This workbook is a resource for a parish's reflection on its life and ministry. It provides an orderly way to collect and present information. It is up to the appropriate committee and its subgroups to decide on the best use of the workbook. The committee's task is to create a parish profile.

The profile is developed to give a clear, accurate and comprehensive picture of the parish as it is now and a vision of the directions in which the parish understands God to be calling them.

The profile is a public document which is shared with the congregation and the Bishop. If it is being used as part of a search process, a copy is given to each priest candidate.

The committee may want to consider issues such as the use of pictures (church property, buildings, the congregation at worship, etc.), what type of cover to provide and how to produce a quality document (well written and typed, etc.). Other documents can be attached or photo- copied and included with the profile itself, e.g., recent parish plan, evangelization or steward- ship plans and materials, parish handbook, sample Sunday leaflets, sample newsletter, last annual report, etc.

The use of a trained parish development consultant to assist the congregation and committee explore some aspects of its life is recommended.

The workbook assumes that there is an open parish gathering at which the congregation engages in an assessment of the parish's life and ministry. Assessment forms may be filled out prior to the meeting. (See Appendix for possible forms to use or modify).