Saint Brigid Core Team Report

Survey Responses

2012

Sacramental Life of the Parish 491 surveys collected on 1/15/12 484 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

050

100150200250300350400

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Homilies speak to live of the people

0

100

200

300

400

500

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

People were prepared for language changes with

Roman Missal

0

50

100

150

200

250

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Parents are involved in quality theological sacramental preparation

relevant to today’s families

020406080

100120140160

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

250

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Anointing of the Sick is celebrated communally and

when requested

0

50

100

150

200

250

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

RCIA is the formation experience for those adults seeking Sacraments of

Initiation

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Enriching sacramental preparation is available for

all sacraments

0

50

100

150

200

250

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Various forms of prayer are fostered in the parish reflecting

the cultural history

0

50

100

150

200

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Funerals are celebrated with compassion and understanding

050

100150200250300350400

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Ministers of the Word are trained and enriched

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Ministers of the Eucharist are trained and enriched

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Sacristans are trained and enriched

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

The Church Decorating Committee is trained and

enriched

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

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

050

100150200250300350400

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Cantors are well trained

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Music is seasonally appropriate and corresponds to liturgical

readings

050

100150200250300350400

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

Parishioners are prepared for liturgical music and encouraged to

worship in song

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Going Strong

Adequate

Needs Help

Let's Begin

Left Blank

Responses

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 1/22/12 413 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

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The parish encourages racial and ethnic harmony within the

parish and beyond

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

Newcomers are welcomed and incorporated into parish life

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

churched

020406080

100120140

Responses

The parish sees itself as spreading the Gospel message

in all aspects of parish life

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

250

Responses

Adequate funds, resource, staff, ongoing training and

appropriate space are allotted

020406080

100120140160

Responses

Faith Formation programs are rooted in Church Teaching and

regularly evaluated for conformity to the Catechism of

the Catholic Church

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

Parents are aided in teaching their children the Catholic faith

and values

020406080

100120140160

Responses

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

050

100150200250300350400

Responses

Christian volunteerism is an

essential part of the curriculum

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

Catholic values and the teachings of the Church are

found throughout the

curriculum

0

50

100

150

200

250

Responses

Parents are involved in the

school and support it financially

0

50

100

150

200

250

Responses

Families are encouraged to send

their children to Catholic school

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

020406080

100120140

Responses

Special emphasis is placed on inviting men to the priesthood

and men and women to religious life or lay ministry

020406080

100120140

Responses

Adults are invited and given opportunities for training in the

diaconate and lay ministry

020406080

100120140

Responses

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 2nd grade Need to make it more valuable/interesting to attend

Stewardship and Justice

330 surveys collected on 1/29/12 325 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

020406080

100120

Responses

The Parish has an active stewardship committee

020406080

100120140

Responses

Parishioners volunteer their time to be involved in parish

mission

020406080

100120

Responses

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

God

020406080

100120140

Responses

The Parish has programs where all are expected to share their

talents

020406080

100120140

Responses

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

020406080

100120

Responses

The parish has outreach programs to assist people who

are poor and marginalized

020406080

100120140

Responses

Parishioners are trained to take part in advocacy at the State and local level especially in

regard to all justice and respect life issues

0

20

40

60

80

100

Responses

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

020406080

100120

Responses

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

020406080

100120140

Responses

Our Church encourages parishioners to see their daily

work as preparing for the reign of God on earth

020406080

100120140

Responses

Parishioners understand that they have gifts from God to use

in building up the Church through sharing their talents

020406080

100120140

Responses

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 2/5/12 362 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

0

50

100

150

200

250

Responses

The Parish Council and Commissions reflect the

particular population of the parish

020406080

100120140

Responses

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

education and formation

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The Parish Council evaluates and responds to the needs of the

Parish

020406080

100120140

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

250

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The Parish has met its diocesan financial obligations

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The Parish is not overly dependent on special fundraising activities

020406080

100120140160

Responses

The Parish priorities are reflected in financial decisions

020406080

100120140160

Responses

The Parish ensures proper fiscal administration, business

management and maintenance

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

revenue

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The Parish is studying parish

models for the future

020406080

100120140

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The Parish jointly schedules weekend Masses and shares

liturgies with a neighboring parish

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

Parishioners share programs and festivals which bring them

together socially

020406080

100120140

Responses

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

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

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

parish

0

50

100

150

200

Responses

The Parish has adequate space for all liturgical, faith formation,

educational and social functions

0

50

100

150

200

250

Responses

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

050

100150200250300

Responses

The Parish grounds and buildings are well maintained, with a plan

for on-going maintenance

050

100150200250300

Responses

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 25-35 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