October 2019
Goals for your Area Catholic Community
Future Diocesan Regional Ministry Gatherings will be based on the goals submitted
If you have already chosen goals to work on in your ACC, GREAT! If you are struggling to come up with goals, consider these topics. At the clergy conference, Bishop Kettler mentioned wanting to strengthen these areas across the Diocese. **These are suggestions! You know your area better than anyone else. What is the deepest need?

Each ACC plan should have between 3-5 goals.
1.  Youth Ministry
2.  Young Adult Ministry
3.  Adult and Children/Youth Faith Formation
4.  Evangelization
5.  RCIA 
6.  Social Concerns Committee –
outreach to the poor, marginalized, immigrants
7.  Vocations (Vocation Committee)
8.  Liturgy and Music
9.  Welcoming/Hospitality
10. Finances/Stewardship 
Some have asked for examples of pastoral plans. The Archdiocese of Boston has developed "collaboratives" with each collaborative developing a pastoral plan. Follow the link to a list of a particular set of collaboratives and click on the individual collaborative for their pastoral plan. https://www.disciplesinmission.com/phase-iii
One in Mission and Ministry Event
Area Catholic Communities call for a renewed effort in collaboration in ministry. This event, for all those in ANY leadership capacity including councils and committees, staff and volunteers, will provide an opportunity to learn more about shared ministry and ministry in multiple parishes.

For more information or REGISTER HERE for this event .
Northern Cross Area Catholic Community
Butler, Dent, Perham, Rush Lake

Four Pillars in Faith Area Catholic Community
Foreston, Milaca, Mora, Ogilive

Central Lakes Area Catholic Community
Alexandria, Belle River, Osakis

North Central Area Catholic Community
Bertha, Blue Grass, Bluffton, Menahga, Motley, Staples, Verndale, Wadena

Harvest of Hope Catholic Community
Albany, Avon, St. Anthony, St. Martin
If your Area Catholic Community is creating a name, please send it to Brenda when the name becomes final. Here are some of the names so far.
Every seven years each diocese is to send a "state of the diocese" report to the Pope. The Saint Cloud Diocese recently submitted the 2019 Quinquennial report and in this report, we state that 28 % of the Diocesan Catholic population attends Sunday Mass regularly. This is down from 45% reported in 2011.

The 2018 United States national weekly Mass attendance average is 21.1%. (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate)
At the clergy conference, the clergy were asked this question,
"Why are we doing this process?" Here are some of the responses:

"To facilitate the spread of the Gospel."
"To more effectively evangelize and nurture the faith in the St. Cloud Diocese!"
"To more efficiently utilize the gifts we have available to further our mission as Catholics."
"To enable parishes to widen their vision and conviction of what a parish is meant to be."
Brenda Kresky | Director of Pastoral Planning | 214 3rd Ave S. St. Cloud, MN 56301
320-529-4611 | bkresky@gw.stcdio.org | www.stcdio.org/planning