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Visioning Survey Results
In the Spring of 2013, nearly 750 IHM Visioning Surveys were completed. The majority of respondents were women (61%) and between the ages of 25 and 64 (82%). Nearly 9 in 10 responses were English-language surveys. More than half attend Mass only (versus School only or School and Mass). About a third of the respondents attend either the 9:00 a.m. or the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Masses. Over half of the respondents have been parishioners of IHM for more than six years.
Community"As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:12
- Make a collective effort to recognize visitors at Mass
- Enlist parishioners to host Welcome Dinners for new members at IHM
- Engage more youth in parish ministries
- Map out how our ministries address all ages
- Create more multi-cultural and parish/school social events
- Explore feasibility of a full-time Youth Minister
- Create more ways to more effectively reach our surrounding community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Education
"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." - Romans 12:2- Recommend ways of offering Liturgy of the Word for Children on a more regular basis
- Increase involvement of clergy and parish staff at IHM School and Parish School of Religion
- Establish a task force to examine student services offered by IHM School
- Include faith formation articles in the weekly bulletin
- Identify additional adult faith formation offerings
- Explore whether offering Vacation Bible School and a parish pre-school would enhance our Catholic educational objectives
- Offer service opportunities that combine the School and Parish School of Religion
Service"As you did it to the least of my brothers, you did it to me." - Romans 12:2
- Host semi-annual meeting of Ministry Leaders to promote communication and collaboration
- Spotlight parish ministries during and after Mass with sign-up opportunities
- Pair English and Spanish speaking ministry leadership
- Establish an Electronic Communication Committee to improve overall communications
- Explore feasibility of increase Nursery offerings
- Seek additional service opportunities in the areas surrounding the parish
- Further promote IHM Parish as a charitable and just faith community
Stewardship
"As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10- Re-establish Pastoral Council with term limits
- Implement new Welcome and Registration plan
- Promote GRACE Scholars program in order to fund needs-based scholarships at IHM School
- Establish Legacy Committee to promote planned giving
- Increase parish and school financial transparency
- Implement Living Your Strengths program to identify parishioner talents
- Expand volunteer training and recognition
- Provide easier access to short term service opportunities
- Create Small Faith Groups
- Develop a long-range plan for facilities growth and debt reduction
Worship
"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." - 1 Corinthians 12:27- Provide volunteer retreat opportunities for all liturgical ministries
- Establish a music planning committee to ensure a greater variety in the study of music offered at Mass
- Increase cooperation between the School and the Parish, and heighten awareness of the School's ministries by having Children's Choir at select weekend liturgies
- Make the sanctuary more accessible by installing a railing near the ambo
- Better promote Parish youth involvement in liturgical ministries
- Explore the effectiveness of the current Mass schedule and possibility of adding additional Masses