For the past several years, St. Leo's parish has been engaged in strategic planning. The first strategic plan, completed at the direction of the St. Leo School Board of Education, addressed the future of the School. This was followed by strategic plans for the new Youth Ministry program and the Liturgy Committee, both at the direction of the Parish Council. It is the intention of the Parish Council to require strategic plans for all of its established ministries and their respective parish organizations.

Concurrent with this planning process, and thanks in large measure to the diligence of the parish Finance Committee, the parish was able to pay down the debt for our new church significantly ahead of schedule and at substantial savings in interest expense. The early retirement of the debt has allowed us to re-focus our attention to the enhancement of current parish programs and the development of new ones. As a result, the Parish Council deferred further strategic planning activities at the ministry level in favor of developing an overall strategic plan for the parish.

We are pleased to submit to our parishioners this document entitled, "Fulfilling Our Vision: A Strategic Plan for the Church of St. Leo The Great". It is our intention to distribute copies of the plan to each ministry head on the Parish Council for discussion with each of its reporting organizations. In so doing, the Council will be able to resume the process of strategic planning at the ministry level. Of primary importance will be the development of individual plans that respond to and complete the goals and objectives of the "Fulfilling Our Vision".

"Fulfilling Our Vision: A Strategic Plan for the Church of St. Leo The Great" was completed by a team consisting of our Pastor, the current and immediate past presidents of the Parish Council and St. Leo's School Board, the chairman of the Finance Committee, the principal of St. Leo's School, the Director of Religious Education and the parish Business Manager. The team held over a dozen meetings in the past nine months. The plan consists of seven strategic goals that, among them, address 72 programmatic objectives. These objectives respond to the existing St. Leo's Mission Statement and a Vision Statement that was developed by the Parish Strategic Planning Committee. Each objective identifies a parish group or staff member that is assigned the responsibility for assuring the completion of each objective. By spreading the completion of the objectives throughout the parish, the strategic planning process will involve a larger representation of parishioners through existing organizations and multiple ad hoc committees.

Strategic planning is an ongoing process. As the various goals and objectives of this plan are addressed and new challenges identified, additional objectives will most surely be recommended. "Fulfilling Our Vision: A Strategic Plan for the Church of St. Leo The Great" sets the framework for future parish initiatives - spiritual, social, service and administrative. As the plan is implemented, we, the parishioners of St. Leo's, have an opportunity to work together in "fulfilling our vision" as a faith community.

Rev William J. Sullivan Pastor

Peter Werner Chairperson, Parish Strategic Planning Committee

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Rev. William J. Sullivan Pastor, Church of St. Leo the Great
Sr. Dorothy Wilkinson, Director of Religious Education
Joseph Kielb, Business Manager, Church of St. Leo the Great
Joyce Redington, Principal, St. Leo's School
John Hohman, President, Parish Council 2000 - 2001
Peter Werner, Immediate Past President, Parish Council 2000 - 2001
Mark Matuzak, President, Board of Education 2000 - 2001
Francesco Genoese, Immediate Past President, Board of Education 2000 - 2001
James Kendig, Member of the Finance Committee

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"We the parishioners of St. Leo the Great, strive to provide a Christ-centered family, empowered by the Spirit, to live the Catholic tradition of word and sacrament, welcoming all within and outside our parish, by drawing all parishioners into a believing, worshipping, celebrating, and serving community."

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The following two statements sum up the vision of St. Leo the Great Church.

A Parish that takes care of its Parishioners
· A Parish that has programs to support the spiritual, educational, physical and social needs of all parishioners.
· A Parish that has the infrastructure in place to develop and implement the programs referenced above.
· A Parish in that all parishioners attend mass, other liturgical offerings and activities.
· A Parish that parishioners give the time, talent and financial resources to support the programs referenced above.
· A Parish in that all parishioners feel an integral part of the St. Leo the Great community.
· A Parish with a Sector Program that facilitates the implementation of St. Leo's mission statement.
· A Parish that recognizes the achievements of individuals.
· A Parish that has an annual work plan incorporating all of the items, referenced above.

A Parish in which Social Outreach is performed in accordance with the Gospel
· A Parish that has a pro-active spirit of cooperation between itself and other parishes of the deanery, other area churches and the community at large.
· A Parish that has a developed outreach program that responds to the needs of the global community.
· A Parish school community that has a spirit of cooperation between itself and other area schools.

