Overarching Goals

Communication Goal

Communication: A method of sharing information among parish leaders and members that builds trust and supports ministry within our parish and our surrounding community.

Vision: The members of this parish feel welcomed, connected, engaged, and informed by a communication process that is transparent, reciprocal, and open-ended. Through effective communication, our parish is visible, present, and accessible to the surrounding community.

1. Trust and accountability exist between parishioners, ministries, and parish leadership.
2. Effective methods of communication connect and share information with the parish and the greater community, including: personal dialog, community gatherings, website, email, and print media.
3. By sharing Visitation’s core values, mission, and ministries within the parish and with the greater community, we foster increased participation and build our community of faith.

1. Increased attendance and participation in parish-sponsored events.
2. Feedback conveys that parishioners feel:
   1. They know who to call and how to reach appropriate parish leadership.
   2. Informed.
   3. Their opinions and input are welcome and valued.
3. Parish planning reflects a coordinated effort among parish leaders and members.

Community Life Goal

Community Life: Parish ministries and activities support our Core Values and Mission, enliven the Spirit of God among us, and inspire us to use our gifts to build community in the parish and the neighborhood we serve.

Vision: As a parish family, we respect and acknowledge our need for new life and growth. To that end, we provide a thriving community life here with inspiring liturgy and music that brings us closer to God, a social life among our community that nurtures relationships for all ages, and ministry that reaches out beyond ourselves to show the face of Christ to the greater community.

1. Ministries welcome new members into our parish family and develop a network of relationships for all members in our community.
2. Vibrant worship, liturgies, and music.
3. Visitation is a presence of outreach in SW Mpls – for community gathering and service.

1. An increase in social programming for all ages and varying interests.
2. Inter-generational events for our parish and the greater community.
3. Visitation is a center for community-wide events, such as concerts, voting, blood drives, community service meetings (AA, OA, etc.).
4. Visitation Parish grows in size, spirit, activity, and presence in Southwest Minneapolis.

Financial Stewardship Goal

Financial Stewardship: A comprehensive financial-giving program that supports the overall financial health and stability of Visitation parish.

Vision: The members of this parish are grateful for the gifts God has given us. We recognize that these gifts are ours to share and when we share them, our gifts will make a difference for others and our parish community.

1. A Stewardship Committee that oversees the financial stewardship operations for the parish.
2. A stewardship process for parishioners to make an annual pledge commitment to the church, including via electronic pledging, stock donations, etc.
3. A financial stewardship program that supports and promotes planned giving, estate planning, endowment formation, etc., for the parish.
4. An Alumni Association that supports and promotes donations, fundraising and planned-giving opportunities for the school.
5. A building use policy that supports and promotes revenue-generation resources through rental income from outside organizations that support the mission and core values of our parish (i.e.: AA, Al-Anon, music groups, etc.).

1. An annual increase and continual upward trend in the number of parishioners who share their financial gifts with the church.
2. An annual increase and continual upward trend in the financial stewardship amount that parishioners give to the church.
3. Parishioners and alumni use electronic pledging, planned giving, estate planning, endowments, etc., to make financial stewardship contributions.
4. An annual increase in revenue income that is realized through building rental income that is received from outside organizations that use our facilities on a regular basis.

Parish Leadership Goal

Parish Leadership: A structure of parish members that supports and exemplifies Visitation’s Core Values, Mission and Overarching Goals.

Vision: We are guided by a collaborative leadership structure that mirrors our values and is always putting the common good of the Visitation Community first before any personal gratification or goal.

1. A leadership development process that identifies, selects, orients, trains, and supports leaders in seeking the common good of the parish.
2. Leadership structure and accountabilities are clear to all parishioners.
3. Transparency and trust exist among parish leaders and parishioners.
4. Leadership discernment and decision-making ensures achievement of overarching goals.

1. Positive feedback and support of leadership structure.
2. Growing level of trust in parish leadership.
3. Increase in number of qualified individuals interested in assuming an active role in parish leadership.

Shared Ministry Goal

Shared Ministry: Having come to a personal knowledge of God’s gifts and God’s call to each of us, we create vibrant ministry to share our gifts.

Vision: We are excited to share our gifts with each other and with the greater community. We provide opportunities for action – programs that attract and invite the involvement of parishioners as well as those outside our parish, build a sense of unity among the greater community, and allow our parish to be a presence of Christ.

1. Parishioners understand how their personal gifts and talents can support the Mission and Core Values of Visitation Parish and the Church in the community in which we live.
2. People who participate in ministry share their gifts, serve others, and grow deeper in their faith experience.
3. Ministries support the Mission and Core Values of our parish and the Church
4. Vibrant ministries of all ages and varying interests reach out to serve the greater community.

1. A growing number of parishioners are involved in ministry that serves the parish and the greater community.
2. Feedback conveys that parishioners feel Visitation offers opportunities for them to share their gifts.