Phase I Response

We will support you in any way we can towards the completion of our church’s progress when it comes to repairs, improvements, and solving safety issues of our building. Yes! The people make the church, but we also believe that the church is an extension of who we are as a worshipping community. It is our second home basically as we go through the phases of our life- triumphs; trials; and spiritual education for our children and nurturing our faith as adults.

We need the staff! We need the staff! Amen to that. We need warm bodies responsible (directly) to co-ordinate movements/activities for our church. Our church is so vibrant due to volunteers. Yes, we need those committed figures to guide us what and how to go through our plans for our future!

Building a New church on New land would be a more sound solution. Why throw more money at something that hasn’t worked in 20 years. The current building has too many problems ie engineering, safe environment, aesthetics, & logistics.

Buy enough land to meet our needs for the next 20 years; build an appropriate church to meet our needs.

Stop wasting our money on this building. I’m sure we would have enough money after selling off the church and property to purchase a proper sight.

The coordinator of volunteer ministries is a great idea! There are so many areas where no one wants to head up a committee or activity. This position should help with all those that need Virtus training, too. Our church should host a Virtus training to make it easier for our volunteers. Some areas where we need help from the coordinator of volunteer ministry – nursery program, vacation Bible school, children’s liturgy at all masses, Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Parish Pig Roast, Christmas program (children’s), Feast of St. Nick, etc. Halloween Party, Easter Egg Hunt.

Re: area behind choir: For years I have been telling ushers and office people that there must be a 4 foot aisle for egress. I believe this is also a requirement for your insurance. From the position of the present pews in that back row the 4 foot requirement is met. However chairs were placed behind the pews making the aisle less than 4 feet and an obstacle in moving through there without an emergency situation.

Could we not get our staffing needs covered by volunteers? We have many retired in the parish that have worked in offices. This would fill the staffing needs and lower the payroll.

I propose a suggestion box in the commons. The music is terrible (at least at the 5 pm on Saturday.)

I think the Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries is a good idea. There is so much Justice and Peace can do but there needs to be a coordinator. Members of the committee work and are willing to do many of the activities but don’t have much time to make phone calls, research, and organize. Hopefully this will help with youth activities as well. We so much need to let the youth know they are an important and needed part of our community.

Though there are structural needs that we need to be addressing, I am not aware of the programs within the church. Perhaps it is not only necessary to staff them, but to promote them to the parish as well. Although from this I cannot tell what you are going to staff but the Coordinator position which is a good first step. I hope there will be an opportunity for the church to be involved as well.

One “problem” from a mom’s point of view is that I must choose between participating and feeling like I am in church and removing my young child if they act up. If I remove my child the wood doors to the vestibule close and I am disconnected. A simple fix would be to replace the wood doors with glass ones. This would allow families outside to still feel a part of the service while allowing youngsters a place to move or calm down. It would also allow more light into the back of the church. The speakers have already been installed, which is a benefit.

The changes to the building seem to be something many people are happy about. It is a little sad to see so many changes all at once, but it will definitely make it safer and that’s good. A coordinator of volunteers is a good idea. The job should be a full time job for someone.

I am very pleased with the progress we’ve made in sprucing up, moving the choir/pews, etc. I would like to know of the plans to correct our drainage problems. (French drain? Swale? Curbing/guttering? Etc.)

Would like to have the Day Care reopened or some other program for children – preschool age Monday thru Fridays.

Fix ladies room door so the hinges are on the opposite side soothe door doesn’t hit people when opening.

Totally agree with “repairs and improvements” to the sanctuary. Rework to get rid of odd angles, ramps and steps should be highest priority.

I agree with Fr. Jim’s comment about the beauty of the exposed wood beams in ceiling. While making improvements, change the white wire chases used for the fans to brown or tan. I know brown or tan are available. Whoever installed that wasn’t using their (his/her) head.

The “Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries” sounds like unnecessary bureaucratic management overhead. I would want to see a much better complete job description before supporting this new staff position.

We need to be inclusive and welcome all youth. The program should be determined by adults and youth, not established by adults only.

By inclusive I mean – open to all our youth (Catholic) and to their friends in all churches in the area.

Division of a Senior Youth Ministry as well as a Junior Youth Ministry – with activities based on their interests and needs. Initial activities should focus on identifying each youth’s strengths – group bonding and developing a program that includes fun activities, social justice, and adult advisors who are caring and non-judgmental.

I feel strongly that safety and security are #1 priorities. By all means, do what you need to do to improve drainage issues and to correct the uneven sanctuary floor (eliminate steps, add railings, whatever needs to be done). However, giving the sanctuary a “fresh new look” sounds cosmetic to me. That money would be better spent on ministries. The sanctuary as it is creates an atmosphere conducive to prayer and contemplation. If anything, I would remove the large figure of Christ on the cross. It is distracting because I doubt that it looks anything like the historical Christ. It looks more like Michael Landon. As far as ministry, I completely agree that youth ministry needs a strong leader.

1. Present facilities created with much scrutiny! Building Committee, architect, liturgical consultant, review with parishioners in open forum, review with diocese committee. Do not see that in present changes. Overnight, we had a new choir location. Required moving two areas completely. Will require new construction moving the two areas completely again! If waited for new construction, could have done it in one area movement, not four areas. Who decided anyway? One step now is a safety disaster; ask any architect!

2. Before anything is changed in altar and worship area for “pseudo” safety issue, hopefully there will be multiple options reviewed prior to selection of final design. As noted above, any architect or safety engineer will tell you that a one-setp design is a disaster waiting to happen. We have seen exclusively 2-step altars and zero one step altars nationwide! It is an overemphasized problem that is not sound!