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Presently St. Leo the Great parish has 1600 registered families. To address the needs of our parishioners there are over 30 different committees and numerous sub committees, which meet on a regular basis in the parish. The size and scope of this parish is enormous. The following obstacles have been identified based upon the discussions that occurred during the strategic planning sessions. These obstacles will need to be overcome in implementing an effective strategic plan at St. Leo's.
· Apathy of Parishioners (Unwilling to invest time, talent and financial resources, etc.)
· Inconsistent Leadership (Continuity of committees, willingness to serve, etc.)
· Increased demands on Pastor, staff and parishioners
· Need for continuous annual planning
· Absence of feedback and the establishment of goals
· Insufficient religious and lay leaders to meet the religious demands of the parish
· High parish population makes it difficult to obtain vision
· Inconsistent organizational focus
· Greater need to delegate responsibility

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	Goal I: Spirituality - To enable and encourage each parishioner to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
	Provide adult spiritual educational opportunities on a regular basis:
1	· Recitation of the rosary (Liturgy Committee)
1	· Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Liturgy Committee)
1	· Prayer chains (Liturgy Committee)
1	· Bible study groups (Religious Education)
1	· Prayer groups (Liturgy Committee)
2	· Family prayer in the home. (Liturgy Committee and Religious Education)
1	· Hold an annual retreat and/or mission and keep parishioners informed of events that are specific to parishioner age groups. (Publicity Committee and Evangelization Committee)
1	· Provide well-planned and organized liturgies through out the year as identified in the Liturgy committee's strategic plan. (Liturgy Committee)
3	· Invite different Priests/Orders to preach at all Masses on quarterly or semiannual basis to gain different perspective and give our priests a weekend off. (Liturgy Committee)
1	· Set time aside for prayer at all parish/school events and other celebrations. (Parish Council)
2	· Schedule year round spiritual activities, depending upon parishioners' spiritual needs and the liturgical season that remind all parishioners to be Christ's disciples in the home. (Liturgy Committee and Religious Education)
2	· Planning for, and evaluation of, all Eucharistic and other liturgical and para-liturgical celebrations. (Liturgy Committee)
3	· Provide an opportunity for the development of small faith-sharing groups within neighborhoods. (Sector Program)
2	· Encourage parishioners (youth returning from retreats, parishioners experiencing healing) to share their experiences with the parish during Mass or in the bulletin. Pastor to establish guidelines. (Pastor and Evangelization)
3	· Provide parish opportunities for parishioners to visit shrines in order to experience and witness to the awesomeness of God. (Friendship Club and Evangelization )

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	Goal II: Service and Activities - To encourage each parishioner to responsibly participate in the life, mission and work of the parish.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
1	· Inform all parishioners of the ongoing opportunities to serve the local and larger areas in service projects (Social Justice)
3	· Develop a comprehensive database of willing individuals that would volunteer their time and talents to participate in the life, mission, and work of the parish. i.e. rides to Church, Handy man service etc. (Pastoral Ministry, Parish database)
1	· Involve people in the Mass such as Lay Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, etc. (Liturgy Committee)
1	· Schedule yearly appreciation dinner to honor and thank volunteers. (Pastoral Ministry)
2	· Implement the Stewardship Committee (Parish Council).
3	· Have each of the sectors adopt a disadvantaged family. (Social Justice)
3	· Initiate a parish nurse program (Pastoral Minister)
1	· Recognize in the Scepter/bulletin, etc. accomplishments and service by parishioners. (Publicity Ministry)
3	· Create an Activity Committee and sponsor organized group outings for Right to Life, theater, skiing, sporting events, pilgrimages, etc. (Parish Council)
2	· Provide the tools and support parishioners need to fully employ their time and talents. (Sector Program/Parish Staff)
3	· Help volunteer groups to create a handbook which describes in detail the "who-what-where-how and why's" of their sphere of activities. (Publicity, Parish Council)
2	· Schedule every family or individual to perform an active, public ministry during one of the weekend liturgies at least once a year. (Sector Program)

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	Goal III: Financial Needs and Support - To assure that the parishioners provide the personal commitment and financial support to the parish.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
2	· Establish a consistent and clear program to inform parishioners of the financial standing and needs of the parish through the Stewardship program. This would include guidelines and information for giving and "leaving money" to the church. (Business Manager, Finance Committee)
1	· Annually provide a time for parishioners to renew their promise of time talent and treasure to the parish. (Pastoral Ministry)
1	· Publish quarterly financials with a comparison of actual to budget. Provide parishioners with an annual financial statement to demonstrate the financial needs of the parish. (Business Manager)
3	· Develop a plan to financially support St. Leo's School in order to avoid placing an undue burden on the tuition-paying school parents. (Finance Committee)
3	· Develop a comprehensive spending plan that would encourage parishioners to contribute for a successful completion of the strategic plan. (Business Manager, Finance Committee)
1	· Keep parish informed of parish goals and planning efforts so they know how money is being expended. (Business Manager, Publicity Ministry)
3	· Use capital campaign funding or debt to pay for any capital expenditure in excess of $25,000 on an annual bundled basis. (Finance Committee)
1	· Recognize annually contributors to fair share program and those who give their talent and time with a thank you call or letter from the Pastor. (Fr. Sullivan)
2	· Contact small group of parishioners at random during the week following a financial bulletin insert for their comments, opinions and suggestions. (Business Manager)

