Parish Planning Process

What is the 5 phase planning process?

This organized process for developing and SUSTAINING AFF incorporates sound principles of strategic planning, collaborative leadership, and adult learning. No experts required ... members learn as they go!

parish planning process

View an expanded description of the 5 phase planning process (PDF)

What’s included the Gift Parish Planning Process Packet? (available for $15)

1.  Reference Texts:

  • Creating a Catechetical Plan: A How-To-Do-It Resource, Rev. Robert D. Duggan, S.T.D., NCEA
  • Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us:  A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States, USCCB

2. AFF Gift Guidebook
Provides the AFF team with a “GPS” map through the 5-phase planning process (as presented in the Duggan text) adapted to focus on ADULT faith formation planning.CD includes PDF versions of the entire Guidebook and the Study Guide for team learning (Phase 2), and Word versions of other documents for adaptation:  AFF Assessment Tool, AFF Planning Survey, AFF PMI Evaluation Tool, Team Contact Information form, Prayers for AFF Team Meetings.

The use of Creating a Catechetical Plan: A How-To-Do-It Resource, Rev. Robert D. Duggan, S.T.D. is reprinted with permission of The National Catholic Educational Association (publisher) and the NCEA Department of Religious Education.

View the Table of Contents of The Gift Guidebook (PDF)

Elmo3. Facilitation Tool
E.L.M.O.– A self-management tool for groups to use to maintain focus during discussions
E.L.M.O = Enough, Let’s Move On!

Diocesan Support

1. Orientation on using The Gift Parish Planning Process
Our diocesan staff will provide a 1½-2 hour orientation for a parish or group of parishes to effectively use the Gift process.  All Gift materials will be available at the orientation session ($15/Gift package; includes CD for parish printing. 

2.  Team Member Training
AFF ministry team members will profit from attending the one day of Pathways training which includes:
Vocation, Scripture, Creed and an afternoon session of Adult Methods/Facilitation skills. See the Pathways section for information on schedules/registration.

Find out more

To request information or locate an orientation session on The Gift scheduled near you:

Ordering The Gift materials

For all parishes who have participated in an orientation session on The Gift, additional reference texts,  Guidebooks, and CDs may be ordered using the "The Gift" Order Form.

For all other interested parishes, please contact Melanie Coddington or Bernadette Harris (see above) to arrange for an Orientation session.