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Year Two Implementation of Together In Faith Plan
Monroe Vicariate

 Print 2008 Year Two Implementation Update

The Monroe Vicariate's Together In Faith (TIF) Plan approved by Cardinal Maida included several goals, objectives or strategies to be met by certain deadlines.  Below is the Progress Reported by the Vicariate Pastoral Council in each area, the Tracking Committee's Response, and Implementation Updates.

1. By September 2006 the vicariate will submit a plan identifying a single cluster partner for each parish, for implementation upon the reassignment, retirement or illness of a pastor.

2006 Progress Reported: Attached is a listing of the cluster partners that have been agreed to, thus far, within our vicariate. Negotiations are underway to finalize the identity of the remaining cluster partners.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The Tracking Committee appreciates the listing of potential cluster partners within the vicariate, however some clarification is requested.

• The December 2006 response states: "Negotiations are underway to finalize the identity of the remaining cluster partners." Since all fourteen of the parishes in the vicariate are listed, what is the meaning of this statement?
• One proposed cluster partnership, St. Mary, Rockwood and St. Roch, Flat Rock, crosses vicariate boundaries. Please report if any discussions have been held with the Downriver Vicariate regarding this potential cluster. Such dialog is required by the cluster guidelines as is the approval of the Regional Auxiliary Bishop. A proposal also is needed as to which Vicariate, Monroe or Downriver, this proposed cluster should be a part of when established.
• It is understood that as a result of a vicariate town hall meeting, St. Victor, Gibraltar, is also under consideration as a cluster partner with St. Mary, Rockwood, and St. Roch, Flat Rock. Please report the status of this consideration.
• Please report the progress of joint meetings between the parish pastoral councils of the designated cluster partners and the plans for informative meetings for their parishioners.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The vicariate submitted a new list of cluster partners, held town hall meetings and had discussions with the regional bishop, including a possible cluster across vicariate lines (St. Mary Rockwood, St. Roch and St. Victor). The emerging cluster partners that have had few or no meetings together need to strengthen these relationships. In particular St John the Baptist with St. Joseph, and St. Anne with St. Charles need to develop relationships for future clustering in emergency situations.

2. By December 2006 submit a comprehensive plan for vicariate focus areas including: youth and family ministry, adult education and the RCIA, charity and justice ministry and Hispanic Ministry.

2006 Progress Reported: To date the Vicariate Pastoral Council (VPC) has developed and is implementing a draft "plan of action" (POA) to implement the focus areas. To date, as part of this draft POA, the VPC has identified and established seven Standing Committees to address these focus areas, identified leadership for each Standing Committee, had each Standing Committee identify initial activities they will perform in the 2007/2008 fiscal year to implement their focus area responsibilities and has drafted a budget for performing these activities. The VPC has now submitted this draft POA to the pastors, principals, DREs and has placed it on our web site for anyone to comment on its content. The comment period will run through our February meeting, although only pastors and parish council presidents will be invited to make final comments at our February 28th meeting. A final POA will then be submitted to the Archdiocesan Tracking Committee for approval.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The Tracking Committee is pleased that the vicariate's comprehensive plan for focus areas has been completed and was submitted on March 6, 2007. A review of the plan of action shows clear establishment of goals, however, there is a need for quantifiable and attainable time lines. Please report the status of the plan of action and progress toward the establishment and tracking of time lines.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The Subcommittees have developed very detailed plans which outline the goals and budget for each focus area. In particular:

• For Family, Youth & Young Adult Ministry, a total budget of $1,150 was given, however this seems low given the challenges of ministering to rural parishes and should be reviewed.
• For Christian Service/Peace & Justice, it is very encouraging to see the attention to and resources allocated for Hispanic Ministry. St. Joseph has had a long history of service in this ministry. Other parishes will now help support ministry to the significant Hispanic presence in this vicariate, and this had been budgeted.

3. The vicariate plans to work with Central Service Offices and Sacred Heart Major Seminary to explore alternate methods for ensuring all catechists and religious education programs are certified.

2006 Progress Reported: The vicariate has worked with Central Service Offices. Joint meetings have been held with Clergy and Catechetical leaders. From these meetings, there is support for five topics being the basis for partial certification, with full certification upon completion of twenty topics. We concur with the changes made by the Education Department, with regard to partial and full certification.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The Tracking Committee is pleased that the Monroe Vicariate has worked with the Central Service Offices and Sacred Heart Major Seminary to develop a partial certification program for catechists. You are particularly commended for the establishment of a local catechist training program which should be an example for other vicariates. Please report the current status of certification, the status of training programs planned or underway, and the schedule to have all current catechists at minimum partially certified.

• A new goal for full certification should be established as soon as possible with time lines for implementation.
• It is recommended that a tracking procedure be developed which will ensure that steady progress is made toward full certification by those catechists partially certified. This should include recommended time lines.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The Evangelization/ Adult Faith Formation Subcommittee identified the number of catechists per parish and their levels of certification. The vicariate plans to offer the five classes for basic certification this year, and all twenty topics each year with the help of the local IHM sisters.

4. Submit a comprehensive plan for the future of all vicariate Catholic schools, using the SERF Vicariate model or another model with objective criteria, including financial support from all parishes.

2006 Progress Reported: Attached is a copy of the Vicariate's Schools Standing Committee report that details the committee's plan to implement the responsibilities of increasing the visibility and financial support for Catholic schools. The main emphasis in 2007/2008 will be marketing of Catholic Schools.

2007 Tracking Committee Response: The Tracking Committee acknowledges with pleasure the effort being placed upon the vicariate plan for Catholic Schools; it is pointed in the right direction. It is obvious that input has been utilized from a wide range of sources. Now the effort of the Schools Standing Committee should be directed toward the establishment if quantifiable and attainable time lines for implementation of the stated list of responsibilities. Please report your progress toward implementation by June 2007.

2008 Year Two Implementation Update: The Schools Subcommittee developed a detailed revision of the Viability Criteria to be used in evaluating Catholic schools, with a vision for providing quality Catholic education as a whole as well as in different regions of the vicariate. All pastors of vicariate parishes (those with and without schools) need to work closely with this Subcommittee and its plan. The Vicariate is to be commended on the work they have accomplished in this area.

General Update:

2006: The vicariate has not made any significant changes, amendments or additions to our TIF since it was approved. We are unable to meet the timeline of submitting our implementation plan for the focus areas by the end of this year. However, our present plans are to submit a detailed implementation plan for your committee by the end of February 2007.

2007: The Tracking Committee acknowledges the challenges the vicariate faces, and looks forward to submission of these more detailed plans.

2008: Since 2007, has your vicariate made any significant changes, amendments or additions to your TIF Plan? Please describe, including rationale for change, timeline and projected outcomes. Attach any detailed reports.