Saint Brigid Core Team Report Survey Responses 2012

Sacramental Life of the Parish 491 surveys collected on 1/15/ surveys completed correctly Many surveys did not have all questions answered – apparent that people chose not to answer if they were unfamiliar with or didn’t understand what was being evaluated

Sacramental Life of the Parish Eucharist is the source and summit of the life and mission of the parish  Four elements Eucharist and Sacraments celebrated with prayerfulness etc Homilies speak to live of the people People were prepared for language changes with Roman Missal Parents are involved in quality theological sacramental preparation relevant to today’s families

Eucharist and Sacraments celebrated with prayerfulness

Homilies speak to live of the people

People were prepared for language changes with Roman Missal

Parents are involved in quality theological sacramental preparation relevant to today’s families

Sacramental Life of the Parish Sacramental celebrations and devotional practices  Six elements Sacrament of Penance is encouraged with adequate times available Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally and when requested RCIA is the formation experience for those adults seeking Sacraments of Initiation Enriching sacramental preparation is available for all sacraments Various forms of prayer are fostered in the parish reflecting the cultural history Funerals are celebrated with compassion and understanding

Sacrament of Penance is encouraged with adequate times available

Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally and when requested

RCIA is the formation experience for those adults seeking Sacraments of Initiation

Enriching sacramental preparation is available for all sacraments

Various forms of prayer are fostered in the parish reflecting the cultural history

Funerals are celebrated with compassion and understanding

Sacramental Life of the Parish Lay Sacramental Ministries  5 Elements Ministers of hospitality are trained and enriched Ministers of the Word are trained and enriched Ministers of the Eucharist are trained and enriched Sacristans are trained and enriched The Church Decorating Committee is trained and enriched

Ministers of hospitality are trained and enriched

Ministers of the Word are trained and enriched

Ministers of the Eucharist are trained and enriched

Sacristans are trained and enriched

The Church Decorating Committee is trained and enriched

Sacramental Life of the Parish Liturgical Music  Four Elements Music is valued as a vital liturgical ministry as indicated by the quality of the music leaders Cantors are well trained Music is seasonally appropriate and corresponds to liturgical readings Parishioners are prepared for liturgical music and encouraged to worship in song

Music is valued as a vital liturgical ministry as indicated by the quality of the music leaders

Cantors are well trained

Music is seasonally appropriate and corresponds to liturgical readings

Parishioners are prepared for liturgical music and encouraged to worship in song

Comments Most comments were praise for our parish and very positive! Areas suggested for improvement:  Quiet before Mass for prayer  Music Would like more traditional Latin/ Would like more modern Would like more instruments Strengthen choir and have at various Masses Would like to sing an offertory song and more than one song at Communion  Youth involvement in Masses – something to keep our kids coming to Mass and participating beyond Middle School  Many don’t know what “enrichment activities” are – seemed like only if they were involved in that ministry were they confident to answer  Use books instead of separate sheets each week

Evangelization, Catechesis, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Religious Education 422 surveys collected on 1/22/ surveys completed correctly Many surveys did not have all questions answered – apparent that people chose not to answer if they were unfamiliar with or didn’t understand what was being evaluated

Evangelization, Catechesis, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Religious Education Evangelization as the essential aspect of the Church’s life and mission  Five elements Parish leadership and members have a vision of evangelization based on Church teachings The parish encourages racial and ethnic harmony within the parish and beyond Newcomers are welcomed and incorporated into parish life Efforts are made to reach out to the alienated, inactive and un-churched The parish sees itself as spreading the Gospel message in all aspects of parish life

Parish leadership and members have a vision of evangelization based on Church teachings

The parish encourages racial and ethnic harmony within the parish and beyond

Newcomers are welcomed and incorporated into parish life

Efforts are made to reach out to the alienated, inactive and un-churched

The parish sees itself as spreading the Gospel message in all aspects of parish life

Evangelization, Catechesis, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Religious Education Lifelong Faith Formation  Five elements A comprehensive Faith Formation plan exists providing learning opportunities for all adults Children and youth of all ages are provided with high quality programs and trained leaders Adequate funds, resource, staff, ongoing training and appropriate space are allotted Faith Formation programs are rooted in Church Teaching and regularly evaluated for conformity to the Catechism of the Catholic Church Parents are aided in teaching their children the Catholic faith and values

A comprehensive Faith Formation plan exists providing learning opportunities for all adults

Children and youth of all ages are provided with high quality programs and trained leaders

Adequate funds, resource, staff, ongoing training and appropriate space are allotted

Faith Formation programs are rooted in Church Teaching and regularly evaluated for conformity to the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Parents are aided in teaching their children the Catholic faith and values

Evangelization, Catechesis, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Religious Education Catholic Schools  Five elements St. Brigid supports Catholic school education Christian volunteerism is an essential part of the curriculum Catholic values and the teachings of the Church are found throughout the curriculum Parents are involved in the school and support it financially Families are encouraged to send their children to Catholic school

