Outreach:

1. Evangelization:
   • Create a profile of the common Evangelization (reintroducing God) outreach activities among the parishes of the Family that target:
     • Past Parishioners who have left for various reasons
       • Researching baptismal, school and religious education records can give one a sense of who is no longer present.
     • Current Parishioners who only attend Mass on rare occasions
     • Inactive Catholics (not parishioners who have left the Catholic Faith)
     • God Seekers (People who may have never had Faith)
   • Which priority should these have? 
   • What specifically targeted programs (for each one of these groups) should be designed?
   • Create a timeline for when each of these programs should begin (Year 1, 2 or 3) 
2. Social Ministry
   • Create a profile of the common current Social Ministry activities within the Family of Parishes.
     • Where are the differences / similarities? 
     • How can we combine ministries to strengthen and/or broaden the scope for maximum impact?
   • Are there any additional areas of outreach that the FoP would like to develop and blend into their Family Action Plan?
   • Are there organizations within the larger surrounding community or within the Family of Parishes that would be advantageous to collaborate with on projects or permanent ministries?
     • For Example, “Churches in Action”
   • Should we be advocating for just policies that address social injustices as part of our social ministry? 
   • What are our “next steps” in both forms of OutReach: Evangelization and Social Justice / Ministry?

InReach:

1. Establish an Evangelization Team / Social Ministry Committee – Whatever name you choose for this team / committee, there should be an established group of people that address the evangelization and social justice outreach in the FoP. This governing committee identifies and manages all of the OutReach/InReach functions required within the FoP. This team will work in collaboration with the pastor, staff, catechists, liturgists, and heads of all organizations. This team can assist in addressing both the needs of outreach and inreach.
   • Discuss and plan how you will get this started or build upon what already exists.
2. Initiate Alpha in your Family of Parishes. Alpha is an 11 program centered on community, a meal, a video and discussion. Alpha is especially geared toward inactive Catholics and those with no faith community. Every FoP is expected to offer Alpha when the FoP becomes activated. The Road to Renewal, along with Alphausa, offers support and training.
   • What are the next steps in making this happen in our FoP?
3. Plan and schedule the Life in the Eucharist (LITE) Program for your FoP. LITE is a retreat experience that deepens one’s personal and communal relationship with Jesus Christ. The core of our faith rests in the gift of the Eucharist. It is expected that every FoP will experience LITE. 
   • Establish a date when this 5 part retreat will be offered in the FoP. The timing of this can be flexible. 
   • Training for LITE is available throughout the year through the Road to Renewal. 

Suggestion:

Connect with organizations such as Paulist Evangelization Ministry (PEM) and others who are committed to this mission then implement one or two suggestions. Their website is: Pemdc.org 

Need a form to gather all your parish data in one document? Download the OutReach/InReach Snapshot Worksheet here.