After prayer and discernment, I wanted to present to you for your reflection our parish Mission Statement, along with our Vision Statement and Values that we strive to live here in our Parish Family

 

 Mission Statement:

 

We follow Jesus in His Catholic Church, who sends us to “go forth and make disciples” of the Lord. (Matthew 28:19)

 

 Vision Statement:  My Parish, My  Family

 

We will grow in relationship as a  multicultural Parish Family, believing Jesus gives us an intimate relationship with the  Father as His beloved sons and daughters through His Word and Sacraments.  As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live in unity as brothers and sisters in Christ, to make disciples of the Lord.

 

 Values:

 

Liturgical Piety
Faithful prayer
Humble joy
Total dependence on God
Continual repentance
Hope filled courage
Sacrificial love

 

Click here to view our Pastoral Plan 2017-18 in English
Click here to view our Pastoral Plan 2017-18 in Spanish
Click here to view our Pastoral Plan  2017-18 in Portuguese

 

Click to view Survey Summary Results in English

Click to view Survey Summary Results in Spanish

Click to view Survey Summary Results in Portuguese

 

 If you want to see these reports in Spanish or Portuguese, please go to the bottom of the page and select “Translate”

Se quiser ver esses relatórios em espanhol ou em português, vá até a parte abajo da página e selecione “Traduzir”

Si desea ver estos reportes en Español o en Portugués, favor de ir a la parte de abajo de la página y seleccione “Traducir”

 

 

Survey Responses – CCD Class – April 2, 2017

 

  1. What is your gender?

Female – 25          Male – 21

  1. What is your age range?

8–12 – 38        13–18 – 2        19–35 – 1        36–50 – 3        51–65 – 2

  1. What is your preferred language?

English – 40         Spanish – 5         Portuguese – 1

  1. Are you a member of our parish?

Yes – 43                No – 2                   No Reply – 1

  1. What do you like best about the parish?

Helping with Sunday school and Mass; CCD program

Music

To learn about God; celebrate Christ

Everyone in the church is welcoming; Seeing family and friends

After Mass, you can ask the priest questions

The varying cultures of our parish; multi-cultural dinner

  1. What do you think the parish is missing?

Children’s Mass (and having children read at Mass); Children’s choir

More commitment to CYO activities

More festivals; Food

Being kid friendly

  1. How can we make the parish more appealing to you?

Increase children-related activities; More festivals

Children’s choir

Explain everything a bit more during the Mass; More music/songs at Mass

More small get-togethers / study groups in church basement

More trilingual Masses

Bingo

  1. What would you like the parish to offer?

Social events; Festivals; Holiday events

Spiritual – More confession times; Retreats; Meditation classes

Cultural – maybe Spanish lessons

More children’s groups; Free food; More parish dinners

Praying the rosary together

  1. I am involved in Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 0                       4 – 1                       7 – 7                       10 – 13

2 – 0                       5 – 3                       8 – 11

3 – 2                       6 – 5                       9 – 4

  1. I feel welcome at Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 0                       4 – 1                       7 – 1                       10 – 32

2 – 0                       5 – 4                       8 – 3

3 – 0                       6 – 1                       9 – 4

  1. I feel our different ethnic groups are united (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 0                       4 – 0                       7 – 5                       10 – 19

2 – 0                       5 – 1                       8 – 7

3 – 1                       6 – 2                       9 – 11

46 responses

 

 Survey Responses – 5:15 PM Mass – April 1, 2017

 

  1. What is your gender?

Female – 54          Male – 44

  1. What is your age range?

8–12 – 0      13–18 – 5      19–35 – 7      36–50 – 12      51–65 – 41      66 Plus – 32      Unknown – 1

  1. What is your preferred language?

English – 81         Spanish – 15      Portuguese – 2

  1. Are you a member of our parish?

Yes – 71                No – 27

  1. What do you like best about the parish?

Everyone in the church is welcoming; Friendliness; Priests

The history and longevity of the parish

It’s in my neighborhood; Convenient

Multi-cultural events of our parish; Diversity

Various celebrations and processions

  1. What do you think the parish is missing?

Coffee / social after Mass

More missions / Retreats

Children’s Mass; More young people; Youth participation

Choir; Music

Sound of the church bell

Maintenance

Excitement in the readings – not all one flat tone

Greeters at the door

Parking

  1. How can we make the parish more appealing to you?

Coffee / social after Mass

Parking; Handicapped parking

New people involved in organized activities; More youth activities / participation

English speaking retreats

Rosary devotion

Music at Mass

  1. What would you like the parish to offer?

Social events

Spiritual direction; More confession times; Bible study

Coffee and donuts after Mass; Monthly breakfast

Cultural – ethnic groups tend to exclude English speaking parishioners when social

events take place; please consider that not all people speak ethnic languages.