St. Brigid supports Catholic school education

Christian volunteerism is an essential part of the curriculum

Catholic values and the teachings of the Church are found throughout the curriculum

Parents are involved in the school and support it financially

Families are encouraged to send their children to Catholic school

Evangelization, Catechesis, Catholic Schools and Lifelong Religious Education Vocational Awareness  3 elements Education for vocational awareness is part of Faith Formation programs and Catholic School curriculum and helps young people discern their vocation Special emphasis is placed on inviting men to the priesthood and men and women to religious life or lay ministry Adults are invited and given opportunities for training in the diaconate and lay ministry

Education for vocational awareness is part of Faith Formation programs and Catholic School curriculum and helps young people discern their vocation

Special emphasis is placed on inviting men to the priesthood and men and women to religious life or lay ministry

Adults are invited and given opportunities for training in the diaconate and lay ministry

Comments regarding Evangelization, Catholic Schools, and Lifelong Religious Education Most comments were praise for our parish and very positive! Vocations/Ministries  Suggest a prayer for vocations said at Mass routinely  Suggest a ministry to those in the Jail Hospitality  Have new member forms at back of church rather than to have to call the office in mid-week  Committee membership should be encouraged at Mass not just listed in the bulletin  Parish staff should welcome new members; public welcome at Mass – glad you are here School  Seem to lose kids due to issues between parents and school staff  Why are we using public school curriculum in our Catholic Schools  Why are we taking kids on tours of public high schools  Need to have better connection with our Catholic High Schools to encourage the transition rather than to public high schools  Teachers need to be bold on talking about pro-life message and use of contraception etc with school parents/kids  Keep tuition low and encourage more to come (what happened to fair share)  Middle School curriculum needs improvement Faith Formation hard to get kids to since have received all sacraments of initiation by 2 nd grade  Need to make it more valuable/interesting to attend

Stewardship and Justice 330 surveys collected on 1/29/ surveys completed correctly Many surveys did not have all questions answered – apparent that people chose not to answer if they were unfamiliar with or didn’t understand what was being evaluated

Stewardship and Justice Stewardship Formation  5 elements All Faith Formation Programs integrate social justice and Stewardship The Parish has an active stewardship committee Parishioners volunteer their time to be involved in parish mission Parishioners use their talents for building up the Church and the world in light of the reign of God The Parish has programs where all are expected to share their talents

All Faith Formation Programs integrate social justice and Stewardship

The Parish has an active stewardship committee

Parishioners volunteer their time to be involved in parish mission

Parishioners use their talents for building up the Church and the world in light of the reign of God

The Parish has programs where all are expected to share their talents

Stewardship and Justice Social Justice, Advocacy, and Outreach  3 elements An organized program of instruction in social teaching has been implemented to discuss issues in light of Catholic Social Teaching The parish has outreach programs to assist people who are poor and marginalized Parishioners are trained to take part in advocacy at the State and local level especially in regard to all justice and respect life issues

An organized program of instruction in social teaching has been implemented to discuss issues in light of Catholic Social Teaching

The parish has outreach programs to assist people who are poor and marginalized

Parishioners are trained to take part in advocacy at the State and local level especially in regard to all justice and respect life issues

Stewardship and Justice Integration of Stewardship  4 elements Parish provides on-going opportunities for all to understand the power of stewardship Parishioners are given opportunities to learn more about respecting and caring for all creation with a special emphasis on respecting human life in all stages from conception to natural death Our Church encourages parishioners to see their daily work as preparing for the reign of God on earth Parishioners understand that they have gifts from God to use in building up the Church through sharing their talents

Parish provides on-going opportunities for all to understand the power of stewardship

Parishioners are given opportunities to learn more about respecting and caring for all creation with a special emphasis on respecting human life in all stages from conception to natural death

Our Church encourages parishioners to see their daily work as preparing for the reign of God on earth

Parishioners understand that they have gifts from God to use in building up the Church through sharing their talents

Comments regarding Social Justice and Stewardship Most comments were praise for our parish and very positive! Areas suggested for improvement:  Social Justice is hot button phrase with many parishioners equating it to a liberal political agenda and therefore don’t want their parish involved in “social justice”  A lot of the same people always volunteer  Need more outreach to the poor  Need a Respect Life commission and more involvement which reflects our true Catholic beliefs  Need younger people involved more in the parish

Effective Administration 369 surveys collected on 2/5/ surveys completed correctly Many surveys did not have all questions answered – apparent that people chose not to answer if they were unfamiliar with or didn’t understand what was being evaluated

Effective Administration Leadership of the Pastor, Staff and Councils  4 elements Pastoral leadership encourages the fullest possible collaborations The Parish Council and Commissions reflect the particular population of the parish The Pastoral staff is trained and qualified and receives on-going education and formation The Parish Council evaluates and responds to the needs of the Parish

