Principles for the community and our parish in ministry, but also great principles for life in the world.
THY WILL BE DONE – Are we completely giving ourselves over to God’s will? And embracing the high adventure of His plan, over our plan, wherever that may lead?
LOVE OUR PEOPLE – Are we loving our people above all else and as if they are Jesus in disguise? Are we detached from things, money, power, honor and comfort, so we are free to love people most fully? Are we helping each person take one step closer to reaching their own dreams in this world and becoming a saint in the next?
DELIGHT and SURPRISE – Are we doing everything that is expected of us…plus more? And delivering joyful, radical service that delights and surprises?
KEEP IT SIMPLE – Do we relentlessly simplify our processes and solutions, so we stay lean rather than cluttered or slowed by the unimportant? Are we continually asking, “What would this look like if it were simplified?”
RADICAL FOCUS – Do we know who we are? Are we focused on the mission? Are we willing to give up everything non-essential? Are we able to cut through the distractions, noise, and busy-ness and just do the hard work that really matters?
GIVE MY BEST – Am I being a good steward of God’s gifts, working hard, taking initiative, and always giving my best?
CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT – Is this making us better versions of ourselves? Are we committed to excellence, accountability, understanding the why, and getting better every single day? Are we more disciplined, smart, virtuous, prayerful, faithful, and effective today than we were yesterday?
BE GENEROUS – Are we generous with our gratitude, time, patience, mercy, forgiveness, optimism, and kindness? When in doubt, be generous.
GREATER THAN THE SUM – “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot. Together we can do great things.” — Saint (Mother) Teresa
LEAVE ROOM – Work is a means to an end, not an end itself, and should not be all-consuming. Is our work sanctifying us and benefiting others? Is it nourishing our families, rather than competing with them? Is it enabling and supporting leisure and a rich contemplative life, with plenty of room for silence, prayer, worship and life’s higher things?