Discovery Session Summary
As part of the Old St. Pat’s Strategic Planning process, all church members were invited to participate in two Discovery sessions held in the Church hall on Nov. 17, 2007 and Jan. 10, 2008. Over 100 people attended the two sessions. At each session participants participated in processes that helped them identify what they believed to be the most important issues facing Old St. pat’s and to name their hopes and dreams for the future of Old St. Pat’s.
Summary of Both Discovery Sessions
Most Frequently named issues facing Old St. Pat’s
There was great consistency in the responses of the two Discovery Sessions regarding the key issues facing Old St. Pat’s:
- Increase Diversity at Old St. Pat’s—this includes economic diversity as well as racial/ethnic diversity.
- Spiritual Growth and Faith Formation—Old St. Pat’s as a place that people can come to grow in their faith and for spiritual growth and renewal
- Social Justice—Help all members to see social justice as a responsibility; work to address systemic issues of social justice
- Attracting the next generation of Catholics to participate in Old St. Pat’s
- Resources: Ensuring the Old St. Pat’s had the financial resources and the facilities to grow in the direction it wants to grow
- Identity Groups in the Parish—Continue to support/grow Lifecycle and other groups that serve the diverse groups that make up Old St. Pat’s
Most Frequently named Hopes/Dreams facing Old St. Pat’s
There was great consistency in the responses of the two Discovery Sessions regarding Hopes/Dreams for Old St. Pat’s. The following dreams were among the most common chosen at both sessions:
- More Intergenerational Programs
- Old St. Pat’s as a model/resource for other Parishes
- Improved Web site with online training, social networking