Praying the rosary together

Music

  1. I am involved in Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 8                       4 – 6                       7 – 9                       10 – 12

2 – 3                       5 – 16                    8 – 6                       No Answer – 20

3 – 11                    6 – 3                       9 – 4

  1. I feel welcome at Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 2                       4 – 0                       7 – 3                       10 – 65

2 – 0                       5 – 0                       8 – 10                    No Answer – 8

3 – 0                       6 – 0                       9 – 10

  1. I feel our different ethnic groups are united (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 1                       4 – 2                       7 – 13                    10 – 29

2 – 1                       5 – 5                       8 – 19                    No Answer – 10

3 – 1                       6 – 5                       9 – 12

98 responses

 

 

 Survey Responses – 7:15 AM Mass – April 2, 2017

 

  1. What is your gender?

Female – 31          Male – 30

  1. What is your age range?

8–12 – 0      13–18 – 1      19–35 – 0      36–50 – 3      51–65 –  26      66 Plus – 30     Unknown – 1

  1. What is your preferred language?

English – 59         Spanish – 1         Portuguese – 1

  1. Are you a member of our parish?

Yes – 50                No – 10                 No Reply – 1

  1. What do you like best about the parish?

Everyone in the church is welcoming; Friendliness; Warmth of the priests (approachable)

The history and faith

It’s in my neighborhood; Convenient

The varying cultures of our parish; Diversity

Various celebrations and processions

  1. What do you think the parish is missing?

More young people; Youth participation

Choir; Music

Latin Mass

Pro-Life Committee

Multi-cultural activities

More English meetings and groups – don’t specify Spanish vs. English

Parking

  1. How can we make the parish more appealing to you?

Parking

Connect readings to the problems we face today

Stop reading announcements after Mass – we can read them in bulletin

Homily more appealing (and shorter)

New people involved in organized activities; More youth participation

Rosary devotion and English-speaking retreats

Music at Mass

Lose perception of Spanish favoritism

  1. What would you like the parish to offer?

Social events

Spiritual direction; More confession times; Spiritual trips for families

Coffee and donuts after Mass

Cultural – ethnic groups tend to exclude English speaking parishioners when social

events take place; please consider that not all people speak ethnic languages.

Praying the rosary together

Book Club – using book choices from our gift shop

Vigil candles; Memorials for Sacristy Light; Flowers in Memory of Special Person/Occasion

Music

Spanish/Portuguese language classes

Parking

  1. I am involved in Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 3                       4 – 2                       7 – 4                       10 – 11

2 – 2                       5 – 14                    8 – 7                       No Answer – 7

3 – 5                       6 – 3                       9 – 3

  1. I feel welcome at Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 1                       4 – 0                       7 – 1                       10 – 43

2 – 0                       5 – 1                       8 – 4                       No Answer – 2

3 – 1                       6 – 1                       9 – 7

  1. I feel our different ethnic groups are united (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 2                       4 – 1                       7 – 5                       10 – 24

2 – 3                       5 – 4                       8 – 6                       No Answer – 4

3 – 1                       6 – 3                       9 – 8

61 responses

 

Survey Notes (Portuguese Mass) Total Surveys: 43

 

8-12 years of age- 0 surveys

13-18 years of age – 2 surveys

Likes: Speaking to god/asking for forgiveness

Needs: The parish is missing nothing—we already have everything we need

19-35 years of age – 6 surveys

 LIKES:

United family

Welcoming atmosphere by the two great priests (mentioned several times)

Wonderful Family atmosphere

The laid back feeling—nothing seems “forced”

Excellent priests

Mass in Portuguese

Diversity of the parish

NEEDS/IMPROVEMENTS:

Need to make parish aware of financial situation of the church so that contributions increase (showing both income and expenses)

More parishioner participation in events/in mass

Need Brighter colors/lighting

Would be nice to have a children’s mass

The parish offers a variety of social, spiritual and cultural events, we are missing parishioner engagement

Need children and youth programs/events

Need couple programs/events

Need: More organization: it sometimes feels that events are planned quickly, especially the more “special” masses

Need music—Portuguese choir needs to liven the music, attract more members

Need more programs for spiritual growth

Need commitment of volunteers

Portuguese mass on Saturday

Need more programs that join the 3 communities (masses, fundraisers, children’s programs)

The church is missing youth

Wish mass was later—very early

Missing unity in the three communities

Nothing would make it more attractive—here for a long time, this is “my church”

Suggestion: couple bible study

36-50 years of age – 0 surveys

The Portuguese survey was missing this category—most chose the 19-35 group

51-65 years of age – 20 surveys

LIKES:

United church family (mentioned several times)

Great priests (this was mentioned many times!!)

“Home” like feeling/welcoming feeling

Like the mass in Portuguese

Everything is wonderful!

Like the parties

NEEDS/IMPROVEMENTS:

Parking is an issue

Improve the music at masses (have music at all masses)

More spiritual activities

What is missing in the church: MONEY

Parishioners should be more understanding—the church shouldn’t ask what they can do for us, but what we can be doing for them!

More parishioner participation, especially from the American/Irish community

Need more cultural activities

Need more social activities

Need more spiritual activities/adoration (mentioned several times)

Need programs/events that will increase participation in masses, events, vigils, processions, etc.

Need more love among members—more unity of the communities (unity of the communities mentioned several times)

Need more interaction among parishioners and communities (more events uniting community)

English language classes

More Portuguese masses

Missions

Need more volunteers

People need better attitudes

66+ years of age – 15 surveys

LIKES:

Enjoy the friendship among parishioners

Really like the priests (several)

Love that our priests speak 3 languages

NEEDS/IMPROVEMENTS:

More spiritual programs (mentioned several times)

What’s missing: forca de vontade

Need to encourage/recruit people to help in events (always the same people)

What’s missing for the church: Money

Need more people to participate in masses and special ceremonies (mentioned several times)

More events: social, cultural and spiritual

Need more unity within the Portuguese community and the other communities (mentioned several times)

More youth and couple programs to attract people to the church (mentioned several times)

More spiritual events

Missions

Missa carismatica

Need more people at masses

 

 

Survey Notes (Spanish Mass) Total Surveys: 309

 

8-12 years of age- 9 surveys

Music

Chorus

More social and spiritual and youth activities retreats

13-18 years of age – 11 surveys

Enthusiasm

Raffles

More opportunities within mass

Leaders and Motivators

Cultural and Activities like theater, dance, youthful music in church

19-35 years of age – 37 surveys

Youth, social and spiritual activities

Bible Studies

Young Adult Activities

Deeper explanation of Scripture

More praying less singing

Small or separate room for small children (suggested within different age groups)

Counseling for relationships—individual and marriage

Unity

Youth Choir

Social Issue Talks on: bullying, drugs, abortion, etc

Rosaries in houses

36-50 years of age – 85 surveys

Involvement of Youth in Church

Unity Activities

Catechism and deepening of the faith

Matrimony Retreats

Social Issue Talks

Music too long take away form mass service

Spiritual Activities

Outreach in community to evangelize

Offerings for Church (more voluntary work for Church & educate parishioners on importance of generosity in offertory)

Have other times in church for adoration

Electronic Signs for announcements

Youth Choir

Commitment  & Involvement in church

Groups needs to be more knowledgeable in faith & humble servant leaders

Rotate families for Church Offertory (Involve of all parishioners)

Make parishioner announcements of new babies, birthdays, and anniversary to maintain  welcoming  environment

Family Activities

Welcoming committee to feel embraced by our church community

Unity (trilingual)

Outreach for evangelizing

More singing by all parishioners not just choir singing

Help with volunteering

Parking

Earlier Spanish mass on Saturdays

More persons announced for Masses for death anniversaries (Misa de difuntos)-

Mention three or more persons

51-65 years of age – 90 surveys

Parking

Bible Study

Music

Cultural, spiritual, & social activities

Handicapped Access (Please announce where the ramps are or have signage) and/or possible                             transportation

Use more application of daily life experiences when explaining scripture

Outreach to evangelize outside of church

More privacy & space for confessions (play music during confessions)

Theater & community sporting events

Explanation of different types of Prayer

Youth Mass every 5th Sunday (4 times a year)

Sidewalk signage for announcements

Better Sound System

Mission work

Retreats

Call to sick parishioners, blessings in homes, opportunities for Quinceañera blessings

Involve all parishioners in singing

Unity

Child care or catechism classes for small children during mass or Kids room

Commitment in volunteering

Youth visits for elderly, food drives, etc.

