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Parish of the Resurrection:
A Profile
3000 Videre Drive
Wilmington, Delaware
founded 1969
www.rc.net/wilmington/resurrection
Exodus, A Parish History
Vision, How We Want to be in the Future
Mission, Our Call
Key Pursuits, What We Do
Principles, What Guides Us
Promised Land, The Goal of Our Journey
APPENDICES
| A. |
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Our Pastoral Direction Statement |
| B. |
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Committee Vision and Mission Statements |
| C. |
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Parish Involvement, Time-Talent -Treasure |
| D. |
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Current Budget |
| E. |
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Job Descriptions for Parish Staff, Essence of Council, Essence of Staff |
| F. |
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Parish Profile Survey Results |
| G. |
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Map with Parish Boundaries |
Published Feb. 2000
| This parish profile, like the parish it describes, is merely a work in progress. Within its pages, a reader will find a portion of our Pastoral Direction Statement (which can be found in its entirety in Appendix A) and a narrative which hopes to tell more about the people of Resurrection, where they have been and where they hope to go. |
Approved by Pastoral Council 3/5/00; Last Revision by the Parish Profile Committee:
April 2000.
Angie Grimes, Minnie Kochur, Mary McClory, Ciro Poppiti, Kathy Saturday, Dick Schwer, Mark Vavala
Exodus
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In the first days of our parish history, a time of social, political, and religious upheaval, The Parish of the Resurrection was formed as an Exodus community --- a priestly people set apart, a pilgrim people on the move, united on a journey to be church, inspired by the Second Vatican Council. Seeking to experience God's love, we found it most fully in each other, and this commitment to community gave our parish its personality. But like our mothers and fathers in faith before us, from time to time we wandered more than journeyed. Instead of being set apart for holiness, we sometimes set ourselves apart in pride. Yet our gracious God continually unfolds the Vision and even now is calling us beyond ourselves, and we respond. |
T he Parish of the Resurrection was founded in 1969 amid the social upheaval of the 1960's and in the wake of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Under the guidance of our first pastor, Fr. Frank Herron, the people of Resurrection held their first public worship service in June 1969, at Shue School, lovingly known ever after as “St. Shue.” The mission of this new parish – forming a strong Christ-centered community and serving others – attracted a very eclectic group of people, including many who did not fit well into traditional parishes. Among the approximately 200 families that founded the parish were those who were returning to the Church after a period of absence, former nuns and priests, those with interfaithmarriages and non-Catholics.
In the parish’s infancy, several Garden Quarter Apartments (now Abbey Walk) were rented to provide operational space for the Church community to function. The parish held a firm belief that the church was not bricks and mortar, but was represented by the community of believers and their “good works.” A living room of one of the apartments was set aside for a chapel and a tradition of having daily Mass, three times a week in the morning and twice in the evening, was inaugurated. The Outreach Closet began as a small closet in one of the apartments. Parish Religious Education activities were supplied from the station wagon of the Religious Education Coordinator while classes were held at St. Mark’s High School. After the parish’s first year, St. Mark’s was also the place where Sunday worship was held. The Parish reveled in being different and was known for its innovative liturgies which included some of the first guitar masses in the area, female altar servers, and one of the first sets of parish by-laws. Hospitality became an integral part of the parish and the Donut Counter after Mass became an important part of parish life. After Fr. Herron left Resurrection, Fr. Bernie Pagano served the parish as interim pastor. For 15 years, the parish rented space for its many needs. In 1981, however, there was a growing desire among parishioners to build a permanent structure. Knowing that the founding parishioners were adverse to even having a building at all, but ... |
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recognizing an ever-increasing number of worshipers standing in crowded Masses, the parish leaders and pastor, Fr. Dan Gerres, sought advice from the people to see if and how the church would accommodate its expanding population. While some in the parish vehemently adhered to the initial pledge not to build, many others supported construction. As one parishioner who had been with Resurrection from the early days said in his interview, “How can we possibly turn anyone away?” The first fund-raising campaign for a building, however, failed to meet its goal and the money was returned to the parishioners.
