As part of our parish strategic planning, I wanted to provide an update on the progress of our Facilities Pillar. We have decided to contract with a company, Encompass, to conduct a professional assessment of all of our parish buildings to help with the planning process for the next year, 5 years, 10 years, and beyond.
 
As part of this assessment, Encompass will perform an exterior envelop condition assessment of all buildings. They will review brick and stone masonry, other exterior cladding, exposed foundations, flashing, sealings, windows, and parapet caps. They will also inspect major mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, and air handling. Licensed engineers, a drone pilot, and technicians will conduct the inspections during the month of August.
 
Upon completion of the inspections, we will receive a written report that identifies immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs for all facilities. This report will assist us to prioritize building repairs and help with our budget process. Once the Facilities Committee has had the opportunity to review the report, we will share the information with the parish.
 
If you have any questions please contact Julie Bennett in the parish office.
 
Julie Bennett, Parish Business Administrator
952-445-1319  |  JBennett@ssjacs.org
 
If you are interested in joining one of the strategic planning teams, please contact the parish office and we will connect you with the current pillar lead.

Since the last communication about the Strategic Planning process, the Steering Committee (a group formed to guide the initial steps of forming a strategic plan) has been working together to revise the governance structure of the Parish of Saints Joachim & Anne. The goal of the governance structure is to increase transparency while focusing on important questions and issues to be discussed as part of the development of the strategic plan. Unfortunately, the planning process was delayed with COVID-19 as attention had to be urgently focused on the plans for operations of the parish and school in the new reality.

The Steering Committee was introduced to the Archdiocesan Parish Planning (APP) Committee, which is composed of volunteers and Archdiocesan staff. They were recommended by Archbishop Hebda and requested by Father Erik to help evaluate and make recommendations on the planning process. The APP is an advisory group to the leadership of the parish and can offer insight and suggestions on the process.

The Steering Committee has used the feedback received from the 2019 Townhall meetings to facilitate discussion and to design a structure based on the many important insights and concerns that were generated. After much conversation, review, and prayer, the committee identified our parish values and created new mission and vision statements. These are published on the front of the bulletin each week.

As part of the process, areas for growth, improvement, and alignment were identified. We are calling these our “Pillars,” and they are Evangelization, Facilities, Finance, Governance, Marketing, School, and Stewardship/Unity.
The overall structure of the Parish Pastoral Council was redesigned around these pillars, and subcommittees within the Parish Pastoral Council were created. Responsibility for the design of each pillar’s long-term strategic plan will begin with each subcommittee, be reviewed by the Parish Pastoral Council, and be approved by the Pastor and the Trustees. Please note the Parish Finance Council, School Finance Council (a subcommittee of the Parish Finance Council), and School Advisory Committee are in place and will continue in their present form. In compliance with Archdiocesan guidelines, the existing Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council, and Board of Directors will continue to be the governing bodies of the parish.

The Parish Pastoral Council adopted this structure and named the chairs of the subcommittees. The Steering Committee will be transitioning the future development of the strategic plan to the Parish Pastoral Council and subcommittees. For the process to move forward, the Parish Pastoral Council is seeking interested volunteers with the skills and background to develop each pillar. For more information or to inquire about joining one of the Pillar Committees, please contact the chair of the committee or Julie Bennett (jbennett@ssjacs.org) at the parish office.

• Evangelization: Yvonne Greenwald, pregprincess@yahoo.com
• Facilities: Scott O’Brien, scotto@tridentdevelopmentmn.com
• Finance: Kelley Thomes Ries, ktr@mchsi.com
• Governance: Kelley Gregory, kelley@kelleyjgregorypllc.com
• Marketing: OPEN
• School: Katie Geske, kgeske18@gmail.com
• Stewardship/Unity: Jose Borbonio, joseborbonio@yahoo.com

More than 300 Saints Joachim & Anne parishioners attended our town hall open-house meetings. Thank you for your enthusiasm and passion for our parish! Your comments helped parish leadership learn what you think are the most important considerations for the future of the Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne. They will help to shape the plan for the future of our parish and our ministries, including our Shakopee Area Catholic School (SACS).
 
From the comments and notes at the town hall meetings, we have identified seven areas for growth, improvement, and alignment. We are calling these areas “PILLARS,” and they will form the basis for our future growth.
 
Parish UNITY will be strengthened if we articulate and solidify a single parish community identity.
 
Inspire more active participation by current parishioners and engaging the Shakopee faith community through evangelization and offering the Sacraments.
 
Lay-out of a short- and long-term range recommended plan for our facilities after identifying the purpose and viability of all properties.
 
Longevity depends on developing a financial viability through a model that can support the current needs of parishioners, is sustainable for the future and is imbued with a spirit of gratitude.
 
