Saint Lawrence Catholic Parish Strategic Plan: 2021 3-5 Year Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Saint Lawrence Catholic Church and School endeavors to grow and retain membership of the parish community.
We will grow active parishioners* and church attendance by 10% annually and maintain a 90% retention of parishioners.
We will grow school enrollment by 10% annually, reaching a capacity of 275 students in K-8 and 40 in preschool and retain 95% of school families.
*Active parishioners attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, complete stewardship cards, and/or are consistent givers of time and talent to the parish.

Objectives
• Identify if all who attend Mass are parishioners
• Explore a registration push, encouraging registration and stewardship
• Work with stewardship commission to develop a stewardship campaign that encompasses school and church families
• A Welcoming Doors Marketing campaign
• Distribute information about our ministries to surrounding neighborhoods
• Partner with other community Churches to help school enrollment
• Exit Survey to those who leave the church and school
• Welcome dinners and opportunities to get involved for new parishioners and school families
• Work toward an inclusive Parish community, so that we are not seen as the Anglo and Hispanic communities

Goal 2: Saint Lawrence Parish community will have streamlined, consistent, inclusive communication, published in a minimum of English and Spanish.

Objectives:
• Complete a comprehensive review of all methods used to currently communicate in the parish
o Facebook (at least 7 groups)
o Bulletin
o My Parish App
o Pastor Corner
o Annual Report
o etc.
• Investigate which parish software is best used to house parishioner information
o PDS
o Faith Direct
o Diocesan Publications
o Etc.
• Identify accurate emails, phone numbers, and home addresses for parishioners and their preferred method of communication
• Create a team of volunteer reporters and photographers to report what happens at events to publish on social media and other parish sites
• Revisit Church and School Branding-- are we using it?

Goal 3: Saint Lawrence Parish will increase its presence in the surrounding community; will increase participation in current parish ministries, and develop and sustain additional ministry groups that meet the needs and interests of all parishioners.

Objectives
• Cultivate a list of current parish ministries and their descriptions
• Include spiritual, fellowship, and community ministries
• Publish ministry list in some fashion (brochure, bulletin, welcome booklet)
• Develop an annual Ministry Fair for parishioners to explore and sample various ministries
• Survey parishioners to discern ministries they may want to be involved in
• Work with leaders of ministries to develop a welcoming mentality for new members
• Increase visibility in larger community
o Parades in Lawrence and Indianapolis
o Crime-Watch Groups
o Be a partner for public meetings
• Define Ministry Chain of Command and articulate which commission oversees which ministry
• Partner with Communication Goal to communicate ways to get involved


Plan Estratégico de la Iglesia Católica de San Lorenzo: Metas y Objetivos de 3 – 5 Años 2021

Meta 1:
La Iglesia y Escuela Católica de San Lorenzo se esfuerza por aumentar y retener a los miembros de la comunidad parroquial.
Aumentar los feligreses activos* y la asistencia a la iglesia en un 10% anual y conservar un 90% de los feligreses.
Aumentar la inscripción en la escuela en un 10% anual, alcanzando una capacidad de 275 estudiantes en K-8 y 40 en preescolar y reteniendo un 95% de las familias de la escuela.
*Los feligreses activos asisten a la Misa de los Domingos y Días Festivos, completan las tarjetas de compromiso, y/o son contribuyentes constantes de tiempo y talento a la parroquia.

Objetivos:
• Identificar si todos los que asisten a Misa están registrados
• Fomentar las registraciones, incitando a las inscripciones y a la mayordomía
• Trabajar con la Comisión de Mayordomía para desarrollar una campaña de mayordomía que abarque a las familias de la escuela y de la iglesia
• Promover la campaña de tener Puertas Abiertas
• Distribuir información sobre nuestros ministerios alrededor de los vecindarios
• Asociarse con otras iglesias de la comunidad para fortalecer la inscripción en la escuela
• Ofrecer una encuesta de salida a aquellos que dejan la parroquia o la escuela
• Cenas de bienvenida y oportunidades de participación para los nuevos feligreses y las familias de la escuela
• Trabajar por una comunidad parroquial inclusiva, para que no se nos vea como las comunidades anglo e hispana

Meta 2: La comunidad de la Parroquia de San Lorenzo tendrá una comunicación ágil, coherente e inclusiva, publicada en un mínimo de inglés y español.

Objetivos:
• Completar una revisión absoluta de todos los métodos utilizados actualmente para comunicarse en la parroquia
o Facebook (por lo menos 7 grupos)
o Boletín
o My Parish App
o Notas del Párroco
o Reporte Anual
o Etc.
• Investigar qué software parroquial es el más adecuado para recibir la información de los feligreses
o PDS
o Faith Direct
o Diocesan Publications
o Etc
• Identificar los correos electrónicos, los números de teléfono y las direcciones particulares de los feligreses y su método de comunicación preferido
• Crear un equipo de reporteros y fotógrafos voluntarios que informen de lo que ocurre en los eventos para publicarlo en las redes sociales y otros sitios de la parroquia
• Revisar si los emblemas de la Iglesia y Escuela comunican a la comunidad

Meta 3: La Parroquia de San Lorenzo aumentará su presencia en la comunidad cercana; aumentará la participación en los ministerios parroquiales actuales; y desarrollará y sostendrá grupos ministeriales adicionales que satisfagan las necesidades e intereses de todos los feligreses.

