ARCHBISHOP
The title of a bishop with jurisdiction over an archdiocese, which is the principal see (diocese) of a large geographic region. The Archbishop governs the archdiocese as an authentic successor of the apostles.
ARCHDIOCESE
A very large geographic region under the jurisdiction of an Archbishop. The Archdiocese of Hartford is divided into three vicariates: Hartford, New Haven, and Waterbury. Each vicariate is presided over by an episcopal vicar, who serves as the Archbishop’s representative in the area. Vicariates are further divided into deaneries, made up of parishes and other ecclesiastical institutions. Each deanery is presided over by a dean, which is a canonical position held by a priest who holds limited authority over the pastoral activities of the deanery.
BAPTISM-TO-FUNERAL RATIO
The ratio of baptisms to funerals in a given year. The key goal for parishes and deaneries is to be above 1.0.
CANON LAW
The law of the Catholic Church, which is different than, yet ceded by, civic law (federal, state, and/or local).
CATHOLICITY
The ratio of registered Catholic households divided by total households of any type in a geographic area.
CHURCH
In Pastoral Planning, the term “church” refers to the building, which serves as the primary worship space of a parish, as opposed to the (Roman Catholic) “Church,” which is the only Christian religious denomination directly descended from the apostles and presided over by the Pope, who also serves as the Bishop of Rome.
CONSULTATION
The act and process of the ordained and faithful providing feedback, assessment, and ideas to the Archbishop.
CONSULTATIVE STATEMENTS
The written statements of the ordained and faithful in consultation to the Archbishop.
DEANERY
The organization of parishes into a geographic area, from which a pastor is appointed to the Presbyteral Council, as well as a forum for priests to provide consultation to the Archbishop and for communications between priests.
DESIGN OF PARISHES AND SCHOOLS
A specific design of which parishes and schools are proposed to remain open, be closed, be merged, or be new.
DIOCESE
A territorial division of the Church comprised of all the Catholics living in a specific geographic region.
DISCERN
The exercise of knowledge, wisdom, prayer, etc. to determine the most appropriate action in a specific situation. In Pastoral Planning, our goal is to “discern” the will of God for the Archdiocese of Hartford.
EVANGELIZATION
The duty of every Christian to proclaim the Word of God, not just in words, but most especially in action, so as to draw others into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
FORTITUDE
The cardinal virtue and gift of the Holy Spirit that enables one to attain good even when suffering and effort are needed. It grants strength to overcome all obstacles in living the Gospel and to avoid temptation.
JUSTICE
Giving to another person what is, by right, due to that person.
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
The census block data detailing the annual total income at which 50% of households are above and below.
MISSION
In strategic planning, a "mission" or "mission statement" is a brief description of the reason(s) for an entity's existence within the context of a larger entity.
MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP
A term used by Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium ("The Joy of the Gospel") that refers to the manner of living he desires all Catholics to embrace: one that is characterized by a willingness to reach out to those in our midst who are in most need of understanding, assistance, and mercy.
PARISH
Community of Christian faithful stably constituted in a particular church or churches whose pastoral care is entrusted to a pastor under the authority of the diocesan bishop. (Canon 515)
A parish may include an array of pastoral ministries, such as solo or shared Hispanic/Latino ministry, Catholic school, hospital and nursing homes, shrines, chaplaincy, archdiocesan office assignment, and other responsibilities. Parishes with multiple churches operate with a unified pastoral council, unified staff, and a unified budget. Depending on the community and/or ministries of the parish, it may be staffed with one or more Associates or Senior Priests. It also may operate under the administrative control of a lay minister or deacon.
A parish may include an array of pastoral ministries, such as solo or shared Hispanic/Latino ministry, Catholic school, hospital and nursing homes, shrines, chaplaincy, archdiocesan office assignment, and other responsibilities. Parishes with multiple churches operate with a unified pastoral council, unified staff, and a unified budget. Depending on the community and/or ministries of the parish, it may be staffed with one or more Associates or Senior Priests. It also may operate under the administrative control of a lay minister or deacon.
PARISH DATA REPORT
The comprehensive research and analysis report for use during Step 11 of the Pastoral Planning Process and described in a separate Stewards for Tomorrow Parish Pastoral Planning Guidebook.
PARISH PASTORAL PLAN
The 3 Year Parish Pastoral Plan of parish structure, goals and initiatives developed in Step 11 that describes how the parish intends to implement the Stewards for Tomorrow Pastoral Plan at the local level.
PARISH STRUCTURES
The types of parish designs which may be considered for the design of parishes.
Parish: A single canonical parish with one pastor and one church, one Finance Council, and one Pastoral Council.
Merger: A single canonical parish with one pastor and two or more churches, one Finance Council, and one Pastoral Council
Linked Parishes: A temporary structure (not to exceed three years) of two or more canonical parishes, with one pastor, and multiple churches, Finance Councils, and Pastoral Councils.
Parish: A single canonical parish with one pastor and one church, one Finance Council, and one Pastoral Council.
Merger: A single canonical parish with one pastor and two or more churches, one Finance Council, and one Pastoral Council
Linked Parishes: A temporary structure (not to exceed three years) of two or more canonical parishes, with one pastor, and multiple churches, Finance Councils, and Pastoral Councils.
PASTORAL PLANNING
The act and process of discernment of what God desires for, or of, a parish and/or Archdiocese, described in documents, structures, and plans. Strategic planning is what you or I desire for, and of, a parish and/or the Archdiocese.
PRIORITIES
In the context of Pastoral Planning, (strategic) priorities are the top-tier objectives toward which all planning and actions are directed.
PRUDENCE
The cardinal virtue and gift of the Holy Spirit that is conferred by God which enables a person to control his or her conduct in light of the consequences - i.e., the exercise of knowledge of what ought to be avoided.
REGISTERED CATHOLIC HOUSEHOLDS
The number of households which are registered at a specific parish.
RESIDENT BIRTHS
The number of births by county as reported by the State of Connecticut.
SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN
The organizational development plan of a Catholic school, in parallel with the parish Pastoral Plan.
STEWARDS
People who assume the responsibility of caring for another person’s property, well-being, etc.
STEWARDS FOR TOMORROW
The "brand name" adopted by the Archdiocese of Hartford for the work of Pastoral Planning.
STRATEGIC
Planned actions directed toward a particular end result.
SUPPRESSION
Refers to a condition whereby the diocesan bishop decides that a parish or church must go out of existence such that nothing at all remains.
SUSTAINABLE
The ability to maintain a particular quality/quantity over a prolonged period of time.
TEMPERANCE
The cardinal virtue and gift of the Holy Spirit that moderates the drive for sensual pleasure.
VIBRANCY
A quality of spirituality, characterized by positive energy, that inspires people to engage in faith development and service to others.
VICAR
A person, religious, or clergyman who is appointed by the Archbishop to serve as his representative and to exercise limited ecclesial authority.
VICARIATE
The largest geographic division in a diocese (see “archdiocese”).
VIRTUES
The good habits that develop in a person as a result of understanding right from wrong and exercising those habits. Virtues bring only life and goodness to oneself and others when exercised.
VISION
A statement describing a compelling future state. All actions in a strategic plan are directed toward the achievement of an articulated vision.