A brighter life with God. Take a moment to reflect on this statement. What feelings are ignited within you when you hear this? What does this look like to you now and in your future? How can this concept be incorporated more fully into every day of your life?
God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness are powerful forces in our lives, which allow us to move forward in positive and life-affirming ways. For those who already have a personal relationship with God, working towards developing deeper and even more meaningful aspects of our faith could be the focus. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to connect with God, now may be the perfect time to learn what God is all about and how his presence in your life can lead to experiences powered by love and joy.
God embodies love. Love heals. It’s very simple and very true. Making someone’s day brighter in some way expresses love, sending healing energy to both the recipient and reverberating back to the giver. It’s a win-win situation. At St. Agnes Parish, we believe that if each of us extends kindness towards others the ripples in the water of love and acceptance will reach far beyond our Parish. As light spreads into our community, seeds are planted to encourage healing changes in hearts and minds. Even small positive actions may have a huge effect. When the Holy Spirit is at work in your life, miraculous things can occur for you and those you love.
God’s love, compassion, and forgiveness are powerful forces in our lives, which allow us to move forward in positive and life-affirming ways. For those who already have a personal relationship with God, working towards developing deeper and even more meaningful aspects of our faith could be the focus. If you have not yet taken the opportunity to connect with God, now may be the perfect time to learn what God is all about and how his presence in your life can lead to experiences powered by love and joy.
God embodies love. Love heals. It’s very simple and very true. Making someone’s day brighter in some way expresses love, sending healing energy to both the recipient and reverberating back to the giver. It’s a win-win situation. At St. Agnes Parish, we believe that if each of us extends kindness towards others the ripples in the water of love and acceptance will reach far beyond our Parish. As light spreads into our community, seeds are planted to encourage healing changes in hearts and minds. Even small positive actions may have a huge effect. When the Holy Spirit is at work in your life, miraculous things can occur for you and those you love.
Our Vision Including Our Five Pillars
St. Agnes Parish will strive for balance in the Five Pillars of a healthy parish
1. Stronger through Worship
2. Larger through Evangelization
3. Deeper through Discipleship
4. Warmer through Fellowship
5. Broader through Ministry
We will also provide opportunities for individuals to develop this balance in their personal relationships with God and with each other. In our parish, we will meet individuals where they are at NOW, with expectations to whatever extent they are capable and comfortable to bring a balance to their lives.
We will strive to give each individual an opportunity to experience their faith to the optimum, given the individual’s potential. We accept that each person is unique. “Understand and celebrate your unique gift and others will be accepting of what each has to offer.” This will allow our Parish to be in balance.
The Parish goals - Youth and young families bond with St. Agnes Parish and St. Agnes Parish attracts new members and retains existing members - are integral to all pillars of our parish.
St. Agnes will be a home to each parishioner. We will support and provide opportunities for each parishioner to move through a life cycle of experiences within our parish, from Baptism to the final Celebration of Life.
Elements of sustainability, such as financial stability, a strong volunteer base, and sound leadership will be clearly evident in our organization.
Embedded within all pillars of our healthy parish will be our brand promise to make life brighter for one another. Members and visitors will experience a brighter life with God.
ABOUT OUR VISION
The vision for St. Agnes Parish is a clear picture of what our destination is in 5 to 10 years. Our vision focuses on a future that creates positive changes, while keeping everything we have now that contributes to a healthy, balanced parish.
Throughout our journey, we rely on the Holy Spirit who dwells within individual believers to enable each of us to lead a righteous and faithful life. The Holy Spirit is our comforter, one who intercedes for us, advocates for us, and supports us, especially in times of trial.
Stronger through Worship (In 5 - 10 years)
1. We build clarity into the design of our four weekend worship services to meet the spiritual needs among parishioners and visitors. The distinct character of each service is enhanced to bring out the best of all elements for differentiation.
These elements include:
- Music
- Ambiance
- Homilies
- Technology
- Physical setting
- A deeper understanding of the Mass
2. We optimize the new member experience. Building relationships with new members leads to the appropriate Mass choice that helps meet their spiritual needs.
3. We support parishioners whose leadership brings us closer to an optimal worship experience. There are opportunities for individuals to take their depth of understanding of the worship experience to the extent that they can.