Objetivos:
• Elaborar una lista de los actuales ministerios parroquiales y sus descripciones
• Incluir los ministerios espirituales, fraternidad, comunidad
• De alguna manera publicar la lista de los ministerios (volantes, boletín, folleto de bienvenida)
• Desarrollar una Feria Ministerial anual para que los feligreses vean y examinen los diferentes ministerios
• Proporcionar una encuesta a los feligreses y así distinguir los ministerios en los que podrían participar
• Trabajar con los líderes de los ministerios para desarrollar una mentalidad de acogida para los nuevos miembros
• Aumentar una mayor visibilidad en la comunidad
• Desfiles en Lawrence e Indianápolis
• Grupos de vigilancia criminal
• Asociarse en las reuniones publicas
• Definir la cadena de mando del ministerio e informar qué comisión supervisa cada ministerio
• Asociarse con el Objetivo de Comunicación para comunicar las formas de participación

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For the Most Current Info, Digital Copies of our Weekly Bulletin, and Copies of Fr. Vinny’s Sunday Homilies

• Click here to listen and view all homilies on our website!
• get myParish app for your phone to receive our messages (more info on the next page)
• on FACEBOOK visit Iglesia Católica San Lorenzo
• send your email to mhandley@saintlawrence.net if you have not been receiving our weekly emails.

st. lawrenceFree Online Resources

FORMED – Catholic movies, programs, audio, books www.formed.org Sign up for an account. Choose “I belong to a parish” and select Saint Lawrence.

The following resources are generously being provided by the publishers for free during the Coronavirus outbreak.

Holy Heroes Mass prep activities for kids https://www.holyheroes.com/MassPrep-s/57.htm 

Magnificat Online, apps, and MagnifiKids in May https://us.magnificat.net/free 

Give us This Day https://giveusthisday.org/Digital 

Living with Christ http://www.livingwithchrist.us/#covid 

Liturgy Training Publications https://www.ltp.org/resources-during-crisis 

Find more digital resources on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website at http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/prayer-resources-for-the-coronavirus-crisis.cfm

ADVENT - NEW YEAR MASS AND CONFESSION SCHEDULE (DECEMBER 3 - DECEMBER 31, 2023)

Please click here to download.

LISTEN TO THE HOMILIES FOR NOVEMBER 26, 2023

English 10 AM Mass - Fr. Vinny

Spanish 12 PM Noon Mass - Fr. Vinny

STARTING THIS WEEKEND (December 2nd and 3rd)

The ushers will no longer take up the collection. During the offertory please come forward and place your donation in the basket by the altar.

MASSES TO CELEBRATE OUR LADY, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

immaculate conceptionThe Immaculate Conception, Holy Day of Obligation
Novena: November 29—December 7
Masses: December 7 6:00pm (Multilingual)
December 8 9:15am (English)
December 8 12:00pm Noon (English-no music)
December 8 6:30pm (Spanish)


Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the United States of America. December 8 is also the Anniversary of our parish, Saint Lawrence.

 

Refreshments and fellowship after the 6:00pm Mass on December 7 and the 6:30pm Mass on December 8.

 

our lady of guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe
Festivities for the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of Mexico, the Americas, and the Unborn.

 

Monday, December 11
10:30pm Aztec Dancers
11:00pm Mass in Spanish
12:00am Mañanitas (Serenade of Mary) including Mariachi after Mass. Refreshments after mañanitas.

 

Tuesday, December 12
9:15am Mass in English (with school)
6:30pm Aztec Dancers
7:00pm Mass in Spanish (Live Streamed)
8:00pm Reenactment of the apparitions of Our Lady of Guadalupe after Mass. Refreshments following the performance.

ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES

The North Deanery Advent Penance Services will be held December 17-19 at the following locations:
Sunday, December 17 2:00pm at Saint Thomas Aquinas, 4600 N Illinois St
Monday, December 18 7:00pm at Saint Matthew, 4100 E 56th St
Tuesday, December 19 7:00pm Here at Saint Lawrence

 

FATIMA LEAVES THE LIGHT ON
Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E 56th Street
Monday, December 11, 2023 9:00am-7:00pm, No appointment necessary.

LISTENING SESSIONS

Saturday December 2 after the 4:30pm Mass (English)
Sunday Deptember 3 after the Noon Mass (Spanish)

All are invited!

archbishop thompsonINSTALLATION MASS FOR FR. VINNY DECEMBER 10, 2023 NOON MASS CELEBRANT: ARCHBISHOP CHARLES C. THOMPSON

Archbishop Thompson will be at Saint Lawrence on Sunday, December 10, 2023. He will celebrate our Noon Mass and:

 

- Install Fr. Vinny as the Pastor of Saint Lawrence

- Kickoff the year of celebration leading up to our 75th Anniversary on December 8, 2024
- Bless our new Marian grotto

 

Our 10:00am and Noon Masses will be multilingual on December 10. Fellowship and food after the Noon Mass in Fr. Conen Hall.