Eventually, a successful building fund campaign was completed; and, in 1984, the people of the Parish of the Resurrection, with pastor, Fr. John Hynes, dedicated a new building to provide space for communal worship. Classrooms at St. Mark’s were still used for Religious Education. By 1988, the parish was once again outgrowing its space. In 1992, the pastor and people of Resurrection launched a capital campaign, entitled, “Rooted in Faith...Growing as a Family in Christ.” Together with Fr. Joseph Drobinski as pastor, the Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, and Building Committee led the community, which had now grown to more than 860 families, through the many issues of parish identity, vision,and mission, in addition to space needs. The result, the current parish center, was dedicated in June 1996. It is as a community that this parish strives to set its goals and derive its vision. Painstakingly, major decisions are made after obtaining maximum input from parishioners. When the parish sought to define its vision, all were invited to participate. Over 100 men, women and young adults prayed, met in small groups and came together to verbalize what goals they believed the Spirit wished of them and this church. What led those first parishioners to create this parish is still a vital part of Resurrection’s identity. Indeed, a recent survey listed as an important aspect of our parish mission, a sensitivity to the parish’s history. (See Appendix F, Profile Survey) Still, the community does not live in its past, but endeavors to grow from it, attempting to learn from its mistakes and build on successes. |
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Recognizing our desire to develop a deeper spirituality, our need to grow in faith and share in the diverse communal richness of Catholics in our diocese and other Christian believers, wehave sought to make our community Christ-centered. Seeing in Him, those traits that we want for ourselves and our Church, we strive to exhibitChrist-like behavior in all that we do.
We try to be welcoming to new parishioners, holding quarterly “Community Weekends” where those who have recently joined our congregation are given a chance to introduce themselves, come together with staff at a social gathering, and get to know others in the parish.
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so we try to bring prayerful contemplation and praise into our lives. We seek ways to build faith, formation and spirituality. Whether one chooses to celebrate with the community ata special event such as a Saint’s Buffet, a program where one could explore the spiritual practices of various saints, or through a continuing prayer group or RENEW group, members of the community find many opportunities to grow in faith and holiness.
Desiring to emulate our Savior’s gentle love of all mankind and his respect for all God’s people, we seek a means to maximize dialogue and parishioner involvement in all that we do. Our Pastoral Council meetings and other committee group meetings are open to all who wish to participate and open floor items are welcome. Stewards are elected to the Council and assigned to represent a portion 1 of the community and are expected to seek input or receive comments from those they represent. Our music ministers select each week’s worship songs, but often acknowledge requests submitted to them through letters or the seasonal questionnaires that the LiturgyCommittee uses to solicit parish “feedback” concerning the liturgy. As Christ whole-heartedly listened to the voice of his Father, we struggle fervently to hear His voice, as well. Major decisions made by the Parish Council are made not by a simple majority vote, but by consensus. Many other parish changes have been achieved only through a serious discernment process, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance in what we are about to do. As with the development of our Vision or our building campaigns, other initiatives, such as determining whether guidelines would be necessary for small group activities and membership, are made only after prayerful reflection and much listening to what the Spirit is saying through the people. We know that only Jesus Christ achieved perfection and we are well aware that we, as individuals and as a community,are far from perfect. Yet, we know we must never stop trying to be like Him and honor His living Spirit in each action we take on this journeyas a church. |
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1 The parish is divided into four alphabetical groups, A-E, F-L, M-R and S-Z, Two stewards represent each of these groups.
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Mission
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The deeper our encounter with you, Lord, the more we will be empowered to reach outward in doing your work on earth, building the kingdom of God. Animated by a growing spirituality, we resolve to make a fuller commitment to OUTREACH , especially through one-to-one ministry. This resolve is expressed in pastoral care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of this parish, the larger community,and the world. |
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he mission of Resurrection Parish is to be a place that moves people to God.
One way we do this is in our liturgies which parishioners find alive and welcoming. Due to active parishioner involvement in the liturgyand the dedication of staff and volunteers, there is a rich culture of new ideas, lively song and joyous praise. During the Mass, a member ofthe community may share their commitment to Christ’s calling, perhaps as a sacristan, a lector, a music minister, a sacred dancer, or any of a number of other ministries. Parishioners enjoy entering the gathering space by greeting others happily, engaging in conversation, offering prayers aloud at Mass, celebrating the Eucharist with both bread and wine, and even leaving worship with a spirit of celebration. At the end of each Mass,worshipers spontaneously applaud as a sign of appreciation for all whohave contributed to the celebration. Our mission, to bring people to their Lord, needs more than good liturgies. There is implicit in such a goal, a need to catechize by example and by instruction in the ways of Christ. |
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The parish leadership demonstrates the importance of financial outreach by tithing 6% of the annual offertory collections toward our charitable response to the needs of the larger community. This includes assistance to people in need of emergency food or housing, as well as regular support of programs such as Jesus House, Emmanuel Dining Room, Sojourner’s Place and other worthy causes. In order to carry out this important mission, the parish created a Social Concerns Committee and funded a staff position to coordinate the responsibilities of caring for the poor by stocking a food closet, preparing and delivering holiday food baskets,and responding to requests from the community through our Outreach Hotline.
