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Strengths Process
2007-2008

After attending a November, 2006 Stewardship Summit at Marian College in Indianapolis, Indiana, it was decided to further study the importance of engaging parishioners through utilizing their Strengths when building a Spiritual and Vibrant parish. Following our January 27, 2007 “Day of Reflection”, a concerted effort to continue with a Strengths process in our community was made. The Gallup Organization was contacted and immediately a dialogue was established to obtain assistance from their Faith Based Division. Mr. Al Winseman, Lecturer, Author and Doctor of Ministry agreed to continue helping us develop a Strengths Development Process.

We have now successfully held three Roundtable discussions with our parishioners and have established some 30 faith filled individuals who have agreed to be part of a Living Your Strengths Pilot Program which will begin this September.

To continue with the Spiritual Growth, a three (3) day mission entitled “More Than Silver or Gold” will be offered during the Lent of 2008. The dates for the mission are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, February 24, 25, 26 and will be conducted by Father Daniel Mahan, Author, Lecturer and Director of Spiritual Life at Marian College, Indianapolis, Indiana. Father will preach the homilies at all weekend Masses. Through the events of the parish mission, Father Mahan seeks to provide the participants with the opportunity:

to grow closer to the Lord Jesus.
to deepen the bonds of communion in the Catholic Church.
to be more committed to the work that the Lord has given them to do.

Father Mahan emphasizes the four characteristics of a good steward, as taught by the
U. S. Bishops in their 1992 pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response. A good steward is one who:

receives God’s gifts with gratitude;
cherishes those gifts with responsibility;
shares those gifts generously, from a sense of justice and love;
makes a return to the Lord, with increase.

In addition, Father explores the critical themes of conversion and reconciliation, repentance, commitment, and mission, challenging his listeners to make each element a part of their lives.

Living Your Strengths
Introduction

Who? Collaboratively, Living Your Strengths really is for all of us! Experiencing Living Your Strengths can change people’s lives. It will certainly gives us a clearer understanding of ourselves and of others, of how uniquely we are created by God and how we can become stronger as individuals and as a community by learning to live our God-given strengths.

What? Living Your Strengths Journey is a process and book. We will be guided through this process with the help ofThe Gallup Organization; Faith based consultants. When you purchase a Living Your Strengths book, one of the first things you will do is to spend a half hour of quiet personal time with the Clifton StrengthsFinder, an outline questionnaire. When you have finished the StrengthsFinder you will receive a list of your Top 5 themes of strength, or talent. The Living Your Strengths book includes descriptions of each of the strengths, passages of scripture to pray with, things in your life to reflect on, and ways to use your strengths in ministry or service.

When? Pilot Program. It is our hope to begin in early October, a Pilot Program for the Strengths Journey. It will cover 7 weeks, with 30 participants.

Parish Roll-out during the season of Lent 2008, Following the Pilot Program, parishioners will be invited to participate in the Living Your Strengths Journey small group workshops and to reflect on the ways they can experience God’s grace through their strengths. Parishioners will be warmly welcomed by a group facilitator and table leaders who will lead them through the group process.

Why? What’s the Purpose? Help people discover what they do best. The Clifton StrengthFinder – an online assessment that identifies an individual’s five “Signature Themes” of talent – in their small church groups as an exercise in self – discovery and spiritual growth. The Themes are drawn from 34 classifications. Examples of themes include: Achiever, Connectedness, Focus, Developer, Harmony, Command, Impute, Relator, Learner & Woo. It is our hope to feed our personal Spiritual Health through Gallup’s Strenghts-Based Approach and that this approach will become an integral part of who we are, while becoming ingrained in the parish CULTURE and DNA, therefore, developing a stronger faith community.

Where? All collaborative group sessions will take place at the St. Charles Borromeo Parish Church Lower Level, Room # 6.

Information! Contact Dick Seitz, stewardship@wcoil.com or 419-222-5521

Strong in Faith & Spirit

OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION RETREAT HOUSE