Better coordination of calendar events to avoid conflicts

 

66+ years of age – 77 surveys

Kids care room

Ask people to sit in the front of mass (rope the back seats in masses)

Place chorus in balcony

Volunteer commitment

Bible Study

Parking

Social and spiritual activities

Unity

Handicapped Accessibility

Better Sound System

Commitment of volunteers

Music

Retreats

Mass earlier on Saturdays

More comfortable seats or cushions

Offer healing masses– Padre Fernando from NY

Parishioners made aware of importance of being generous during the monetary offertory

More adoration times

More forms of communication with parishioners

Comments about our Priests

Many parishioners feel blessed and are very happy with Fr. Andy and Fr. Brendon

In the question what do you like best: Our Priests was the number 1 answer!

They like the passion in which they give the masses.

They are friendly, caring, dedicated, and spiritual.

Some desires:

More life applications with scripture.

People desire to engage more with Mass experience.

Invite Priests from other Churches or Countries

Outreach in other areas

Job and health fairs

Social Talks (Bullying, Drugs, Domestic Abuse, etc.)

Groups

Groups are dynamic; provide for more opportunities to deepen in the faith

Welcoming and Socialization Groups- Gatherings in church basement with coffee, bread, etc.

Committee to check into the sick of our parish

 Things To Do

Paint

More volunteer recruitment

More programs for kids and youth

Active Youth Group in parish

Better Seating

Earlier Mass on Saturdays

Brighter lights in church; hard to read at times

Pamphlets to follow Spanish Mass for new people

More flowers

Remove separation in pews

 

Survey Responses – 11:45 AM Mass – April 2, 2017

 

  1. What is your gender?

Female – 83          Male – 53

  1. What is your age range?

8–12 – 4      13–18 – 15      19–35 – 21      36–50 – 31      51–65 – 27      66 Plus – 34      Unknown – 4

  1. What is your preferred language?

English – 114      Spanish – 16      Portuguese – 4     Other – 2

  1. Are you a member of our parish?

Yes – 109              No – 24      No Reply – 3

  1. What do you like best about the parish?

The pastor and his efforts to make this a better parish

Locality

Very welcoming

Equality; Family oriented; Familiar faces

Diverse ethnic groups

Close-knit, caring parish

Music

The school

Stained glass windows

  1. What do you think the parish is missing?

Candles

More events for parishioners; Have different people participate in activities;

Giving more chances to others to participate in church groups

Fund-raising dinners

Social outreach

Bible study

More members in English choir

More singing; Old familiar hymns at a reasonable pitch for participation

More participation of the congregation at Mass, especially children

Another day for confession

Community outreach for those less fortunate

Bingo

  1. How can we make the parish more appealing to you?

Ringing of the church bell

Connect the three communities with activities / events – not just “cater” to one ethnic group

Fun game nights for parish members

Make activities more appealing to the young / Children’s Mass and Choir

Retreats

Church maintenance (carpeting, paint, pews, sound system)

Different musical instruments for English Mass

More upbeat singing

More parking / Handicapped accessible for wheelchairs

  1. What would you like the parish to offer?

Work with DeSales University to offer more spiritual events

More community service opportunities

More social activities (Bingo)

Dinners similar to raffle dinner

Summer block parties; Church picnic

Bible study

Retreats to develop faith

A better way for children to enjoy Mass

Coffee gathering or breakfast

Confession during the week

Mentoring for troubled individuals

  1. I am involved in Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 12                    4 – 10                    7 – 11                    10 – 19

2 – 5                       5 – 36                    8 – 8                       No Answer – 14

3 – 10                    6 – 6                       9 – 5

  1. I feel welcome at Holy Infancy Parish (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 1                       4 – 1                       7 – 6                       10 – 92

2 – 0                       5 – 2                       8 – 0                       No Answer – 4

3 – 1                       6 – 5                       9 – 15

  1. I feel our different ethnic groups are united (on a scale of 1 to 10).

1 – 5                       4 – 8                       7 – 10                    10 – 50

2 – 3                       5 – 11                    8 – 22                    No Answer – 4

3 – 4                       6 – 8                       9 – 11

136 responses