Proceedings of the 2004 General Chapter  Document on Mission  Evaluation of Mission Effectiveness

Periodically we renew how well our ministries fulfill our mission.  We must evaluate the quality, forms and priorities of our commitments as to how effectively they serve the needs of the Church and the world (C2,19)

Each of us is called to translate the mission priorities into concrete experiences in our life and work.  The suggested process adopted by the Chapter 1998 encouraged individual and communal reflection on mission effectiveness in our various ministries and was used as the basis for mission evaluations and assessments in various settings.

The questions that follow focus primarily on mission evaluation and assessment in educational and parish ministries, reflecting the principal apostolic involvements of Holy Cross religious around the world.

Information

What is the level of awareness and appreciation for the mission and heritage of Holy Cross among our lay colleagues with whom we serve and among those served?

Formation

In what ways is this educational or parish community inclusive, reaching to the afflicted, and in a preferential way, to the poor?

How are adaptability and inculturation, so characteristic of our apostolic approach in Holy Cross, demonstrated in this ministry?  What evidence is that those we serve perceive us to be open and hospitable in our journey with them?  How has our openness and attentive listening to those we serve in this ministry led us to new responses to the mission?

What evidence is there that we are forming, empowering, and accompanying our lay colleagues in this ministry?

Transformation

How does the international perspective of Holy Cross, with its sense of wider horizons and the freedom to be ourselves, benefit this parish or educational ministry?  How are we acting in concert with the local Church.  How are we a source of creating and liberating energy in transforming the local Church?

What evidence is there that this ministry forms disciples with the competence to see and the courage to act--disciples with not only a heightened sensitivity to the issues of justice and peace, but who are prepared to act with these convictions?

In parish ministries, how do the pastoral programs provide opportunities for the parishioners to develop an openness to conversion, to turning to the Lord, and to dependence on one another in community.

In educational ministries, how do the pastoral activities (campus ministry, liturgy, retreats, service programs) provide opportunities for the students, faculty, staff, administrations, board members, and parents to develop and openness to conversion, to turning the Lord, and to dependence on one another in community?

How does Venerable Basil Moreau's vision of the family of Holy Cross find expression in the community life of those religious working together in this ministry?   How does the charism of family animate and inspire the work done together in mission?

Sponsorship in Educational Institutions

How does the province/district support this institution it sponsors--even if separately incorporated--in terms of information for and formation in the mission and heritage of Holy Cross?

How does the province/district hold accountable this institution for which it is canonically responsible?  As the sponsoring religious body, what expectations does the province/district define to assure that the institution remains at the service of the wider Church and in line with the mission priorities of the Congregation?

We believe that this congregational and provincial/district leadership may find these questions useful in the exercise of their ministry to evaluate our life in the light of mission.  Furthermore, these questions can be adapted for reflection by individual Holy Cross religious engaged in other ministries.  When used in institutional settings and where appropriate, the Chapter suggested that a written report be shared with institutional leadership and other appropriate sectors of the ministry.

                                     For more information, write: John Korcsmar, CSC