I am delighted to share with you the Vision Statement that has been emerging from their long hours of study and discussion at Council meetings and between Council meetings. I present the Statement to you as a way to seek your input and comments. You will notice that it is written in the first person as a way to emphasize the need for all parishioners to take responsibility for its fulfillment.
Father Mark and I welcome your comments in person, by e-mail (ffirpo@dor.org; fbrewer@dor.org) or on the blog-site (ponderingpadres.blogspot.com).
Just as your voice has been instrumental through your participation in the US Congregational Survey to initiate this Statement, your voice is critical in finalizing the work.
- It is my vision that St. Charles Borromeo (SCB) offers welcome to all who seek a deeper friendship (relationship) with the living God through the Roman Catholic Tradition;
- It is my vision that all parishioners are treated with respect and dignity and are accepted for their gifts and limitations;
- It is my vision that (all) the ministries of SCB, especially the liturgical ones, encourage and afford opportunities for active participation in all our liturgical services;
- It is my vision that our parishioners know one another by name and gather joyfully for (worship) prayer, support, learning, and social activities;
- It is my vision that we honor the senior members of our faith Community, by encouraging and offering opportunities for them to share their experiences, strengths, and hopes to our younger families;
- It is my vision that our friendship with the living God is deepened with SCB encouraging and offering opportunities for study, reflection, and action. To this end, I envision the former school building being designated as a MINISTRY CENTER that also houses the ministerial staff offices;
- It is my vision that SCB take a leadership role in reaching out and evangelizing in the Eastern Greece/Charlotte (EG/C) wider community;
- It is my vision that we offer to eligible parishioners a formation program in order to be involved in SCB parish ministry as a volunteer;
- It is my vision that we encourage our young men and their families, through planned activities, to consider a vocation to the ministerial priesthood;
- It is my vision to have a vibrant Youth Ministry that offers opportunities for all youth to become acquainted with the Christian life in the EG/C wider community;
- It is my vision that SCB collaborate wherever possible with the other Christian Communities in our area to offer Christian human services.
