OTHER RESPONSES FROM PARISHIONER

It will be sad if we go through the renovations and then realize it doesn’t meet our needs. Even Cornerstone Fellowship had foresight to buy land and build a new church. So should we because of the impending growth.

Growth is necessary for the continued future of any worthwhile endeavor. The physical changes are excellent and needed. The staffing changes can only enhance the interaction between the church and its members.

Support parish events, programs and activities through parishioners and additional ministries. Ex: Integrate the youth program to support parish activities (parish pig roast, Halloween Party and Easter Egg hunt) through volunteer work. The youth of our church use to be more active and actually sponsored and organized the children’s Easter Egg Hunt & the Halloween Party. They were also actively involved in the children’s games for the parish pig roast.

EXIT DOORS: We have only two exit doors from the sanctuary both are on the same side of the building. I am aware of the terrible “non-flow” of people from the main exit to the commons. People stop. They don’t move out of the way. If ever there was a reason to exit this church in an emergency I f ear some would be lost.

I suggest a fire drill some Sunday after mass to see just how the traffic would flow.

Father, with ministries being staffed by few we need a recruiting drive to fill the ministries. The ushers for example. Last Sunday one regularly scheduled usher showed up for the assigned mass. Need to fill these ministries with volunteers so that if one person cannot make it there are others who can fill in. I believe a recruiting drive actively pursued can produce these results. Actively pursued means speaking about it at mass weekly, letting the people know how many are needed and what the results are weekly. Surely the youth of the parish can take a collection up, can seat people. Also when it’s mentioned that ushers can assist those with children remind the ushers not to walk the other way when a child is unruly. It is very annoying when you speak to hear children screaming and no usher around. Thank you.

There seems to be little spiritual planning. I understand physical space is a want, spiritual space and planning should be a need. I would like to see more emphasis placed on programs for the youth and adult catechesis in our parish. Staff hours could be increased to accommodate needs of the parish.

I am a retired Facilities Engineer from Merriott International and have extensive experience in building construction, maintenance, and planning for same. If our Parish Planning Team would like my input, I’ll be more than happy to help.

Eventually obtain all properties in corner from Belroi Rd. to Rt. 17 to Main St.

I truly appreciate the “deliberate” approach Fr. Jim has taken to address parish needs.

I was turned off and tuned out by the temporary administrator’s approach to turn things upside down within 4-6 weeks of his arrival. Evolution vs. revolution is, in my opinion, a much better approach. This approach allows input from us, the church, and avoids the impression that the parish “belongs” to the priest.

Altar servers – we “must” go back to a scheduled list of altar servers like we have for Eucharistic Ministers and readers. At the present time we are excluding young Catholic kids who are not serving.

All projects should go through a bidding process to ensure the best work for the most reasonable price.

Don’t change anything for the sake of “looks” or trendiness. Good preaching and good people are timeless and will draw ‘em in.

Perhaps the biggest mistake made in carpeting the worship space was the use of a single color. What should be done is to make each level a contrast between dark brown and light brown thus meeting safety criteria and also eliminating that awful trashy looking white tape on the floor. Pretty simple idea in retrospect!

Day chapel design was for “Full View” upon entering worship space, yet behind you during liturgy when “real” presence takes place! The most beautiful day chapel we’ve seen is in Hilton Head, SC – and it is open 24 hours a day! Now that is where you can really go and pray!