Share your thoughts... starting a new ministry at our parish

[Em_in_FL]

So I’m jumping in head first at our ENORMOUS parish (around 4000 families) and trying to start a new ministry… mostly based on my experience here on CAF.

My original idea was a “Natural Family Planning support group”, with anything ranging from studying Theology of the Body to getting into the nitty-gritty details of learning NFP.
The leaders of the parish council and commission groups are totally embracing this idea and sent me all the paperwork to fill out that would describe the new ministry. They also suggested including some aspect of addressing the youth on sexuality… in the email one leader wrote:
I would like our parish to consider doing something on going and include self-esteem and “follow the crowd issues” for our middle and high schoolers. Have some sessions with Father and sons, mother and daughters as well as both parents and child. To me the issue of sexuality for our children is just one issue to support our families and their decisions. You might be able to reach and catch the interest of the parents while you educate and do something wonderful for the kids. I know the diocese has a sexuality program for the youth. What all it covers and how it covers it, I do not know. Thank you for allowing me to give you my thoughts.

So, now I’m seeking general ideas, advice, and suggestions…


First… what do you think would be an appropriate NAME for this ministry?
I was originally thinking something as simple as “NFP Support”, but now with the ideas on the youth programs I’m not sure that’s appropriate. Maybe something that entails the phrase “Be fruitful and multiply…”???

What about a mission statement?.. heck, I’ve never done this before!

Any ideas or suggestions on events or talks or support group sessions that YOU would find useful?

Ya’ll inspired this idea in the first place… help me make it happen!

 

[Jennifer_J]

Hmmm, interesting idea

How about ‘Theology of the Body’ Outreach?

 

[1ke]

Don’t define your mission too broadly.

The group you propose sounds like it needs its own focus and mission. This is geared to adults.

The programs for teens and middle school should fall under religious education and/or youth ministry.

Bottom line-- IMHO these are two different ministries.

 

[Em_in_FL]

Don’t define your mission too broadly.

The group you propose sounds like it needs its own focus and mission. This is geared to adults.

The programs for teens and middle school should fall under religious education and/or youth ministry.

Bottom line-- IMHO these are two different ministries.

Hmmm… interesting points. You’re right, we probably need to define exactly where to draw the lines between ministries.
Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Eucharisted]

Viva Familia would be a good name, I think.

 

[Em_in_FL]

Hmmm, interesting idea

How about ‘Theology of the Body’ Outreach?

I like that!

Viva Familia would be a good name, I think.

That’s good too! Only, I don’t want to give the impression we’re “hispanic only”… we have a large Hispanic population and I don’t want to give the idea that Spanish will be spoken since I’m uni-lingual! LOL!

 

[kage_ar]

Don’t define your mission too broadly.

The group you propose sounds like it needs its own focus and mission. This is geared to adults.

The programs for teens and middle school should fall under religious education and/or youth ministry.

Bottom line-- IMHO these are two different ministries.

Agree ten kajillion percent.

The kids/teens is under the direction of your DRE and or Youth Director. Get the ideas to them, respond to the message with “Thank you for your ideas, I am forwarding these to Mr Blah Blah and Mrs Such and Thus as this is part of their scope of ministry.” CC the DRE and or YD and then focus on your NFP Support Group (which is a FANTASTIC idea).

 

[whatevergirl]

Agree with 1ke. I will think of some titles. I wish you great success with this, EM!!!

 

[Nanny_PK]

Hmmm… interesting points. You’re right, we probably need to define exactly where to draw the lines between ministries.
Thanks for your thoughts!

I haven’t read all the posts but regarding what to teach to the teens, you could develop an off-shoot of your program and then present it one night at youth night – might be good to have one developed for the boys and girls to be given separately – just remembering back to when I was a teen. You could coordinate with your youth director.

Just an idea.

 

[SMHW]

As to the mission statement part…

Does your parish have a mission statement? If so, that would probably be a good place to start. You could say how your group supports the parish mission.

 

[Lil_M]

I’m really un-creative in the name department, so no help there. Although one suggestion that just randomly popped into my head would have something to do with Pope Paul VI and/or Humanae Vitae.

Just wanted to say it sounds like a fantastic idea! Around here I would gather that most couples only hear about NFP for 20 min during marriage prep, which is a tad late.

 

[Eucharisted]

I like that!

That’s good too! Only, I don’t want to give the impression we’re “hispanic only”… we have a large Hispanic population and I don’t want to give the idea that Spanish will be spoken since I’m uni-lingual! LOL!

The best way to come up with a name is to pray to the Lord. That’s how the Legion of Peace (an Eucharistic movement) got its name.