Handbook for Parishes
The Partners in the Gospel Handbook for Parishes provides guidance on the major aspects of parish life that specifically relate to the Partners in the Gospel journey: Worship and Prayer, Discipleship, Community and Hospitality, Missionary Outreach, Governance and Leadership, and Administration, Finance, and Infrastructure.
New sections will be added for each phase.
Introduction and Phase Zero Handbook
Introduction to Handbook: How to use, timeline, support.
Phase Zero (February 2024 – July 2024): Focuses on assessing the current parish, in preparation for the transition to the future parish family.
Phase One Handbook - NEW
Phase 1 is focused on getting to know each other; welcoming each other and starting to develop an understanding of each parish’s gifts, needs and hopes for the future. This Phase 1 Handbook outlines a series of administrative guidelines and recommendations, as well as ways to plant the seed for how to start to work together more collaboratively.
Phase One Handbook sections listed separately for quick access:
- Synodality and Partners in the Gospel + Discernment and Decision Making with Transition and Healing Guide
- Administrative Milestones
- Communications Guidelines
- Creating a Culture of Hospitality + Appendix resources
- Liturgical Considerations
- Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation
- Development and Fundraising
- Data and Technology Sharing
- A Community of Communities + Social Outreach and Pastoral Care
Handbook for Schools
This applies primarily on issues that specifically impact schools, from Phase 0 through Phase 3. Includes school finance best practices and school funding methodologies.
People Handbook - NEW
This People Section is focused on all activities related to people including volunteers, new staff structures, job descriptions, consultative structures, decision matrices and more.
People sections listed separately for quick access:
Checklists - NEW
These checklists capture the major activities of each phase:
Parish Transition Workbook
To help smooth the transition for parish leaders, staff and parishioners, every parish should fill out the Parish Transition Workbook to capture information outside the Parish Annual Report that will be helpful as parishes join together.