Transcript Document
Welcome
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study Report Town Meeting Thank You for Joining Us.
November 20, 2003
“It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you. This I command you: love one another.”
Profile of Interviews
Total interviews Total people interviewed Number of male participants * Number of female participants * Number of Couples * Number in parish 15 years or more * Number indicating less than 15 years *
Number
52 87 43 44 35 27 25
% of Total
49.4% 50.6% 67.3% 51.9% 48.1%
* based on number of interviews * based on number of interviewees
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Project Details
New Worship Space: Capacity builds to 750 with expansion to 800 Larger Chapel & Baptistry Crying Room Additional Meeting Rooms Additional Office Space for Full-time secretaries (2) Business Manager Pastor’s office Adult Ministry Director Youth Ministry Director Financial preparations and review area Reception Room Conference & Meeting Room Existing church to be razed. New church will be built on the existing site.
Total Cost:
$6 million
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 1
All who were interviewed feel very much at home at St. Mary Magdalen
; they embrace the parish as their own, have great pride in it, and feel special for being part of the family.
90.5% (47/52) feel ‘very much’ at home;
other
9.5%
feel somewhat at home, were close at one time, and are not as involved at present.
“This parish is the core of my life.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 2
Pastor / Priests
53 mentions )
Father Chieffo
is a tremendous leader; involved in everything; holds the parish together; great personality and sense of humor; very much loved. (42 mentions) “
Father Ralph has turned this parish around. He is spiritually strong, warm, caring and wants to please.”
Father Mulgrew
is very friendly and a good leader. (6 mentions)
In general
– Father Ralph and Father Mulgrew are a great team and make everyone feel at home. (5 mentions)
“Both pastors go out of their way to make it feel like a church community.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 3
People
(#2 strength / 36 mentions ) Parishioners are very involved, generous and welcoming. They are friendly, faith-filled and willing to work together. There is a close-knit group and a strong sense of community.
“The people here are the parish’s biggest asset.” “The parish has a lot of good people that are very involved. They give a lot of themselves.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 4
School
(#3 strength / 25 mentions )
In general
– The school is highly respected; excellent faculty; helps gather families and brings young people together. (17 mentions)
“We couldn’t ask for a better school. The teachers are dedicated and they teach sound Christian principles.”
Pat Miniszak
– She is awesome and does a remarkable job leading the school. (8 mentions)
“We love Pat Miniszak. She is a great leader for the school.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 5
Atmosphere
(#4 strength / 14 mentions ): Parishioners rave about the family environment felt here. There is a feeling of ease and relaxation that makes everyone feel comfortable and at home.
“This place is a breath of fresh air.”
Spirituality
(#5 strength / 12 mentions ): Strong, faith-based and devout; parishioners really want to grow closer to God.
“The liturgies talk to people. They are inspiring.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 6
Programs
(11)
involvement
(5).
– great variety .
Parishioner Liturgy / Masses
(3) – excellent liturgical celebrations.
Location
(2) .
Financial security
(2) .
CCD Families Feel a Part of the Parish
(2) . Other: Adoration Chapel; church building; fine physical plant; great resources with people; size (small) and young people get lots of attention.
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 7
Facilities
(identified with 29 mentions )! Parishioners want to make St. Mary Magdalen an even better parish.
Church
– Change is needed; more seats, more Catholic feel and general upgrades (12)
General
– Overall facilities need upgrading and made more attractive (4)
Cry Room
– One is needed in the church (3)
Meeting Space
– More space to gather for all the ministries of parish (3)
Parking
– More spaces are needed (2)
Rectory
– Priests need more privacy (2)
S chool –
Fans, air-conditioning and a larger cafeteria (2)
Single Mentions –
More offices
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 8
None:
Nothing needs to be changed. Many see everything as great at St. Mary Magdalen. (10 mentions )
“We don’t have much to improve because everything is already here.”