Alignment of expectations and processes in parish governance in order to clarify and optimize the role and scope of the parish pastoral & finance councils, trustees, and supporting advisory committees.
 
Reach the greater Shakopee community through marketing and communication to generate awareness and affinity that lead to engagement with SJA.
 
Support long term sustainability and growth of our Pre-K through 8th-grade Catholic school.
 
The outline of our strategic plan is beginning to take shape. As this happens, we will form committees based on these pillars, and we will look to you, our parishioners, to become engaged in the areas where you are most passionate. We ask for your continued prayers for our parish, and for yourselves. Please pray for guidance to know how Our Lord is calling you to become actively involved in the future of our Parish.

Como parte de la planificación estratégica de nuestra parroquia, quiero proporcionar un reporte actualizado sobre el progreso en nuestro pilar de instalaciones. Hemos decidido contratar a una empresa, Encompass, para realizar una evaluación profesional de todos los edificios de nuestra parroquia para ayudar con el proceso de planificación para el próximo año, 5 años, 10 años y más.
 
Como parte de esta evaluación, Encompass realizará una evaluación de la condición de la envolvente exterior de todos los edificios. Revisarán la albañilería de ladrillo y piedra, otros revestimientos exteriores, cimientos expuestos, tapajuntas, sellados, ventanas y tapas de parapeto. También inspeccionarán los principales sistemas mecánicos, incluidos los de calefacción, refrigeración y manejo del aire. Ingenieros con licencia, un piloto de drones y técnicos realizarán las inspecciones durante el mes de agosto.
 
Una vez terminadas las inspecciones, recibiremos un informe por escrito en el que especificarán las necesidades inmediatas, a medio y largo plazo de todas las instalaciones. Este informe nos ayudará a priorizar las reparaciones del edificio y nos ayudará con nuestro proceso presupuestario. Una vez que el Comité de Instalaciones haya tenido la oportunidad de revisar el informe, compartiremos dicha información con la parroquia.
 
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con Julie Bennett en la oficina parroquial.
 
Julie Bennett, Administradora Comercial Parroquial
952-445-1319  |  JBennett@ssjacs.org

Si está interesado en unirse a uno de los equipos de planificación estratégica, comuníquese a la oficina parroquial y lo conectaremos con el líder actual.

El verano pasado, más de 300 feligreses de Santos Joaquín y Ana asistieron a nuestras reuniones de town hall. ¡Gracias por su entusiasmo y pasión por nuestra parroquia! Sus comentarios le ayudaron al equipo de liderazgo parroquial a saber cuáles son las consideraciones más importantes a tener en cuenta para el futuro de la Parroquia de Santos Joaquín y Ana. Estas ideas ayudarán a dar forma al plan para el futuro de nuestra parroquia y nuestros ministerios, incluida nuestra escuela católica del área de Shakopee (SACS).
 
De los comentarios y notas de las reuniones, hemos identificado siete áreas para el crecimiento, la mejora y la alineación. Llamamos a estas áreas "PILARES", y formarán la base de nuestro crecimiento futuro.
 
La UNIDAD parroquial se fortalecerá si articulamos y solidificamos una identidad comunitaria parroquial única.
 
Inspirar una participación más activa de los feligreses actuales y comprometer a la comunidad de fe de Shakopee a través de EVANGELIZACIÓN y ofreciendo los SACRAMENTOS.
 
Diseñar un plan recomendado a corto y largo plazo para nuestras INSTALACIONES después de identificar el propósito y la viabilidad de todas las propiedades.
 
La longevidad depende del desarrollo de una VIABILIDAD FINANCIERA a través de un modelo que pueda apoyar las necesidades actuales de los feligreses, sea sostenible para el futuro y esté impregnado de un espíritu de gratitud.
 
Alinear expectativas y procesos en la GOBERNANZA parroquial para aclarar y optimizar el papel y el alcance de los consejos, fideicomisarios y comités asesores de apoyo pastoral y financiero de la parroquia.
 
Llegar a la gran comunidad de Shakopee a través de MERCADOTECNIA y comunicación para generar conciencia y afinidad que conduzcan a la interacción con SJA.
 
Apoyar la sostenibilidad a largo plazo y el crecimiento de nuestra ESCUELA CATÓLICA de Pre-K a 8º grado.
 
El bosquejo de nuestro plan estratégico está comenzando a tomar forma. A medida que esto suceda, formaremos comités basados en estos pilares, y los buscaremos a ustedes, nuestros feligreses, para que participen en las áreas donde les apasiona más. Pedimos sus continuas oraciones por nuestra parroquia y por ustedes mismos. Por favor oren por guianza para saber cómo Nuestro Señor los está llamando a participar activamente en el futuro de nuestra Parroquia.