taize Prayer, Evening Prayer
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| Value: Hospitality/Stewardship to entire St. Joseph Faith Community. (Parish Life, Stewardship and Administration) |
| Defined: Acknowledge all that is good is gift from God. |
Behaviors that demonstrate that we are living the values:
- Parishioners talk with other parishioners before and after Mass and help welcome/register new parishioners after each Mass once a month
- Parishioners help to put together a parish information pamphlet for new or returning parishioners
- Parishioners make a commitment to give their first fruits treasure to our parish
- Sever parishioners help take the Saturday/Sunday Eucharist to the homebound of our parish as ministers of care
- Parishioners give periodic witness talks at the weekend Masses to call forth more parishioners to get involved in parish ministry.
- Parishioners help Father Ted develop a year-round Stewardship program for our parish
- Parishioners take on leadership role in a grief support group in our parish
- Parishioners provide funeral luncheons in our Gathering Room for families of deceased parishioners
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| Purpose Statement:
Enthusiasm and Love of God and Neighbor to inspire and encourage interpersonal relationships in the St. Joseph Faith Community in order that an atmosphere of sharing our faith, time, talent, treasure and hospitality will expand the Kingdom of God. |
| Value: Discern what is best for the St. Joseph faith community (Spirituality and Worship, Stewardship and Administration) |
| Define: Focus on the Will of our Creator Father for advancing the Kingdom of God in the St. Joseph faith community. |
Behaviors that demonstrate that we are living the values:
- Parishioners gather for different types of prayer experiences throughout the year
- Parishioners gather every three months to give prayerful feedback about St. Joseph Parish
- Parishioners come to a monthly meeting to learn about and develop the five co-missions of the Pastoral Council: Peace Social Justice; Spirituality & Worship; Parish Life; Stewardship & Administration; Education & Faith formation
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| Value: Promoting the Parish vision through the World Wide Web (Stewardship and Administration) |
| Define: Create an easily accessible online tool that communicates information to educate, evangelize, and engage the St. Joseph Faith Community as well as the public. |
Behaviors:
- Parishioners invite possible new parishioners
- Parishioners read the Pastor's Column on our parish website
- Parishioners utilize the interactive calendar on our parish website
- Parishioners participate in the parish computer lab
- Parishioners help market our parish by telling others about our website
- Parishioners use our website to learn internet terminology
- Parishioners visit our parish website to find helpful Catholic links for further Catholic education and formation
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