Our Collaborative Pastoral PLan

For the past several years, Cardinal Seán O’Malley has been asking the Church in the Archdiocese of Boston to develop a "culture of planning," so that we can become more effective sharers of the Good News. A major element of this effort is the formation of groups of parishes, known as collaboratives, to work together under the leadership of one pastor and one staff to develop plans for making disciples for Christ in their local area. The New Roads Collaborative Pastoral Plan is our response to this request from Cardinal Seán; he approved our plan in June 2015, and it will guide our of work as a community until June 2018. We are excited to share our pastoral plan for 2016-2018. Read about our three priorities below or click the green buttons here to view the full text or one-page summary of the plan. Check back here for updates on our progress!

Priority One: ​Actively seeking those who are not here

What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?” Luke 15:4 

​We believe that God is calling us to focus our energy and attention on finding bold, creative, and exciting ways to share Christ’s love with those who have become disconnected from the Church--we want to share with as many people as possible the joy and fulfillment that can only be found in knowing and following Christ.
  • Goal: Between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2018, average five new families or individuals connecting to our community each month--by joining us for worship or an event, or having a conversation with a representative of the community at an outreach event. 
  • Goal: Increase the number of families participating in preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist at St. Joseph from 60 to 70, and at St. Luke from 15 to 45, by June 30, 2018. 

Priority Two: Intentional Discipleship

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19 
We believe that the Church exists to make disciples for Jesus Christ. In our context, in which so many people know about Jesus but do not yet know Jesus, this means meeting people where they are and helping them develop a personal relationship with Christ. We believe that meaningful worship experiences and small-group conversations are key to helping people encounter Christ, become more intentional disciples, and grow to their fullest potential by discovering their vocation. 

  • Goal: Form 25-30 small faith-sharing groups (grade-level specific) for third-graders through eighth-graders and post-Confirmation teens by June 30, 2018. Twice a year, offer workshops on finding God, learning to pray, and worship formation to the parents of children participating in small groups. 
  • Create a Collaborative Discernment Team to promote a culture of vocations in the collaborative, with a special emphasis on promoting vocations to the diocesan priesthood, by September 30, 2016. 

Priority three: Work for Justice ​and Peace

Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’” Matthew 25:34-36
We believe that work for justice and care for God’s poor, marginalized, and suffering are essential marks of a vibrant and truly Catholic community. We cannot proclaim to others a Gospel we do not live out ourselves, and we cannot be Christ’s disciples if we do not share his mission of announcing good news to the poor and showing mercy to those in need. We find strength and motivation for the work of building God’s Kingdom in our celebration of the Eucharist. 

  • A hundred members of the New Roads Catholic Community actively participate (financially or through service) in two designated partner organizations relating to a single social justice issue, demonstrating our community’s growing understanding of the Gospel call to work for justice and peace.