St. Katharine Drexel Parish Discovery Survey Results

 Overview

 As one of the first steps in a year long parish planning process, the weekend of October 3-4, 2009 all parishioners who attended mass were asked to write down their answers to two questions.  The first question was “When have you been proudest to be Catholic?”  The second question was “Three things that St. Katharine Drexel Parish does well are:”  Parishioners were also asked to indicate their ages on survey cards so that the responses could be collated by age groups.  Almost 700 cards were submitted and reviewed by members of the parish planning committee.

What follows is a summary of the overall results for the entire parish and results by age groups.  Items reported are reported in order of priority.  This information will be used by the planning committee to affirm the strengths of the parish upon which plans will be developed for a stronger future.  Comments and the reactions of parishioners concerning the results of this survey are welcome and encouraged.

Overall Results

When Have Parishioners been Proudest?

• All the time - all my life was the most frequently mentioned answer across all age groups.
• When I have received the sacraments (Baptism, Eucharist, Marriage) or have been present when my children received the sacraments was the second most frequently mentioned response.
• When our parish helps the needy and the poor was clearly the third most mentioned response.

Three Things that St. Katharine Drexel Parish Does Well…,

• Across the age groups the thing that the parish does best is the weekend masses.  Mentioned were music and choirs, good schedule, and homilies.
• The second most common response was helping the poor, needy and homebound.
• Third was a belief that St. Katharine’s is a united parish family that is friendly and welcoming.  It also has many people who are involved and volunteer their time.
• Fourth among the top items was education and faith formation offered through GIFT and the school.
• Last, and certainly not least, was mention of the pastor and especially his homilies.

Age Group Responses - Those Under Age 15

Proudest

• When I made my First Communion
• My whole life
• At school
• When I know I can believe I the bible and I can be kind and loving

“When I see how other non-Catholics are struggling, and realize how hard it must be for them, with no Eucharist, no Sacraments, no Saints, and that I need to help them realize the Truth.  When I am with a group of zealous Catholics, I am proud to know that I am one of them.”

What the parish does well

• Has a great mass
• Tells us how God lived his life
• Has a good pastor
• Helps people in need
• Has a great picnic
• G.I.F.T.

“selling and giving things away”

“The priest is funny so it makes it even more entertaining”

“Kind…, like family”

Age 16 - 20

Proudest

• All the time
• First Communion
• Confirmation & Reconciliation
• When defending/explaining faith to others

“When I go to public functions for the church and can feel like a community.”

“This would have to be when I had an interview for religion class and we were asked questions about our faith and what we believed as Catholics.  Not many people could answer every question, but I answer every one.”

What the parish does well

• Welcoming/friendly community
• Service opportunities – helping others
• Multiple mass times
• Music and liturgy
• Good pastor and homilies

Age 21 – 35

Proudest

• When I got married
• Baptism
• Always
• Confirmation
• When I see/hear of someone we as Catholics helped

What the parish does well

• Bringing people together
• Welcoming new members/babies
• Education
• Giving to others/helping others
• Encouraging young children
• Keeping people informed
• Spread the word of God

“offer many chances for people to get involved”

“excellent parish fundraiser participation, volunteers and supporters”

“encourage all to participate in mass and outside activities”

“chances to gather and meet other people in the parish”

Age 36 – 45

Proudest

• Weddings
• Eucharist
• Baptisms , 1^st Eucharist and Confirmation
• Help needy
• Funerals

“all the time”

“when my children pray for those in need and serve those in need with genuine compassion”

What the parish does well

• Faith Formation
• Community Outreach/help needy
• Good selection of mass sites and scheduling
• Fun and effective fund raising events
• Liturgy and music (choirs)
• Marriage and family guidance

“I am grateful for every breath I get.  The Catholic faith, through the Sacraments, gives me avenues of Grace that cannot be found elsewhere.  I am grateful for every Mass and every opportunity I can get for Reconciliation.”

“Offering opportunities for young and old to grow and learn more about faith through GIFT sessions.”

“Reaches out to the community.”

Age 46 – 55

Proudest

• the day my daughter/son was baptized
• always – today and every day
• our marriage
• receiving the sacraments

“When raising our children and following the Catholic tradition.”

“The day I got married.  Then when I watched my children get baptized, confirmed and married.  The day I buried my Dad – I knew we had a home.”

“When disasters strike and the Catholic Church jumps in to help “all” who are affected.”

What the parish does well

• Welcoming, loving environment
• Weekend celebration of Eucharist and schedules
• The way the parish helps the needy and the poor
• Community involvement – so many involved
• GIFT/Faith Formation
• Liturgies and music

“Make members from all three sites feel as one.”

“Looks for ways to improve by asking parish members for input.”

“Celebrating the sacraments and professing my faith to others.”

Age 56 – 65

Proudest

• All the time – every day – all my life
• When our children and grandchildren were baptized
• When I was involved or see children involved in Catholic school
• When we help others

“Christmas always touches my heart.  When I attend funerals – makes me glad to know that someday I too can be with the Lord. I am proud to witness my faith.”

“During a tour of Clothes Closet, St. Joseph Food Pantry, and Leaven.  I feel we are living the need to help others.”

“When our children decided to send their children to Catholic school.”

“When priests and Bishops speak truth against wrongs in our culture and Church and doesn’t hold back.”

What the parish does well

• educating and teaching our children/young people
• feeding/supporting the poor and needy in our community
• masses, homilies, music
• involvement of many parishioners
• informs and communicates well with parishioners

“Provide for spiritual education and comfort across the life span.”

“Runs a resale shop to help the parish and clients who perhaps cannot buy new items.”

“Organizing parish events like picnics, spring social, etc. fish fries, chicken dinners.”

“A smiling, welcoming Fr. Jerry”

“We joined parishes peacefully and with love and respect for all.”

Over 65

Proudest

• Have always been proud my whole life
• When receiving the sacraments
• Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, Marriages of my children and grandchildren
• When volunteering and giving to charity

“By following the teachings of our Church, I am never wrong.”

“I am proud that we have a food pantry that our parish supports with food and use of a building.  Most of the people we serve are not members of our parish and yet we do a very good job of serving them, whatever their religion.”

“I’m always proud of my faith, but when I receive the sacrament of reconciliation and feel the love and forgiveness of God, I am proud he loves me, that I am forgiven.”

“When I can get to church on Saturday or Sunday and see my children going to church.”

“When other relatives come to our Mass, especially funerals.  Then I’m proud to be Catholic.” 

What the parish does well

• Masses – beautiful, good choirs, great schedule
• Pastor – good, active, friendly, handles 3 sites well
• Work together as one united family – lots of volunteering and involvement
• Very welcoming
• Do good job with fund raisers
• Education school and GIFT
• Help for poor, needy & homebound
• Good communication

“Opportunities to grow in faith, many ministries to show our faith, encouraging others to become involved in parish life.”

“We have great groups of volunteers and wonderful fundraisers.  Our ladies put on awesome funeral lunches.  We have an awesome shepherd, Fr, Jerry.”

“I’m not a member of your parish, but have gone to Mass here now and then.  The people are friendly and Father, you bring the Lord to us in a beautiful way. Thank you.”

“Caring for others by having food bags monthly, Masses for each church location, informing people of various charitable events.”

“We are like on big family.”