Besides offering four weekend masses to feed the flock spiritually, there is daily liturgy, an RCIA program, a youth and young adult education program, sacramental preparation, and a variety of adult programs such as Salt and Light or Marriage Encounter Weekends. |
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his parish is committed to building the Kingdom both within the faith community and in the world beyond. Five standing committees of the pastoral council, various subcommittees, and parish staff are dedicated to achieving the mission Christ commands of us: to baptize, make disciples of all nations, and to preach the Gospel.
One means to achieve this mission is through a creative and deeply spiritual liturgy. The Liturgy nurtures our parish family and is truly a celebration of worship and prayer. A dedicated liturgy staff and a committee representing all ministries meet frequently to develop ideas for improving all aspects of the community’s worship. Ideas are solicited from parishioners through periodic surveys and suggestion boxes. Lectors and music ministers meet often, practice, and continue to hone their skills. The spiritual growth of the entire community is addressed through these diverse liturgies, incorporating a variety of traditions from Sacred Dance to Stations of the Cross. Through liturgy, we experience the presence of Jesus in the assembly, the presider, the Word, the Eucharist, andother sacraments. There are also ongoing programs such as Lectio Divina 2 , Christ Renews His Parish 3 and Taizé Prayer designed to foster the growth of individuals so that, as a community, we are better equipped to live out the Gospel. |
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2 Literally "divine words," this is a program that stresses deep reflection of the Word and an appreciation for its effect on our daily lives.
3 Also known as CRHP or "chirp," this program has not been offered recently, but had been a great catalyst in forging male bonds and female relationships within the community. While this program is not technically “ongoing,” many past CRHP groups continue a relationship whether through fellowship or in an organized outreach program.
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Our liturgies strive for the “full, conscious, and active participation” of the assembly called for by Vatican II. One example has been a change in the format of the Prayer of the Faithful. To emphasize a need to pray for others, particularly the Church, the world, and those oppressed, the assembly is invited to pray aloud at each “segment” to draw parishioners’ attention to these areas in need of prayer.
Having experienced the Lord in the context of the liturgy and being fed through religious education, we find the direction, initiative, and strength to do the social work of the gospel, Outreach. From its inception, Resurrection has committed a significant portion of the weekly offeratory to charitable giving. We believe we are stewards of God’s gifts and have a responsibility to use those gifts to build up each other. Throughout the year, we feed the hungry at Emmanuel Dining Room in Wilmington, provide homes with Habitat for Humanity and give assistance to the needy who request food. We are partners with Christ Our King parish, participating in various programs which solidify our common Catholic bond. Our Peace and Justice Committee encourages parishioners to understand the reasons behind social inequalities so that we can “teach others to fish” rather than simply supply daily needs. Our parish actively participates in diocesan programs in Catholic social teaching, such as Salt and Light and Journey to Justice. We take seriously our call to service, outreach and advocacy as a means to build the Kingdom. The Parish & Family Life ministry acts as a well-spring from which refreshment and nourishment empower the family, resulting in a strong community bonded together to demonstrate Christ’s love to the world. By nurturing individual family units and sharing our own stories, we build up our parish community and enable it to tell Jesus’ Story. The Parish Family Life Committee does this through athletic programs, Marriage Encounter, Life After Fifty-Five and the weekly provision for coffee and donuts after the Sunday masses. In fellowship with one another, a Christian support structure develops so that we can become Kingdom builders. Even the place in which we come together to pray, worship, learn and grow is designed to lift us up spiritually. Reaching toward heaven, a glass spiral bears the likeness of the resurrected Lord, arms open wide and lifted upward to both call us forth and direct us toward heaven. Upon entering the Church, the baptismal pool is the first structure inthe Worship Space just as the sacrament of Baptism is the first step in our Christian walk. It is here that we enter the community and begin our journey with the Lord. The tabernacle is located inside the Chapel just off the Worship Space. This special place is set aside yet is at the center of the building. One must pass through the gathering space where we fellowship to reach the chapel just as the Israelites would have done to reach the Holy of Holies in the temple. The altar is in the center of our Worship Space to remind us that although we as parishioners are the Body of Christ, the Eucharist is where we come to be fed. We take what we receive in this holy place and go forth to love and serve the world. |
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In all things,
whether means or ends, we will be guided by these PRINCIPLES:
Accept our Shared Responsibility /
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In the preceding segments of this profile, a reader should be able to see those principles which light our path. In all we do, we strive to hear the voice of the Father, feel the presence of the Spirit and acknowledge the reality of the Savior. Before our meetings, we have deep and meaningful prayer, often accompanied by exercises and significant enough to be allotted appropriate time in the agenda. Our staff attends retreats, meant to refresh perspectives, heal frustrations or nourish ideas, and bring rejuvenated people back to the work of the Father. In all that we do, there is a desire to make certain it is not just acceptable to the parish, the diocese or the community, but that it be the appropriate, just and equitable thing to do.