Liturgy / Masses:
More focused sermons; homilies that relate to everyday life; opportunities for children to get involved; and a more worshipful atmosphere (8 mentions)
“There is too much noise because of people in the vestibule.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 9
Lack of Priests:
People desire more priests and deacons in general. Father Chieffo is expected to do too much. (8 mentions)
“It’s very difficult for two priests to handle this parish and soon we’ll only have one.”
Parishioner Involvement:
The same old nucleus do everything. Ministries, and even mass attendance, are not as active as they could and should be for the parish. (8 mentions)
“I would like to see more activities and more participation.”
Other: Financial emphasis ~ too much emphasis on money and tithing (6) ; School (5) ; Activities ~ more programs (5) ; Parish management ~ too much confusion (3) ; Communication (3) ; Noise level ~ too much talking in back of church (2) ; Social growth ~ more community gatherings (2) ; and Raise teachers salaries (2).
Strengths
1. Pastor / Priest
(53)
Improvements
1. Facilities
(29)
2. People
(36)
3. School
(25)
4. Atmosphere
(14)
5. Spirituality
(12)
3. Liturgy / Masses
( 8)
3. Lack of Priests
( 8)
3. Parishioner
( 8)
Involvement
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 10
65.4% resonate with plans as presented.
Additional 21.2% agree while asking questions and sharing some concerns. Seven (13.4%) disagree.
(86.6% disposed.)
“I’m so pleased we are willing to move ahead and consider this. Clearly, we are already cramped for space in all areas. The church is tight. We so desperately need space to meet.” “I like what I see. I’m for it. It is more sensible to build new rather than add on. I think Father Chieffo will make this a spiritually uplifting edifice.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 11
21.2% agree and share some reservations:
Do we really need a new church?
Have all alternatives been considered / is it possible to just renovate existing church?
$6 million is outrageous / plans are extravagant Need to validate this demographically Will parking be sufficient?
Will this create a rift among those who are in favor and those opposed?
Is this the best timing for campaign?
Has there been any parishioner input for the layout of projected church?
What are the actual cost estimates? They seem to be continually changing.
Will new church be large enough?
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 12
13.4% disagree with the project:
Do not see the need for a new church Feel the plans are extravagant Confusion that tithing was supposed to eliminate need for capital campaign Not convinced it is necessary with numbers presented
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 13 Awareness of the project is excellent. 98% of respondents were at least somewhat informed about the plans.
“Father has done a nice job of keeping us informed from the pulpit to the bulletin.”
Many people however, feel this is going to happen regardless of the study and that there has not been enough parishioner input.
“I am aware that the decision to build a new church was made a long time ago. We were then told it was a done deal.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 14
Campaign process is accepted and embraced by (44) 84.6% of the people.
One respondent simply could not answer the question.
Four agree with reservations and three disagree; those against the campaign are opposed to the plans; others need to be convinced of need and some say tithing was supposed to eliminate a capital campaign. However, members want to move ahead with plans and are very supportive (and enthusiastic) for a capital campaign.
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 15
Campaign is seen as a vehicle to enhance community and to energize members focused on common goals. Strengthening all around stewardship is embraced!
“We must do all we can to unite this parish with a campaign. This is a family who sees two different ways to go.” “We hear a lot of negative talk in the parish. I am concerned. We need a united spirit to do this.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 1 Acknowledge
all participants; provide Synopsis.
Crystallize Parish’s Vision
: Affirm the many unique components and accomplishments of St. Mary Magdalen Parish within the Mission Statement.
Develop Vision
for the future which will validate present plans.
Revisit Current Plans
: Review plan under consideration and engage in a process designed to finalize and clarify the various components
(measured against mission and vision)
.
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 2 Specifically address Frequently Asked Questions:
Have all options been explored for whether new worship space needs to be built or just renovations done to the existing church with costs determined?
Can any areas be cut back to bring down the costs?
Will there be enough parking with the new church?