Pastoral leadership encourages the fullest possible collaborations

The Parish Council and Commissions reflect the particular population of the parish

The Pastoral staff is trained and qualified and receives on-going education and formation

The Parish Council evaluates and responds to the needs of the Parish

Effective Administration Financial Stability and Resource Stewardship  7 elements The Parish has a well operating administration and finance commission with a financial plan The Parish is able to pay its debts within a reasonable time The Parish has met its diocesan financial obligations The Parish is not overly dependent on special fundraising activities The Parish priorities are reflected in financial decisions The Parish ensures proper fiscal administration, business management and maintenance The focus of administration and finance commission is stewardship of resources in managing costs and revenue

The Parish has a well operating administration and finance commission with a financial plan

The Parish is able to pay its debts within a reasonable time

The Parish has met its diocesan financial obligations

The Parish is not overly dependent on special fundraising activities

The Parish priorities are reflected in financial decisions

The Parish ensures proper fiscal administration, business management and maintenance

The focus of administration and finance commission is stewardship of resources in managing costs and revenue

Effective Administration Diminished Number of Priests in Planning  2 elements The Parish supports the pastor and doesn’t make unreasonable demands on him The Parish is studying parish models for the future

The Parish supports the pastor and doesn’t make unreasonable demands on him

The Parish is studying parish models for the future

Effective Administration Geographic Proximity in Planning  3 elements The Parish has shared pastoral programs with near-by parishes The Parish jointly schedules weekend Masses and shares liturgies with a neighboring parish Parishioners share programs and festivals which bring them together socially

The Parish has shared pastoral programs with near-by parishes

The Parish jointly schedules weekend Masses and shares liturgies with a neighboring parish

Parishioners share programs and festivals which bring them together socially

Effective Administration Pastoral Staff and Facilities  5 elements The Parish has hired well qualified professional staff to carry out its mission Non-paid people are well trained to successfully provide services to the parish The Parish has adequate space for all liturgical, faith formation, educational and social functions Buildings have been evaluated by experts for structural soundness and are handicapped accessible The Parish grounds and buildings are well maintained, with a plan for on-going maintenance

The Parish has hired well qualified professional staff to carry out its mission

Non-paid people are well trained to successfully provide services to the parish

The Parish has adequate space for all liturgical, faith formation, educational and social functions

Buildings have been evaluated by experts for structural soundness and are handicapped accessible

The Parish grounds and buildings are well maintained, with a plan for on-going maintenance

Comments regarding Effective Administration Most comments were praise for our parish and very positive! Areas suggested for improvement:  Between 3 parishes in Midland we should be able to have more times for confession  Free up Fr. Pat’s time to be able to be more sacramental with less use of lay ministers  We should have a joint day of prayer with the 3 parishes in Midland as well as joint food pantry and Music Ministry  A later Mass (around 7pm) would be good  Need young adult programs year old  Larger gathering space with coat racks would be nice  Principal, teachers and faith formation staff need more training in our core Catholic priniciples especially where the Church stands on contraception  We need to help all who come to our door – even if they don’t belong to the parish  Holy Day vigils would be nice at least at one Midland parish each Holy Day  Worship aids are a waste of money and paper  Daily Mass schedule doesn’t work for those that are working people – a daily 5pm would be nice  Handicap accessibility for the Church is somewhat limited  Servers need to be better trained  We need better youth programs

Conclusions Overall most parishioners believe we are going strong or adequate in most areas surveyed Parishioners are still in need of help with the new wording from the Roman Missal Involvement of Youth in Ministry was stressed and making Mass more meaningful for them and teaching them their faith – this came up on all 4 surveys regardless of the questions asked Many comments about music and how it could be even better; a combined music ministry between all 3-4 parishes in Midland was mentioned by a few Many comments about providing a quiet environment for prayer prior to Mass

Conclusions Support for the school is strong – many comments on linking with Catholic HS in Saginaw/Bay City/Mt Pleasant so more transition to Catholic HS Hospitality needs strengthening especially with new members making them feel welcome; some parish staff do not come across as friendly More prayer and emphasis on vocations suggested Add a ministry to those in jail Strengthen Faith Formation – we are losing our kids after second grade – need to make it valuable and meaningful so kids want to go Better coordination between parishes of Mass times, Holy Days, Reconciliation with a variety of daily Mass times (later in the day for working people)

Conclusions Social Justice is a hot button phrase and needs further explanation as it relates to the Catholic Church Right to Life issues are strongly supported by parishioners and need to be more strongly supported by the Parish as a whole and in our curriculum More training for teachers and faith formation on our core Catholic teachings especially as it relates to Right to Life, contraception etc. Don’t be afraid to talk about this with parents and children Need to broaden the base of volunteers in the parish with more youth involved Facility issues as they relate to a gathering space, coat racks and handicap accessibility