What are your hopes and aspirations for your parish?

The Parish Priest of a large Catholic Parish in Sydney shared with me prior to the meeting and presentation of how difficult it was to move ahead with the things that needed to done. Does that sound familiar?

The meeting took the form of a number of key people sitting around a large table in the Presbytery. I was seated at one end and Father at other end – he said before I ask Mr. Cameron to speak I want to ask each of you this question “what are your hopes and aspirations for this parish?” each answer while different was very positive in support of developing a vision and moving ahead.

Part of our preparation for a planned giving program is about goal setting – the parish undertook a ‘Parish Assembly’ setting a number of goals and went ahead to have a very successful planned giving program.

“Lord give us a fresh vision of what it means to be your church”.