Pastoral Plan

I. Our Collaborative Purpose

The Lexington Catholic Community exists to be a welcoming spiritual home where faith is nourished by Word and Sacrament so that we can reach out in loving service to others and share the Gospel.

II. Our Collaborative Values

Compassion and Generosity: In solidarity with the poor, marginalized and maligned of our society, we believe our gifts are invitations to share our blessings with others.

Humility and Openness: We are committed to listening to one another, working together for the common good, and striving for a true spirit of empathy within our community with hospitality for all.

Spiritual Maturity and Prayerfulness: We strive to grow in our awareness of God’s presence in our lives and to live as His faithful disciples committed to the welfare of all, with an ever deepening love for humankind and all creation.

III. Our Collaborative Vision

The Lexington Catholic Collaborative seeks to be a welcoming and inclusive community, rooted in the Eucharist, committed to lay leadership and aspiring to grow our membership by sharing our faith in word and action. Faithful of all ages and walks of life deepen their faith through prayer and service to others. The Collaborative is a joyful witness to the love of God evident in the friendship among its parishioners, in community celebrations and in its welcome to all.

IV. Our Collaborative Priorities

Priority 1: Creating a Culture of Hospitality, Welcome and Collaboration

Over the next three to five years our parishes want to attract more people to join us for worship, faith formation and service to others. We also want our parishioners to know each other better and feel at home in both churches.

Goal 1: Create a “welcome wagon” type ministry to contact and visit new members of the parishes by June 30, 2018.

Goal 2: Plan and execute at least two collaborative-wide social events per year with one taking place in each parish, beginning in fiscal year 2017-2018.

Goal 3: By June 30, 2019 expand the total number of friendly greeters at our weekend liturgies by 20%.

Goal 4: Improve collaborative-wide communications by ensuring that all committees use the approved protocol for publicizing their meetings and reporting on their work.

Goal 5: Improve communications with the wider community via internet, newspaper ads and social media.

Priority 2: Fostering the Growth of Intentional Disciples

We seek to actively invite all our members to become intentional disciples of Christ who continue to grow in their faith and love of God by encouraging their involvement in liturgical ministries and ongoing faith formation.

Goal 1: By June 30, 2019, increase the number of teenagers regularly involved in a liturgical ministry by 25%.

Goal 2: The Lexington Catholic Collaborative will offer at least 12 varied opportunities per year for adult faith formation beginning in fiscal year 2017-2018.

Goal 3: By June 30, 2019, a majority of parishioners will agree, as determined by an annual assessment conducted by the parish Liturgy Committees, that the Lexington Catholic Community consistently offers vibrant and engaging music and homilies at weekend liturgies.

Goal 4: Increase by 20% the number of parishioners who contribute to the support of the parishes using weekly envelopes or online giving by June 30, 2019.

Priority 3: Nurturing the Call to Service and Social Justice

As disciples of Christ we are each called to preach the good news to those who have not yet received it. We do this in conversation, in our service to others and in our work for social justice.

Goal 1: 200 parishioners will participate in a collaborative-wide program for the discernment of gifts by June 30, 2019 that encourages parishioners to know and use their gifts in ministry.

Goal 2: Identify one weekend per year to highlight, at all levels in our Faith Formation programs, vocations to full-time ministry in the Church, including the ordained priesthood, religious life, the permanent diaconate and lay ministry.

Goal 3: By June 30, 2019, increase the number of people who regularly participate in social justice initiatives or in service to the parish or those in need by 20%.