The Parish Pastoral Plan serves as a roadmap for the future — helping us prayerfully discern how St. Gabriel Church can continue growing spiritually, pastorally, and physically in service to our mission to be and make disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). Building on our annual plan, it helps foster a shared pastoral vision between our bishop and pastor, who are entrusted with the care of all souls within our parish boundaries. As with our annual planning, this is a collaborative effort involving clergy, staff, parish leadership, and parishioners.
This process is rooted in prayer, listening, and discernment. Parishioner input is an important part of the process and has already helped shape our discussions through surveys, ministry feedback, conversations, and the Disciple Maker Index Survey completed by 1,046 parishioners (View survey results here). Additional opportunities for parish feedback will be shared in the coming months.
Our Mission Comes First
Everything we do at St. Gabriel is guided by the mission Jesus entrusted to the Church: to be and make disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:19–20). Bishop Martin’s vision for our diocese speaks to the heart of this: “That everyone so loves Jesus, we share him with others.” Our planning is rooted not only in caring for our current parish family, but also in reaching those in our community (particularly in our parish’s geographic boundaries) who do not yet know Christ and his Church. We continually seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we discern how best to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of our parish and community in the years ahead.
Our Parish Priorities
Our mission naturally shapes how we use the resources entrusted to us and guides our parish priorities—and all of our planning:
1. Worship and Sacraments 2. Spiritual Growth and Evangelization 3. Serving, Outreach, and Participating in Mission 4. Connecting with Others
How Parishioners Are Helping Shape the Plan
While we naturally take a longer range look at spiritual and pastoral needs in setting annual goals and plans, the 5 to 10 year focus of the Parish Pastoral Plan allows us to consider more strategically how our campus and facilities support our mission and ministries. Our planning processes incorporate:
Prayer and discernment
Meetings with clergy, staff, the Pastoral and Finance Councils, ministry and core team leaders
Parishioner surveys and conversations
Feedback from ministries and program participants (like Alpha, Bible studies, OCIA, men’s and women’s ministries, young adult and young families ministries, and more)
Analysis of parish demographics and participation trends
Research into emerging needs and best practices
Shared learning and dialogue with other parishes
What Comes Next
This summer and fall, we will continue sharing updates and opportunities for parishioner input as the plan develops and is prepared for submission to the bishop in November.