Goals of Together In Faith

Mission-Minded

Youth Ministry. Comprehensive youth ministry is an Archdiocesan priority. Each parish is to have a specific plan to address the needs of youth. Youth leaders will be trained at the vicariate/regional levels. Requires a variety of efforts including urban, rural, suburban youth as well as representation from new emerging ethnic groups..

Young Adult and Campus Ministry. Implement the current model for Young Adult and Campus Ministry as approved by Cardinal Maida and the Council of Vicars.

"New Evangelization." Attract new members to the Church. Welcome back inactive Catholics. Educate church-attending Catholics of the importance of being a loving and caring Catholic community of faith.

Catechetical Formation. Vicariates explore various models of catechesis. Explore best practices of a vicariate and share among the parishes.

Worship Traditions. Especially in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and sacraments, utilizing the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal" and the "Instruction on the Eucharist."

Family Life Ministry. Office for Family Life develops new and vibrant plans for this ministry.

Ethnic Communities. Identify and track the needs of emerging groups on a regular basis. Every vicariate has people of Hispanic origin with its boundaries

Seniors. Take better account of their valuable gifts to the Church. Addressing this concern, vicariates should address the demands an aging population places on the spiritual and physical resources of the Church.

Justice and Peace. Education is needed about importance to work for justice which will result in peace. Vicariate structure is best way to promote this work, gathering individuals from parishes.

Developing Leaders

Priestly Leadership. Every priest is asked to recommit himself to ongoing theological and pastoral formation, as well as strengthening skills in management. 

Parish Business Managers. To meet the reality of a diminished number of priests, and to allow priests to focus on the primary ministry of evangelizing and celebrating the sacraments, business managers should be employed in parishes, whenever possible, to assist pastors in managing the parish's day-to-day business related affairs.

Pastoral Ministry Formation. Renew the archdiocesan commitment to certification programs for pastoral ministers at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

Fostering a Culture of Vocations. For the sake of future leaders in the Church, the ministry of fostering vocations needs to be a major these of every parish.  This includes regular prayers for vocations, an annual weekend dedicated to vocations, and identification of potential candidates for ministerial priesthood and/or religious life.

Permanent Deacons. Greater affirmation for permanent deacons on every level. Every parish should work toward the goal of having a permanent deacon.

Christian Stewardship

Stewardship Formation. Living as disciples through stewardship and encouraging the gifts of time, talent, and treasure. Vital stewardship techniques and approaches to address the needs of parishes/vicariates. Training conducted on vicariate/regional level.

Parish Stewardship Commissions. Empowered and encouraged to keep parishioners aware of the general financial condition of their parish and/or school and its related units and programs.

Resource sharing. Parishes/vicariates asked to renew their commitment to social service outreach, within the parish/vicariate and also beyond the parish/vicariate.

Future Planning. In some areas, a focus on creating new parishes and/or schools; in other areas, planning for declining populations and resources.