We strive to hear all voices and views, and, as decisions are made, we keep these principles in mind. When the parish was confronted with an offer of payment for the installment of a cellular phone tower in the parking lot, the Parish Council prayed, reflected, debated, and, most importantly, considered the impact on the respect for Holy Ground and the surrounding community. Ultimately, the decision was made to turn down the offer. As an active member in the Pike Creek Coalition of Churches, Resurrection frequently participates in events with Skyline Methodist Church and Ebeneezer United Methodist Church, together hosting the Lenten Cross Walk, opening our doors to their pastors, and working together on services during Christian Unity Week. We choose to live out the ideas cultivated by Vatican II. We look for and expect the active participation of our laity, finding outlets for the various Gifts of the Spirit bestowed on each parishioner. We pay our bills, not through festivals or fund-raisers, but by the generosity of our parishioners, for we feel it is important to support the church and the diocese with our whole hearts and pocketbooks. Simply stated, we try to bring Christ to others by bringing Christ into every action, great or small. |
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Vision is born to give direction to the future. Respecting our diversity, we recognize that this sojourn is an on-going process for all regardless of where each one is on the path. May our own "forty-year" Exodus find us united in Christ, moving together, drawn closer toward the Promise: that state of being in union with God and one another. Then the grace of radiating Christ's presence from within overflows into lives of service to a world thirsting for justice and compassion. This Vision is theSpirit's Pentecost gift to our parish, a gift that must be unwrapped by eachof us, ignited in our minds, and burning in our hearts. Only then will the Vision become a living reality that leads us across The Jordan into the next millennium. |
W e seek to be both a Resurrection people and a Pentecost people as we go forward, seeking God’s grace, into this millennium.
Accordingly, we will strive to:Continue to nurture and deepen our spirituality by prayer; discernment; our parish’s commitment to vibrant liturgy and community worship; Christian formation of children and adults; opportunities for parish ministry and involvement in parish and diocesan programs; always prayerfully asking“Where is the Spirit leading us? What is the Spirit telling us to do?” Serve our Parish, others in need, and those who have less, through our many Parish ministries; our Parish’s commitment to an active Pastoral Council; Outreach and Food Closet; support of Christ Our King Parish; Catholic Annual Appeal. Evangelize and proclaim the Good News by deeds; internalizing the social message of the Gospels by taking personal and parish responsibility; supporting the Bishop’s program for “inactive Catholics”; participating in fellowship with other Christians through the Pike Creek Church coalition; and continuing our commitment to a strong RCIA program; sustaining our personal commitment to giving of our time, talent and treasury and working toward a personal and parish goal of tithing. Continue to seek, through the Mission Committee, input from the Parish at large through a process of prayer and discernment to better understand the direction that Our Lord is leading us to attain deeper spirituality and a fuller commitment to outreach; to propose a specific path forward for the following year to the Pastoral Council. Seek to implement the Parish Five Year Program as formulated by Pastoral Council after consultation with the parishioners. Continue the annual parish budget process which closely links |
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both the Pastoral Council and Finance Council in considering the pastoral needs and fiscal responsibilities ofthe Parish for both current and future goals.
The Promised Land is the state of being in perfect union with God and one another, which we hope to attain in heaven. In this life we, as church and as members of the community of believers of the Parish of Resurrection, strive to move toward that goal by first seeking to understand God’s plan for our journey together through the process of spiritual growth, service to others, evangelization, discernment and prayerful planning. |
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