Steering Group Update
May 4, 2008
The Steering Group met once again on Tuesday morning of this past week. Topics discussed included both communication and planning.
Communication
In the area of communication, it was decided that the key method of communication shall continue to be the parish bulletin. When communication items are larger, a bulletin insert will be prepared for circulation. Other media will be used when deemed appropriate. Communications work involves both ongoing items such as weekly bulletin updates and other work in the area of presentations, reports, etc. Planning work led to reflection on the pastoral needs of the parish. This continues to be the basis of the work of the Steering Group. With these needs in mind, the group worked through details regarding some key areas under review:
Demographics
Within demographics, information was shared regarding the declining nature of our population – we are losing about 110 parishioners per year according to recent statistics from the Regional Municipality. These same statistics show us that the geographical area that the parish covers is the most rapidly declining area of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Parish Census
With about 622 census forms completed, we know that not all parishioners have registered. There was lots of discussion on the necessity of knowing who it is that the parish needs to be prepared to serve. Some planning is underway to try and increase the response rate regarding the Parish Census. Each of you can help in that regard. If you have not completed your registration form, please make an effort to do so as soon as possible. If you have completed your registration, perhaps you could encourage others to do the same. Working together, we can get a fuller snapshot of who the Parish of Saint Leonard works to serve. As you can imagine, these numbers are critically important to the planning work.
Financial Analysis
Work within the area of finances is progressing. The financial picture from the last couple of years is being condensed in order to allow for financial projections to be completed.
Assets – Current Status of Buildings, etc.
Work continues regarding the existing structures. Consolidating information from a variety of sources, and filling in some gaps, we are making progress on gaining a full understanding of the state of our worship structures and the spaces that surround them.
The Steering Group will reconvene next week. In the interim, Working Group members will continue to move specific tasks forward.