Are the parish registrations, housing starts, attendance and growth trends accurate to warrant a larger church?
Is there space available for use in the existing school facility?
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 3 Specifically address Frequently Asked Questions:
Are the headcount numbers that were presented to the parish up to date? Are cost estimates accurate? What is our financial position? More detail and specifics of the project need to be communicated. What is the long term vision and plan for St. Mary Magdalen?
Answer all other reasonable questions.
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 4 Campaign Potential
:
minimum goal assuming a successful challenge with a $500,000 gift, a widely embraced
pacesetting
effort, and broad based support
(600 donors minimum)
Finalize Details of Plans:
A collaborative process between clergy, lay leaders and parishioners to finalize objectives, priorities, $ goal, timing, methodology, etc.
Prepare initial draft of
Case Statement
< Root in mission and vision Develop strategy for better
Accountability / Communications
< Town Meeting < God’s plan for St. Mary Magdalen and role of stewardship < Financial Profile of St. Mary Magdalen / projections
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 5
: evolves to Leadership Team of
Capital Campaign for a
Spring 2004 Kickoff
Clarify
and role of volunteer Present opportunities for
gifts of appreciated assets (26.9%)
‘See how they love one another’
Campaign to be embracing, involving all who wish to be involved.
Provide opportunities to join together and realize continuing dream.
Campaign storytellers
preserve the faith and realize the dream.
1 1 3 5 10 15 25 30 40 110 120 60 150 270 480 600
Range of Gifts
$3,000,000 (3 year pledge) $500,000 250,000 100,000 50,000 $25,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 SUB-TOTALS $3,000 1,000 Up to $1,000 SUB-TOTALS
TOTALS
$500,000 $250,000 $300,000 $250,000 $1,300,000 $375,000 $375,000 $300,000 $200,000 $1,250,000 $2,550,000 $180,000 $150,000 $120,000 $450,000 $3,000,000
15 25 30 40 110 120 60 150 270 480 600 1 1 3 5 10 1 9 7 2 18 15 27 30 3 3 6 48 2 3
Range of Gifts
$3,000,000 (3 year pledge) $500,000 250,000 100,000 50,000 $25,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 SUB-TOTALS $3,000 1,000 up to $1,000 SUB-TOTALS
TOTALS
$250,000 $100,000 $350,000 $75,000 $45,000 $60,000 $76,000 $256,000 $606,000 $27,000 $7,000 $1,000 $35,000 $641,000 $500,000 $250,000 $300,000 $250,000 $1,300,000 $375,000 $375,000 $300,000 $200,000 $1,250,000 $2,550,000 $180,000 $150,000 $120,000 $450,000 $3,000,000
< < < < <
The Five Traditions
Attend the Volunteer’s Workshop Make a personal commitment in advance of kick-off Solicit at least one and probably five to six others Personally acknowledge anyone whose gift you solicit whether they give or not Pray daily for the success of the campaign
Solicitation Leadership Committee Interviews
Campaign Volunteer Potential St. Mary Magdalen Parish
26 5 10 7 32 5 52
YES MAYBE
25
29 mentions regarding improvements to facilities
20 15 10 5
1 2 2 2 3 3 4 12
25 20
1 2 2 2 3 3
15
4
10 5
12
More Offices School Rectory Parking Meeting Space Cry Room In General Church 0 0
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Capital Campaign Committee Structure Pastor Rev. Ralph J. Chieffo Honorary Chairs Campaign Chairs Finance Council Steering Committee
Pastoral Council Capital Accounts / Data Management
Pacesetter Phase Chairs Committee Ad Hoc Appreciated Assets Building Liaison Business Task Force Deferred Gifts Evangelization Naming Opportunities General Phase To Be Announced Leadership Phase Captain Captain Captain Captain Captain Captain Captain Chairs Special Events Chairs Communications Chairs Captain Captain Captain Captain Captain Captain Captain Committee Committee
April 27, 2020