Larger through Evangelization (In 5 - 10 years)
1. St. Agnes members have a deeper understanding of their responsibilities as Catholics to evangelize;
2. All St. Agnes members understand what evangelization is, and, the different ways available for evangelizing;
3. Members bring Christianity to others in ways that are comfortable and acceptable to them, according to their individual gifts; they become role models, offering
leadership to others;
4. Members are offered parish resources to support their evangelizing, thereby deepening their discipleship; and
5. We are a role model and leader in evangelization.
Deeper through Discipleship (In 5 - 10 years)
1. St. Agnes parishioners are engaged in planned, deliberate, systematic, life-long learning and teaching that is framed in the Catholic faith. Their journey is a commitment to deeper discipleship. They understand that our vision will change things in a positive way, and they accept accountability for making a difference in other people’s lives. They give as well as receive;
2. We welcome and support discipleship activities, recognizing small group opportunities as a means to personal growth; and
3. We enable discipleship to mature within each parishioner’s own learning styles.
Warmer through Fellowship and Community (In 5 - 10 years)
- St. Agnes Parish recognizes and honours strengths among energetic parishioners who (a) rejuvenate parish fellowship and (b) provide leadership examples to others;
- We are an inclusive community. We reach out and welcome those on the fringes of society;
- We appreciate our senior members and invite their involvement;
- Innovation is welcomed and encouraged; and
- We make it easy and natural for people to gather in small groups to share their faith.
Broader through Ministry (In 5 - 10 years)
- There is growth and diversification in our ministries;
- Families and youth are engaged in our ministries;
- Mentorship and succession planning is a natural occurrence in our ministries;
- Ministry leaders are aligned with our vision;
- Cross-ministry collaboration and communication occurs regularly;
- Ministries embrace new technology to support ministry growth;
- Ministries focus first on quality, then on quantity;
- Leadership development occurs in a planned, systematic way;
- Leaders formally develop annual plans aligned with, and committed to, the vision;
- Parishioners understand the role of Parish ministries;
- Everyone feels welcome to participate; and
- A Next Gen Ministry flourishes.
St. Agnes Parish Senior Leadership Team
Background
St. Agnes Parish joined the Divine Renovation Network more than 3 years ago. The Network is a global organization of member parishes around the Globe that are striving for transformation into healthy, vibrant parishes with a mission. The Network is focused on (1) Evangelization through outreach and mission (2) the Holy Spirit and (3) Parish Leadership. The Divine Renovation Network was founded by St. Benedict’s Parish in Halifax.
An early recommendation from the Network to Fr. James Panikulam, priest of St. Agnes Parish, was to establish a Senior Leadership Team of 3 to 5 parishioners, each with a specific skill set. Collectively these individuals would have a balance of strengths that assist the pastor in thinking through decisions to transform the parish from maintenance mode to missionary mode.
Mandate
St. Agnes Parish joined the Divine Renovation Network more than 3 years ago. The Network is a global organization of member parishes around the Globe that are striving for transformation into healthy, vibrant parishes with a mission. The Network is focused on (1) Evangelization through outreach and mission (2) the Holy Spirit and (3) Parish Leadership. The Divine Renovation Network was founded by St. Benedict’s Parish in Halifax.
An early recommendation from the Network to Fr. James Panikulam, priest of St. Agnes Parish, was to establish a Senior Leadership Team of 3 to 5 parishioners, each with a specific skill set. Collectively these individuals would have a balance of strengths that assist the pastor in thinking through decisions to transform the parish from maintenance mode to missionary mode.
Mandate
- Provide strategic direction for parish renewal, mid-term to long-term
- Build support for the Pastor’s vision for the Parish.
- Leadership development
- Develop and build support for the brand promise
- Provide continuity in processes and connectivity throughout the Parish
- Address current issues and recommend solutions, at the Pastor’s request.
Meetings
The Team meets with Fr. James twice each month.
The Team meets with Fr. James twice each month.
Senior Leadership Team: Father James Panikulam, Cindy Jarvela, Donica LeBlanc, Brian Ktytor, Beatrice Metzler
Collectively they are strategic in their thinking, relationship builders, and can execute ideas to make things happen. This is a well-rounded team that is unified in its commitment to the pastor’s vision.
Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council is appointed by the Parish Pastor as his advisory partner on Parish financial affairs.
The Council follows Christian principles of stewardship, fosters a sense of ownership of the Parish and the Diocese, assists in setting financial priorities, and making decisions according to best practices.
Each member brings expertise that will assist in attaining a high degree of efficiency and effectiveness.
Duties and Responsibilities:
St. Agnes Finance Council Members:
The Council follows Christian principles of stewardship, fosters a sense of ownership of the Parish and the Diocese, assists in setting financial priorities, and making decisions according to best practices.
Each member brings expertise that will assist in attaining a high degree of efficiency and effectiveness.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and maintain accurate financial records for income, expenses, and payroll while following government regulations;
- Prepare an annual budget of income and expenditures;
- Review and monitor the budget regularly and report to the Parish;
- Meet at least quarterly and maintain accurate records of their proceedings.
St. Agnes Finance Council Members:
- Fr. James Panikulam
- Al Tennant, Chair
- Marcel Gagnon, CPA, CA
- Gerrie Tennant
- Janice Baker, Administrator
Property Council
Team Leader: Karl Schulzki
The Property Council is the steward of the overall church facility. This includes the church, rectory, garage, parking, and grounds.
Council members ensure that all parts of the facility are well maintained and comply with building code standards, including electrical, heating, and plumbing, as well as fire code requirements and health & safety regulations.
They identify needed repairs or replacements, obtain quotes on purchases of parts and labour, and determine the best option to effectively address the issues.
They are also responsive to physical plant needs identified by parishioners and our ministries.
Before moving forward on projects, large or small, the Council ensures they liaise with the Finance Council, Parish Council, or parishioners. Although they are authorized to recommend the best course of action, the parish priest makes the final decision.
St. Agnes is fortunate to have many parishioners with a variety of skilled trades who often generously donate their time to parish work projects. Often, it is the Property Council members themselves who take on the projects as their way of donating to the well-being of our beautiful and functional parish.
The Property Council is the steward of the overall church facility. This includes the church, rectory, garage, parking, and grounds.
Council members ensure that all parts of the facility are well maintained and comply with building code standards, including electrical, heating, and plumbing, as well as fire code requirements and health & safety regulations.
They identify needed repairs or replacements, obtain quotes on purchases of parts and labour, and determine the best option to effectively address the issues.
They are also responsive to physical plant needs identified by parishioners and our ministries.
Before moving forward on projects, large or small, the Council ensures they liaise with the Finance Council, Parish Council, or parishioners. Although they are authorized to recommend the best course of action, the parish priest makes the final decision.
St. Agnes is fortunate to have many parishioners with a variety of skilled trades who often generously donate their time to parish work projects. Often, it is the Property Council members themselves who take on the projects as their way of donating to the well-being of our beautiful and functional parish.
Communications Council
This team is comprised of parishioners with specific areas of communication expertise, including website design, information technology, graphics, social media, media relations, professional writing, and promotion.
Their role is to support the Pastor, ministry leaders, program/project leaders in effective and timely communication both internally (within and among parishioners) and externally (public).
They are also both the champions and guardians of the Parish brand, ensuring that all communication reflects the brand. Brand includes the Parish brand ideal, language, tone, logo and visual system, typography, visual identity elements, as well as colours. All this helps ensure consistency of messaging.
Their role is to support the Pastor, ministry leaders, program/project leaders in effective and timely communication both internally (within and among parishioners) and externally (public).
They are also both the champions and guardians of the Parish brand, ensuring that all communication reflects the brand. Brand includes the Parish brand ideal, language, tone, logo and visual system, typography, visual identity elements, as well as colours. All this helps ensure consistency of messaging.
Brittany Vescio (Chair)
Members: Katherine Bruneau, Beatrice Metzler, Wanda Major, Henry Connor
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St. Agnes Parish
1019 Brown Street Thunder Bay, ON P7E 2L7 Office Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 9:00 am until 4:00 pm Phone | (807)475-7489 Fax | (807)577-8820 Email | [email protected] |
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