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Eucharist

1.3 Eucharist – Vision Impact for Principle

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A vision statement is a short aspirational statement of direction for your Family of Parishes — the where we are going, and why we do what we do to get there.   

Once a vision statement has been drafted, it is important to validate that the vision statement provides aspirational direction and inspiration to all components of a vital parish. The Beacons of Light principles and vision points concisely define parish vitality. Thus, comparing your draft vision statement with the principles provides a sounding board to confirm the appropriateness of the proposed vision statement. The Principle Vision Impact Form is used during the Family Visioning Process and allows teams of Family staff and lay leadership to confirm your draft vision statement and understand what changes will need to come about as your Family begins to live out the vision.  

You can find the Family Visioning Process and Principle Vision Impact form in the Leadership 1.2 Materials.

Eucharist Overview: Phase 2

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The focus during Phase 2 of Beacons of Light is establishing a compelling vision for the future, one that will be the reference point that everyone in your Family of Parishes will strive for in the coming years. The Eucharist principle states clearly that not only is Mass the source and summit for the whole Christian life, but also Sunday Mass is the essential moment for building up your Family.

During Phase 2, leaders will discern, articulate and share your vision for your Family of Parishes. Then, as a Family, you will have a chance to consider what impact that vision will have on the liturgical and sacramental life of the parishes.

Phase 2 will also be a chance to continue forming a worship staff for your Family (to support your director of worship, already promoted from within or hired in Phase 1), as well as a Family Worship Commission to help your individual parish commissions begin to relate to one another.

Finally, you will be invited to consider some specific initiatives to help increase vitality in your liturgical life, including formation for liturgical ministers and parishioners, analysis of your Family Sunday Mass schedule and shared liturgical experiences for your Family.

“Create a vision for a Eucharist-centered parish, form a Family Worship Commission and Family Worship department of staff.”

0.1 Eucharist – Confirm Vision Assessment Complete

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To prepare for Visio Day, it is beneficial to have an understanding of where your Family of Parishes stands in relation to each of the vision points in the Eucharist principle. Use the Family Vision Assessment Tool to isolate which vision points are strengths and which need attention as part of establishing a comprehensive Vision for your Family of Parishes. See the Vision Assessment Tool. 

0.2 Eucharist – Reinforce from Phase 1

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If your Family of Parishes does not yet have a director of worship serving on your Family Leadership Team, it is important to complete that step before moving ahead to Phase 2.

Also, if you have not assessed your Sunday Mass schedule in the past year, it is important for your worship staff, worship commission, and pastor to do so. Here is information to assist you. After the next October count is an opportune time to again revisit this exercise, so as to help your Family grow in conformity to Parameters 4, 5, and 6.

1.1 Eucharist – Visio Day

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Visio Day provides an opportunity for your Family Leadership Team (FLT) to learn the importance of creating a vision for your Family of Parishes and how to best create, communicate and enact that vision within your Family. This one-day workshop will not create the final vision for your Family of Parishes but will jump-start that process and prepare you for the Family Visioning Process.  

Some Families of Parishes participated in Visio Day early in 2023. We encourage all other Families, not engaged in the Catholic Leadership Institute’s Next Generation Parish process, to attend one of the two sessions scheduled for fall 2023.  

Learn more.

1.2 Eucharist – Family Visioning

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The Family Visioning Process follows Visio Day and is a comprehensive process to create a vision statement for your Family of Parishes. This process is designed to define your vision, build consensus around the vision with key leaders, and assess the impacts of that vision for each Beacons principle within your Family. 

Refer to Leadership 1.2 for details on the Family Visioning Process.

I am convinced that Beacons of Light, born of great hope, will enable us to form stronger parishes, centered on the Eucharist, that radiate the love of Christ and joy of the Gospel… God has abundantly blessed our first two centuries and will certainly bless the next.

— ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR