Diocese of Cheyenne Pastoral Plan

Download .pdf version of this text

Diocese of Cheyenne – Strategic Pastoral Planning

The Vision Statement for the Diocese of Cheyenne contains six primary areas of focus. For each of these areas, a task force has been formed to establish the priorities to be accomplished in each of these areas. We are asking for your feedback on these priorities. The task forces need your input as they move forward with defining specific plans to accomplish these priorities.

Vision: Liturgy and the Sacraments

To encounter Christ through a renewed attention/focus on our full, active, and conscious participation in the Liturgy
To deepen our knowledge and understanding of the transformative presence of Christ in the sacramental life of the Church
To give witness to our Baptismal identity as members of the Body of Christ, a Eucharistic people
To recognize and integrate into liturgical life of the church, the increasing cultural diversity of our diocese

Vision: Catechesis

Create lifelong, cradle-to-grave, faith formation experiences that will lead to changed hearts and renewed minds: a meaningful, personal encounter with our God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Form and equip a body of well-trained catechists
Individually and collectively support our seven Catholic schools in Wyoming to ensure their continued existence and success
Implement an accountability process to regularly measure, evaluate, and improve our catechetical work to ensure desired content (knowledge) and outcomes (behaviors and attitudes) are achieved

Vision: New Evangelization

Review and strengthen our efforts to sustain and grow the Catholic Community
Focus on Active Membership, Focus on Inactive Catholics, Focus on Un-Churched
Conversion & Renewal: Personal & Corporate Building Community through actions of:
- Service & Witness
- Public & Personal Invitation
- Facilitation of Healing
- Training (Catechesis)

Vision: Family Life and Vocations

To make Jesus Christ the center of parishes and homes through, community building and faith formation:
- To educate and emphasize to families and parishes the value and dignity of all human life
- To use faith formation, particularly sacramental preparation, as moments to catechize and re-engage families
- by exploring opportunities to bring all generations (and those in all situations of life) together for prayer, formation, and community
To educate, promote, & support the sacrament of marriage and its effects on family, church, and society:
- The Diocese will require strong marriage preparation classes in each parish
- To increase the presence of Marriage Enrichment in the Diocese of Cheyenne and make them more accessible
- To strengthen the Domestic Church
To create, promote and encourage a culture of vocation among families and parishes so the faithful can recognize and respond to Gods' call:
- To promote awareness and prayer for vocations throughout the Diocese
- To increase the role of the laity in support of vocations
- To create a professional vocations video to assist the Diocese in encouraging family & parish support

Vision: Youth and Young Adults

Youth:

Mission and Vision Statement – Define Diocesan-level mission and vision statements
Parishes – At the parish level, provide support and training to help parishes bring youth into the life of the parish
Programs – Put the Gospel message into action. Provide substantive formation in truth and spirituality
Coordinator - (Diocesan and/or Deanery Level)
Evangelization – focused on our youth with a personal call by the Bishop

Young Adults:

Mission and Vision Statement – address young adult ministry specifically in parishes
Parishes – encourage young adult leaders, meet their unique needs and involve them in parish life
Programs – strive to identify and engage the young adult presence in the Diocese; foster community
Evangelization – outreach to young adults using effective means (social media, etc.); A personal invitation from the Bishop to participate in the life of the Church

Vision: Stewardship

Move the majority of parishes to become stewardship parishes with active stewardship committees, enthusiastic tithing of Prayer, Service and Financial Resources by parishioners, and tithing by the parish itself
Move the Diocesan Stewardship campaign from the spring to the fall

Please provide comments and feedback by March 25, 2011 to:
Dorene McIntyre
dmcintyre@dioceseofcheyenne.org