1. EVANGELIZATION

a. To concentrate on the Eucharist as the center of diocesan life.

b. To initiate, develop, and support diocesan-wide evangelization efforts that will renew the faith and spiritual lives of parishioners, support them in their witness to Gospel values in society, and draw others to full participation in the Catholic Church community.

2. FAMILY LIFE

a. To foster the sanctity of all life by affirming and promoting the importance and sacredness of the family as primary witnesses to and the caretakers of the mystery of life from conception to natural death.

b. To acknowledge the family as the promoter of vocations and to assist families in their role of fostering vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

c. To recognize and support young families and young adults in their efforts to discover their role in parish life and live as active and involved Catholics.

3. FAITH EDUCATION, FORMATION

a. To provide spiritual formation and religious education that will enable family members of all ages to grow in the knowledge of their faith and appreciation of Catholic tradition and values.

b. To acknowledge the giftedness and diversity among the People of God in the North Country and to encourage the faithful to use and develop these gifts in service through academic, pastoral, and spiritual formation.

c. To support the diocesan Vocation Office and diocesan vocation efforts to strengthen parishioners’ awareness of vocational discernment as part of the spiritual development and growth of all Christians.

4. COLLABORATION/PLANNING

a. To create structures and processes that will ensure effective collaboration at the parish and diocesan level and to support parish efforts in this area.

5. SOCIAL JUSTICE

a. To encourage diocesan initiatives and programs that seek to meet the basic needs of all our brothers and sisters, but especially the poor and most vulnerable of our society.

b. To work to promote equitable salaries and benefits for those ministering in our local Church.

6. RURAL LIFE

a. To promote the integrity of creation by supporting sustainable living practices that are socially just, economically beneficial, and environmentally healthy.

b. To promote solidarity with North Country family farmers by educating our people about farm issues, the farm crisis, and how they affect our total community.

7. STEWARDSHIP

a. To build upon a theological and philosophical belief that the stewardship support of the Church, its parishes, and Church related organizations, institutions, and programs is important and an essential responsibility of every Catholic.

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Approved by:

Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
Bishop of Ogdensburg

 

October 15, 2001