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The

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Study

A study of: "Growing an Engaged Church"

 
 
  “We want to listen to our whole faith tradition, church teaching… and ask, “What is the Spirit saying to us as a community of faith?”
- Rev. John Hennessey

In prayer, respect, reverence, and delight, you are invited to sign our parish covenant on Aug. 6/7, Sept. 3/4, Oct. 1/2, or Nov. 5/6.

What is a covenant? A covenant is a prayer, a declaration, a celebration, a promise and recognition of who we are called and empowered to be by God, and what we are calling for from ourselves and one another as a community. Our faith tradition is rich with acts of covenant made by God.

Why a parish covenant? Our covenant is based on our parish discernment and choices in the Joe! Study and expectations. The covenant will be used a foundation of our vision and future planning. Parishioner acclamation and affirmation by signature of the covenant empowers the focus and application of that vision and planning!


  The Results Are In! (February 2011)
Your Chosen Expectations!
During the weekend of November 19-20, 2010, parisioners were invited to rank the top 5 expectations we have of ourselves and the top 5 expectations we have of our parish by completing an in-pew or on-line survey.  There were 1,600 parishioners who completed the survey.  The chosen expectations will serve as the foundation for the parish covenant.  In the coming months, together we will explore and deepen our understanind of our expectations. Below are the chosen expectations. Click on an expectation to view the reflections.  We will add more during the coming weeks.

Expectations of Ourselves

 

Expectations of Our Parish

BACKGROUND ON THE JOE! STUDY PROCESS

 St. Joseph Parish is exploring ways we can grow and become more engaged as a community of faith. The conversation began in October 2009 with the Joe! Study. Over 1,900 of us responded to the survey and the results became the starting point of a conversation. Recently, Focus Groups were conducted and soon those responses will be shared with the parish. The experiences, ideas and conversations shared will help guide the parish as plan for the future.

Focus Group Outcomes
The 20 outcomes of the two series of Focus Groups were summarized: 10 expectations of ourselves and 10 expectations of our parish. Four expectations were featured each week for four weeks, concluding on November 7, 2010. Following each expectation, a brief offering that connects it to Scripture, various church documents or other resources was presented.

  THE JOE! MINI-STUDY 
On the weekend of November 13-14, 2010 a parishioner mini-study was conducted during all Masses where
all were asked to select their top 5 from each list of 10.  The final 10 will serve as the foundation for our parish covenant. (SEE RESULTS ABOVE)

"God’s Holy Spirit is calling us to be community, to be in communion, to be covenant brothers and sisters in deeper and more committed ways! I am asking all of us to prayerfully reflect on these statements. Which statements resonate with you? Which statements do you see as more important? Which statements do you see as less important? Which statement is most important for you? Which statement is least important?"
~Rev. John Hennessey, The Carpenter, October 3, 2010

  

 /files/StewardshipCommission/tree logo_Resized_148x218.jpgPart Of The Growing An Engaged Church Process:
LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS PROCESS 

Please contact Sue Lehocky at slehocky@stjoseph-libertyville.org to sign up for the Clifton Strengthsfinder, an online questionnaire that reveals your top five signature talent themes.