One Nativity 2035

One Nativity 2035 is a team of parishioners, staff and clergy who are collaborating to identify ways to build on what is working well at Nativity today and strengthen other areas to better communicate, bolster, and sustain our parish mission. One Nativity kicked off in July 2019 and concluded its work in the spring of 2020.

• Learn more in the F.A.Q. below.
• Read our One Nativity 2035 Update (1/5/2020)

The One Nativity team hosted two Parish Discussion Events in late October open to all parishioners. More than 90 parishioners shared their ideas and insights on our strengths as a parish community as well as ideas on what to do differently to more fully live out the parish mission.

The team also asked the Pastoral Council, School Advisory Council, and the parish staff to reflect on the ideas and insights from parishioners and provide additional input on their vision for Nativity as well as what they see as key challenges facing the parish today and into the future.

With input from more than 150 individuals across the parish, the One Nativity team is engaged in a series strategic planning workshops to further clarify a vision for what the parish can expect to see in place in the next 3-5 years. This work includes outlining priorities and an action plan for the next year and beyond.

Front row (seated) from left:

• Claire Noble - County Fair Chair Emeritus
• Fr. Nick Hagen - Parochial Vicar
• Sam Paske - School Advisory Council Vice Chair
• Andy Pieper - Pastoral Council
• Erik Thurman - Co-Chair
• Jerry Brennan - Co-Chair, Trustee, Finance Council
• Katie Schaitberger - Parish Director of Faith Formation, Urban Catholic

Back row (standing), from left:

• (June Klaphake - Facilitator)
• Tom Margarit - Finance Council
• Joey Utvik - Parishioner at large
• Suzi Kim Scott - Parishioner at large
• Tim Ticcioni - Finance Council, School Advisory Council
• Agnes King - Parishioner at large
• Patsy Piazza - School Advisory Council
• Jenny Nash - Pastoral Council Chair Emeritus
• Sandy Kane - School Assistant Principal
• Laura Barr - Parish Business Administrator
• Dan Flanagan - Trustee, Pastoral Council, Building and Grounds Committee
• Isaac Huss - Parish Director of Communications and Marketing
• Nancy Johnson - Parishioner at large
• Kate Wollan - School Principal

• Fr. Patrick Hipwell - Pastor
• Joshua Cunningham - Pastoral Council Chair
• Patrick Henning - Parish Director of Liturgy and Music
• Andrea Chinchilla - Pastoral Council
• Brian Wenger - Parishioner at large

One Nativity 2035 is collaboration of the clergy, parishioners, and staff of Nativity of Our Lord to identify and recommend ways to better communicate, bolster, and sustain our parish mission in service of this vibrant Catholic community — today and well into the future.

In partnership with our lay trustees, Jerry Brennan and Dan Flanagan, as well as our school principal Kate Wollan, our pastor Fr. Patrick Hipwell launched One Nativity 2035 in July of 2019 and identified 22 individuals to best represent our entire parish from the pastoral council, school advisory council, and finance council, as well as the parish staff, lay organizations, and at-large parish members.
 
The members of this team have been active in our parish and school and represent a wide breadth of our community. They will assist the trustees, in collaboration with the pastoral council, school advisory council, finance council, and parish staff, to better understand our challenges and better take advantage of our opportunities.


 

Why is One Nativity 2035 needed?

With a clear mission statement and continued commitment to ensure we remain a vibrant Catholic community, the next step was to look carefully at how we live out our mission statement through our ministries and programs we offer — and in particular Nativity School — and how we prioritize and fund programs in support of that mission. 

 
Who is involved?

The One Nativity task force is comprised of 22 individuals who are active in our parish and school and represent a wide breadth of our community.  Each of our parish and school council organizations and staff are represented to ensure that the work and ideas of these groups are considered. 
 

What is the team doing?

The One Nativity team meets monthly to learn about and discuss best practices from across the parish and larger Archdiocesan community. They will be reviewing opportunities, input, and ideas to formulate recommendations about how to live out and demonstrate Nativity’s mission within our parish, school, and community.
 
This has included:

• School and parish leaders presenting the parish’s governance structure and current priorities along with a financial overview.
• The Catholic Community Foundation and Catholic Schools Center of Excellence sharing best practices in the Archdiocese. 
• Parish leaders from organizations such as the Men's Club, NCCW, and St. Vincent de Paul outlining current programs and goals, trends, and opportunities for the future.
• A half-day retreat to prayerfully reflect on and seek God’s will in the team's work on behalf of the larger parish community.
• Four working sessions to clarify a 3-5 year vision, identify current challenges and strategies, and an action plan to intentionally move toward the vision.
• Hosting and attending Parish Discussion Events and considering parishioner and staff input.

What is the intended outcome?

By early 2020, we expect to have a recommended plan of parish-wide priorities, including how to best staff and fund programs that support our parish mission statement.