WHY A VISION STATEMENT?  A Mission Statement focuses on what has to be done.  The Vision Statement focuses on where we are going as a parish.  Authentic mission is always about going somewhere, not just about what we ought to be doing.  Think of it this way:  Our Christian life is meant to be a journey.  To use a metaphor: We disciples of Jesus are all on the “bus.”  The Mission Statement (fostering the presence of Christ; growing disciples for the Lord Jesus) is the bus we are on.  The Vision Statement is the SIGN on the bus, telling us where we are going. 

In his book Divine Renovation, Father James Mallon states: “Only when we have a crazy passion about the future will we have a vision that inspires others.”  “Crazy passion about the future…”  Are we passionate about our future?  Do we see a day when the Kingdom of God is growing right here on earth because we are reaching out in love, sharing the hope and healing that come from Christ? 

Imagine it… Imagine a day when each of us plays a part in transforming lives by introducing people to the Living Presence of Jesus.  Wouldn’t that be the answer to our prayers for loved ones?  Wouldn’t it be the answer to our prayers for this parish and our community?  Couldn’t it transform the world?  This is our Vision.  It’s a future to be excited about!  And our future has a roadmap.  We will live out the parish Vision in 5 ways: Worship, Grow, Serve, Connect and Give.  

Our Parish Stewardship Prayer helps give voice to fulfilling this Vision.  Please pray it for yourself, your loved ones and everyone who is blessed to be part of Saint Joseph Parish:
 

Stewardship Prayer
My parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is.
It will be friendly, if I am. It will be holy, if I am.
Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them.
It will do great work, if I work. It will be prayerful, if I pray.
It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver.
It will bring others into worship, if I invite and bring them in.
It will be a place of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith,
of compassion, charity and mercy, if I, who make it what it is,
am filled with these same things.
Therefore, with the help of God, I now dedicate myself to the task
of being all the things that I want my parish to be.  Amen.