HOLY REDEEMER BY THE SEA CATHOLIC PARISH
FIVE-YEAR PLAN
JULY 2007 

Parish Mission Statement

We are a diverse Catholic Community that welcomes our visitors, serves all God’s Children and gathers to worship with our Faith Community. 

Parish Vision Statement 

Empowered by the teachings of Jesus Christ and enriched by the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales, the Parish of Holy Redeemer by the Sea will reach out to the many diverse groups within the greater community of the Outer Banks.

Holy Redeemer by the Sea shall be committed to serve to the best of our abilities the needs of all in our community, in particular: the needy, the old, the infirm, and the marginalized.  We will continue to develop self-help and other programs as needed to accomplish this vision. 

Holy Redeemer by the Sea will foster a greater reverence for the Eucharist and other Sacraments, providing a welcoming environment for all believers. 

Goals and Objectives

Word and Worship

            Goal:  Foster a greater reverence for the Eucharist and the other sacraments. 

A.         Deepen knowledge of our Catholic Faith through two (2) retreats per year.
(On calendar for 2007/2008 and every year thereafter)

B.         When appropriate, celebrate Baptisms during Mass. (Start Fall 2007 and continuing) 

C.        Offer opportunities to the youth to participate during the liturgies through music, lecturing and ushering.
 (Start Fall 2007 and continuing) 

D.        Re-establish the Rosary Society.(Start 2009)

E.         Establish a society to sponsor the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament once a quarter. (Start 2009)

F.         Hold a Seder Meal during Lent. (on Calendar for 2008 and every year thereafter) 

Spiritual  Growth/Religious Education 

            Goal:  To develop and foster spiritual growth within our parish. 

A.         Increase participation in the Generations of Faith Program.
(Continuing 2007/2008 and beyond) 

B.         Welcoming other faith traditions into the Catholic Faith through the process of Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). (Continuing effort) 

C.         Promote Prayer within families and in small groups.(Start 2008/2009) 

D.         Increase awareness of St. Francis de Sales spirituality through speakers and celebrations of the Salesian saints. (Start 2008/2009) 

E.         Encourage independent study group – Bible Study (Little Rock).
(Continue morning program and expand to evening by 2009) 

F.          Foster the devotion to the Patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of Guadalupe. (Continuing effort) 

G.         Develop the sacramental program for Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation and Eucharist for children. (Continuing effort)

H.         Train catechists, especially implementing the sacramental programs. (Establish formal program in 2008) 

 I.             Offer a vacation bible school for the children of the parish. (Summer 2007 and beyond)

 J.           Participate in Diocesan Retreats and other youth-oriented events, e.g., “Voices that  Challenge”, and the Youth Group. (Continuing effort) 

K.         Develop leaders of lay ministers. (Formalize by 2009) 

Service to Others:

Goal:  Reach out to the many diverse groups within the parish while serving the needs of the community.

A.  Offer English and Spanish as second language programs.
     (Continue English, start Spanish in 2009) 

B.     Continue to support the Interfaith Community Outreach (ICO) and all the Peace and Justice Ministries.(Continuing effort)

  C.    Organize a Transportation Ministry for Church events – e.g., Mass, parish social events, retreats, Generations of Faith. (Start organizing and start by 2009) 

D.    Provide support to bereaved families of the parish.(Organize, Plan and Start by 2009) 

E.     Promote disaster relief volunteers.  (Continuing effort) 

F.     Anonymous Angel Program and Thanksgiving Baskets.(Continuing) 

Administration

            Goal 1:  Increase Stewardship within the Parish. 

A.         Share with the Parish a plan/outline of future projects and their financial requirements.
(Start Fiscal 2007/2008 

B.         Conduct fundraisers for specific projects for the church, e.g. new parking lot at Holy Trinity, Rectory, Holy Trinity residence, new Chapel. (Start Fiscal 2008 thru 2012) 

C.        Increase awareness of the obligation to support the Parish financially.(Fiscal 2008/2009)

Goal 2:  Provide a welcoming environment. 

A.         Improve the physical structure:  Develop a plan to maintain and improve the physical structure of Holy Redeemer and Holy Trinity Chapel. 

1.       Enchance the warmth of the Church by adding additional religious art work.
(Continuing effort) 

2.       Improve the parking lot at Holy Trinity Chapel. (Continuing thru 2008/2009)

3.       Improve the residence for the visiting priests. (Continuing thru 2008/2009) 

4.       Develop a plan for building of the chapel. (2008/2009) 

5.       Develop a plan for the new Rectory. (2008/2009) 

B.         Improve communication within the Parish. 

1.       Create a “Welcome Wagon” program for new parishioners.(2008/2009) 

2.       Recognize the seasonal visitors during Mass. (Continuing effort) 

3.       Parish Directory. (2007) 

4.       Create an e-mail database for parishioners and visitors. (2008/2009) 

Parish Life

Goal:   To offer opportunities to get to know the parishioners and to make the 

 Church the center of family life. 

Increase participation in the existing Parish social events, such  as the Parish Picnic, Roma Night.   (Continuing effort)