Short form of parish presentation from Discernment Group

1. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 1Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
“Spiritual Journeys &
Vocations”
Threshold Conversations and the “Nicodemus Effect”

2. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 2Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Spiritual Thresholds:
Parishes & People
Pre-
Trust
Trust
Curious
Open
Seeking
Disciple
Apostle
+ - 70% of
Parish
+-70% of
Church-Go-ers
3% - 7%of
Church Go-ers ??
Catechesis Only
Effective Here
Actively Seeking God
Passive
No
Connection,
Semi-Hostile,
Hostile
Actively Seeking Others
As outlined in 

3. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 3Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Spiritual Thresholds
Pre-
Trust
Trust
Curious
Open
Seeking
Disciple
Apostle
+ - 70% of
Parish
+-70% of
Church-Go-ers
3% - 7%of
Church Go-ers ??
Catechesis Only
Effective Here
Implications for
St. Monica Parish?

4. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 4Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Spiritual Thresholds
Pre-
Trust
Trust
Curious
Open
Seeking
Disciple
Apostle
+ - 70% of
Parish
+-70% of
Church-Go-ers
3% - 7%of
Church Go-ers ??
Catechesis Only
Effective Here
“Small Groups”
Effective Here
What about “On-Boarding,”
“Off-Boarding and
Transitions?

5. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 5Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Background and Context
• What does Jesus Christ want the parish of
St. Monica to look like in 5 years.
• If we closed tomorrow - beside parishioners -
who would miss us?

6. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 6Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Background and Context
• June 2016, Fr. Zlock commissions a group of 20+
parishioners to prayerfully discern the future of the
parish.
• 14 months of Prayer, Research, Debate, Discussion
• Consensus on recommendations for the parish purpose,
priorities, key initiatives for next 3 years.

7. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 7Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Our Purpose as a Parish…
…is simply to get more people to heaven, with a special
emphasis on people in Berwyn and Devon.
Evaluate how we spend our time, energy, and resources in
light of our purpose:
• If it helps more people get to heaven, we’ll do it.
• If we cannot see how it will help more people get to
heaven, let other organizations do it.

8. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 8Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
ENCOUNTER With Jesus is the Way
The life-changing encounter with Jesus is critical
as a person and as a parish
We will help people encounter Jesus in scripture,
the liturgy, and in service to others.
The Religious Ed Line
And Threshold Conversations

9. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 9Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Encountering Jesus in…
Scripture-Based Small Groups
- Current research and parish experience validates power of
scripture based small groups to help people encounter Jesus and
grow as disciples.
- We will do this for women, men, and youth through:

10. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 10Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Encountering Jesus in...
Liturgy & Worship
As a Eucharistic community, we will strengthen the 3 H’s
and 3 M’s to help people encounter Jesus in our worship.
Hymns / Music
• Continue excellence in musical quality
• Increase diversity of liturgical music styles
Homilies / Message
• Ensure preaching is relevant to everyday life
• Provide timely feedback to presiders
Hospitality / Ministry
• Actively connect newcomers to ministry
• Develop welcome culture in all parishioners
5 Components to an
Excellent Homily:
A - udible
P - assionate
O - rganized
U - nderstandable
R – elevant to Life

11. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 11Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Encountering Jesus in…
Service to Others
We are called to see the face of Christ in others,
and be the face of Christ to others.
So we will help people encounter Jesus in service to others:
In the
parish
HOPE, Merry
Widows
On Campus
All Abilities,
Helping Hands
Beyond the
parish
Kensington
Bristol
See Jesus in others. Be Jesus for others.

12. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 12Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Encountering Jesus
Helping You Get to Heaven
Staff Lead: Jason Carter
IN SCRIPTURE-BASED
SMALL GROUPS
• Volunteer Leads:
• WWP – Melissa Gerding, Maureen Kozak
• TMIY – Matt Manion, Tom McGurk
• Youth – Core Team Volunteers
Staff Leads: Fr. Zlock, Frank Orman
IN LITURGY
AND WORSHIP
• Volunteer Leads:
• New Liturgy Committee: In Place
• Hospitality - Martha McGurk
• Contemporary Music Initiative
Staff Lead: ?
IN SERVICE
TO OTHERS
• Volunteer Leads:
• Bridget Cowell, Michelle Manning
• Establish New Service & Outreach Commission

13. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 13Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Six Steps Towards Implementation
ACTIVITY LEAD DUE DATE
1. Recruitment for scripture-based small groups MG, MK, MM,
TM, JC
9/21/17
2. Confirm leadership for Service & Outreach
Commission
Fr. Zlock, Michelle M.
& Bridget C.
9/31/17
3. Share vision and priorities with ministry leaders Fr. Z and
Discernment Team
11/15/17
4. Share vision and priorities with all parishioners Fr. Z and
Discernment Team
12/17/17
5. Recruit members of Liturgy Committee Fr. Z and Frank 1/19/18
6. Share the love and mercy of Jesus Christ with
others – in scripture, liturgy, and service
ALL Ongoing

14. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 14Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
SUMMARY: What The Lord Wants
EVERY DAYENCOUNTER THROUGH SCRIPTURE
• Just Read the Bible
• Formal Study Group
• Scripture-Based Prayer Aids
EVERY WEEKENCOUNTER THROUGH LITURGY
AND WORSHIP
• Mass
• Adoration
• Abby Fest
EVERY YEARENCOUNTER THROUGH SERVING OTHERS
• WWP & HNS: Kensington & Bristol
• CCYAC: Helping Hands, Berwyn
• All Abilities, Chester County +

15. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 15Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Saint Monica Parish…
• An intergenerational parish community of children,
teens, young adults, middle-age, seniors
• A community of growing disciples who share their
faith, support one another in small groups, and lead
others to Jesus
• A full and active Church at every Sunday Mass
• Catholics who go out and serve others in the name
of Christ
• A legacy of faith for generations to come in Berwyn
and Devon

16. Discernment Team Recommendations 8.25.2017 16Vision for Saint Monica Parish, Berwyn, PA
Saint Monica Parish
Encountering Jesus
Helping You Get to Heaven