HELP OUR SCHOOL STUDENTS GO TO DC

In May, our 8th grade students will be visiting Washington DC for their class trip.  This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of our students to see their textbooks and curriculum come to life in person.  However, this opportunity comes with a cost.  Although the price per student is reasonable for all that is offered, it is still a financial burden that many of our families may struggle to comfortably afford.  If you would be interested in sponsoring a student or contributing to help offset some of the total expense, please contact the school at 317-543-4923 or email school@saintlawrence.net.  Our students and families will appreciate any support you may be able to provide.

 

UCA 4

REQUEST FROM FR. VINNY

Dear Parish Family,

 

Our Parish has a Haitian gentleman in particular need of a home. He is wheelchair-bound, knows five languages, and is very kind but has not been able to find a job in order to keep pace with his rent. Please contact the Parish Office if you would have the availability to open your home to him at least until he gets a job.

 

Thank you for your heartfelt consideration,

Fr.Vinny Signature for Pastors Corner

RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS Next weekend: December 9/10, 2023

You can help. “Religious are blessed to serve,” says Dominican Father Bertrand Ebben, age 90. Please donate to the Retirement Fund for Religious next week. Your gift will provide essential care for nearly 25,000 senior sisters, brothers and religious order priests who have dedicated their lives to serving others. Let us show our gratitude to these selfless individuals by giving generously. Place your donation in the regular collection or in the offertory boxes in the narthex. Extra envelopes will be available.

COMING IN DECEMBER

Legacy Gala Gift-gathering Event. Watch the bulletin for more info.

HELP NEEDED WITH TRANSPORTATION

Many of our Haitian families do not have transportation to attend our English classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-1pm or our weekend Masses. If you are able to assist with transporation or with Uber/Lyft gift cards, please call Kim at the Parish Office 317-546-4065 ext 332 or Gregg Comer 317-430-8569. Several of our families live near 38th & Post, off of Shadeland Avenue between 38th & 42nd Street, and near Cumberland.

75th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE - NOW FORMING!

The first Mass was celebrated here at Saint Lawrence on December 8, 1949. Next year we will celebrate our 75th Anniversary. If you are interested in being part of the planning committee for our year-long celebration, please contact Kim at the Parish Office 317-546-4065 ext 332 or kczachura@saintlawrence.net

2024 ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH SUNDAY MISSALS

We will once again have the annual St. Joseph Missal available for purchase. The price this year is $5.

SAFE PARISH TRAINING

All parishioners volunteering at Saint Lawrence are asked to complete Safe Parish training which includes completing a background check and taking an online course. The course takes about 45-60 minutes to complete and must be done on either a computer or a laptop. The course can be found at www.Archindysafeparish.org  Passcode/ Organization Code is Archindy2021

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, April 13, 2024

Fr. Beechem’s Blastoff Bingo!!! Join us!!!
License #002510

LOST AND FOUND

There is a tote in the church narthex full of “Lost and Found” items. If you are missing an item of clothing or a backpack, etc., please see if it is in the tote. All items are eventually given to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.

PARISH LIBRARY

Looking for some way to enrich your Lenten experience? There are several Lenten-themed books set aside on the table in the Parish Library available for checkout.  Some are informational, some inspirational, some prayerful;  all are thought provoking. The library is open between Masses on Sundays.  Please stop in and make a selection.  You will be glad you did!

POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER INTENTION FOR DECEMBER

For persons with disabilities. We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.

DECEMBER IS THE MONTH DEDICATED TO ADVENT AND THE COMING OF CHRIST

December is dedicated to Advent and the coming of Christ. This refers to the preparation for the celebration of remembering Christ's birth 2000 years ago, but also the prayerful, spiritual preparation for the second and final coming of the Lord. To view our Advent and Christmas resources, click here.

SCHEDULE YOUR MASS INTENTIONS

Weekend Masses are booked through the end of the year. Daily Masses are available as early as next week. Call Kim at the parish office 317-546-4065 ext 332 to schedule a Mass intention in memory of a loved one or for the special intention of a loved one. The stipend is $10.

 

HOSPITAL VISITATION FROM OUR PRIEST

Please remember that because of HIPPA rules, hospitals will not call Saint Lawrence and tell us when you are in the hospital. Even if you give the hospital the name of our church, they will not pass on your hospital admission to us. When you are admitted to the hospital, please have a family member call Saint Lawrence (317-546-4065) and let us know of your illness. If you need a priest in an emergency, please use our emergency phone (317-987-7818).

LOW-GLUTEN HOSTS ARE AVAILABLE

(0.01% gluten content) Please alert the presiding priest before Mass and stand in this priest’s Communion line to receive the host.

AROUND TOWN

Click here to view other happenings, events, and programs occurring outside of St. Lawrence but within our community.

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