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	Goal IV: Facility Needs - To maintain and provide the physical facilities necessary to support the parish.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
2	· Major capital expenditures to be added to the Parish infrastructure (Business Manager, B&G, Finance Committee)
2	· Convert the first floor of the convent to business offices and remodel rectory entrance (Business Manager, B&G, Finance Committee)
1	· Resolve school basement flooding problems.
2	· Shelter basement staircase to ensure a safe exit route during inclement weather. (Business Manager, B&G, Finance Committee)
2	· Install a computer network linking the rectory, school, youth building and convent office to allow for efficient flow of information, communications and shared computer files. (Business Manager, B&G, Finance Committee)
1	· Develop a written policy for the proper use of each facility including the way groups should leave it. (Business Manager)
2	· Assure that an effective maintenance program is established for maintaining all facilities and grounds. (Business Manager, B&G)
2	· Encourage parishioners to participate in the daily, weekly, monthly, yearly maintenance requirements of the Parish (Pastoral Committee, parish database)
3	· Assure the availability of sufficient meeting rooms and that a proper environment exists for groups to meet. (Business Manager, Parish Center)
5	· Install bleachers in the gym. (Parish Council)
3	· Evaluate the need and useage for a parish center and the best location for such a center if it is determined that a need exists. (Parish Council)
3	· Develop a ten-year parish master site and facility plan. (Parish Council)

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	Goal V: Education - To provide a variety of educational opportunities for our parishioners.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
1	· Strengthen and maintain the Religious Education program by: (Sr. Dorothy, Parish Council)
1	· Provide continuing RCIA instruction for converts and any desiring parishioner.
1	· Provide study groups appropriate for varying age levels of parishioners
2	· Provide a variety of guest speakers throughout the year to further the knowledge of parishioners.
2	· Make available educational reading, audio, and visual material that can be borrowed and returned. Promote and encourage participation through the creation of a recommended reading list.
2	· Provide information and opportunities for parishioners to attend off site lectures, presentations, town meetings and study groups in other parishes.
1	· Incorporate the formal teaching of the new Catechism
2	· Form an adult education committee who will study the pastoral plan outlined by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.
1	· Provide an annual parish leadership orientation and training program to prepare the leadership of all parish organizations, committees and groups. (Parish Council)
2	· Provide educational programs for various parish age groups on topics relevant to their interests, e.g. parenting, durable powers of attorney, the aging process, death and dying, and the like. (Parish Council)
2	· Develop a parish policy manual and make it available to parish organizations and parishioners in order to maintain consistency in all administrative and related matters. (Business Manager, Parish Council)
2	· Offer educational training and continuing educational opportunities for the parish staff (Business Manager/Parish Staff)

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	Goal VI: Human Resources - To identify and develop the necessary human resources to sustain the parish and its initiatives.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
1	· Create a Parish Policy and Procedure book which would: (Business Manager)
1	· Establish job descriptions for parish personnel.
1	· Establish educational and/or experienced based job standards that assure Parish staff members are qualified to perform their designated job functions.
1	· Assure that Parish staff members are annually evaluated to determine that they meet the expectations of their respective job descriptions.
1	· Establish guidelines for the role of volunteers within the organizational structure. The guidelines are to assure that the periodic turnover of committee chairpersons occurs.
1	· Provide all the tools and support parishioners need to fully employ their time and talent.
1	· Develop a chain of command flow chart that highlights key positions and their filled or unfilled status.
2	· Develop a Parish Development Committee that would serve both school and church programs. (Business Manager, School Principal, Director of Religious Education)
2	· Maintain the Parish database and utilize it to solicit the backgrounds of volunteer's to identify their strengths as human resources. (Pastoral Committee)
2	· Establish a Volunteer Committee to recruit, retain, and coordinate the volunteer needs of the Parish. (Pastoral Committee)
1	· Communicate twice annually with every Parish organization to ascertain the state of affairs and needs of the organization (Pastoral Committee)
2	· Train the parish staff in the use of the parish database and make the information available to them. (Business Manager/Parish Staff)

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	Goal VII: Public Relations and Promotion - To develop and implement a communications program, that supports the parish and responds to the needs of our parishioners.
Years to Complete	Objectives:
1	· Conduct quarterly meetings with all organization chairs to review past or upcoming issues/activities and provide an open forum for the parish organizations to have discussions with the Pastor and Business Manager (Pastoral Committee)
1	· Promote the parish website as an information point source for the parish community. (Communications Committee) Include information such as:
	· Meeting calendar and room use.
1	· Upcoming events.
1	· Contact point for parish organizations.
1	· Have a specific section in the newsletter and bulletin that promotes upcoming events. (Communications Committee)
2	· Create a publicity committee with a Public Relations Director to coordinate all parish publicity needs and to assure a consistency of parish publications, promotions and publicity. (Communications Committee)
2	· Implement an effective parishioner feedback process in order to gain insight into opinions and needs, and respond to consensus concerns. (Business Manager, Parish Council)
1	· Publish names of young adults graduating from college and other parishioners achieving professional certifications in the bulletin. (Communications Committee)

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