Pastoral Council Availability Weekend Summary of Comments (New comments are in italics and responses/actions taken are in blue)

Transcription

1 Pastoral Council Availability Weekend Summary of Comments (New comments are in italics and responses/actions taken are in blue) August 2017 All is good A thanks for representing the Pastoral Council at 5 p.m. Mass Can anything be done about the relative warmth in the church? Ceiling fans have been suggested for some air movement. A Questions regarding sale of the land Love Fr. Mauricio What was the picture on the offertory envelope? A Maintenance guy doing a great job If we need more space, why don t we use the office in the rectory for prayer or meeting space? A Please announce the name of the celebrant before Mass. W Invite children to come up after Mass for a blessing even if only once a month. W Question about registering for 1 st Communion. Was told to call the office for information. Question about land sale status Would it be possible to include military/police/firefighters in Sunday prayer of the faithful more frequently? W June 2017 Thumbs up from one couple. They thanked Fr. Terry for not putting the parish in debt for the new addition. A lady from Fargo, ND asked about votive candles. I read her the response (on the FAQ) re: the Fire Code issue and she understood. However, this was the only parish she has ever been to with no candles. Outstanding Can t wait for the picnic! During the adoration there were times when no one was in the church and the host was left uncovered/exposed. Is there a cover that can be provided so that someone who is leaving can cover it up if there isn t anyone there? W May 2017 Great idea for new parish addition without huge costs. F New parishioners (1 year) suggested Sunday R.E. for kids. F (Weekdays are) too difficult for kids and parents/teachers to make it on time and kids are tired. Sunday would be best for some families. Need more hours for confession. W Addressed in the April 2016 bulletin Q & A Beautiful First Communion! W Out of bulletins today and at Easter. A Answered in August, 2017 Q&A

2 Comment no Problems. April 2017 Enjoys the parish and only wishes the youth ministry was this good five years ago? No flowers to the sanctuary during Lent. Can a pulpit announcement be made? The Art & Environment Committee spends too much time cleaning them up. Anyone bringing flowers after Lent is asked to put them in a vase. W Post a sign on the door to remind people to turn off their cell phones. A/W Need more confession time perhaps Saturday mornings or maybe after the 9 a.m. weekday Masses. W Addressed in an April, 2016 Q & A as follows: With only two priests to serve this busy parish, it is not possible to schedule additional, consistent times for reconciliation. Anyone may contact the office to set up a time for personal reconciliation with either priest. We also offer Penance Services with multiple priests during Lent and Advent. We will consider adding times as schedules allow. Pulpit announcement was not made at the end of Mass None Votive candles again. Referred to website for more details. W This question was addressed in the July bulletin Q&A as follows: Due to Aurora fire code, we may not have open flames (such as votive candles) in our space. While our Sanctuary Light is allowed with precautions, we do not have an area large enough to be renovated for votive candles, to be compliant with fire code. Additional comment: Votive candles will not be included in the new space. March 2017 There are a lot of leftover food items in the sanctuary pews (e.g. doughnuts, sandwiches, cheerios, etc.). It is difficult for the Art & Environment Ministry to clean it all up, especially when food is stuffed down the small pencil holders. Could an announcement be made to remind people that food is not allowed in the worship space? Fr. Terry will plan a pulpit announcement. Move the cross in the gathering space to the worship space please. Not many know it is there it is so beautiful. It would be so reflective in our worship space. There is a cross in the church and that is all that is supposed to be there. Parish is great. Thank you. When is building collection done? Deacon Chris wants massages for Deacons. Why do we not have ushers who lead people to their seats instead of standing in the back? Greeters offer to find people who are standing a seat but many prefer not to sit in the worship space and prefer to stand in the back or in the gathering space. It would be preferable for all to be in the pews, but cannot force the issue. Fr. Terry reminds us that we never know what is in people s hearts or their reasons for doing certain things. 30 minutes for a homily is too long (comment made by 3 people). Include uniformed personnel (e.g. police, military, etc.) as a standard part of the Prayers of the Faithful. We do this fairly regularly and will continue to do so. Can we get better sound deadening in Syrianey Hall? It s very hard to hear/converse when events are happening.

3 February 2017 It would be nice to have a specific place (in the gathering space) for Mass intentions. For instance, a little box with the envelopes and a place to leave it. When we sing a new song in Mass, could we repeat it again the next couple of weeks so we could learn it? (For example, The Lead me to the light song.) Songs are sung at least two weeks in a row. An exception is when a song that is specific to a reading is used the second week. We really need to push on-line giving more. Even if people start at $5 a month. They can always cancel it if they need to. The entrances to the parking lot need reflectors. Please! All outside lighting is being evaluated as part of the building project. Activities not in bulletin! And on line! Contact numbers would help. I look at the list by the office every week but some change. Some people may not know how to find events. Vigil (votive?) candles please!! July 2016 Q&A Install some sort of handrail on steps next to ambo for readers and Eucharistic Ministers. Please announce at the beginning of Mass that, if your child is crying or loud during Mass, please the child to the overflow space. Easter Parking plan to ease traffic. January :00 a.m. Mass Request to have the choirs or music groups be more open to new volunteers. A 15 year old girl was denied inclusion because she wasn t 18. People find it difficult to sing along when the music group changes up the song. Difficult to follow. They are still not plowing the west handicapped parking lot. Someday, four corner ceiling fans to help stuffiness. Remind who clears snow Saturdays and Sundays, to clear snow by the music shed as it gets no sun. The 8:45 a.m. choir leaves books, papers, and all sorts of things in the pews. Also, both choirs have all sorts of coats/books, etc. on the front row of seats and on the floor. It looks really sloppy. December :00 a.m. Mass The 5 p.m. Mass does not get donuts, coffee, etc., so parishioner is requesting wine and (Wisconsin) cheese after Mass. Loved the Prayer for Advent song. Lamb of God too slow. Didn t know the words sung for Prayers of the Faithful. Maybe announce at the start of Mass. Please don t have craft fair tables in the hallway. It is as safety issue and against fire code. (Numerous people mentioned this.) November 2016 Words of appreciation for all the Pastoral Council does.

4 7:00 a.m. Mass What s going on with the Master Plan and the property across the street? Update from Fr. Terry 1/1/17. Also on the website. Letter sent out to all registered parishioners the week of February 6, What is an update on the sale of the land across the street and when will remodeling begin? Update from Fr. Terry 1/1/17. Also on the website. Letter sent out to all registered parishioners the week of February 6, Why do we recite the St. Michael s prayer only at the 6 a.m. Mass? It would be good to recite it at the end of all Masses, especially now. Will the parish ever have votive candles? July 2016 Q & A Can funeral times be posted with the names? There was a young red haired girl who was sitting with an adult in the choir a couple weeks ago. She was rolling on the floor and was very fidgety very distracting. One lady in the choir wears football jerseys every now and then. Wasn t there a dress code for people leading the worship service? Why do we bow during parts of the Creed? February 18/19, 2017 Q&A Really don t like the political preaching from the pulpit or altar. Is it possible to have a First? And, can you put in the bulletin all the indulgences we can receive by going to First es? Would like to have an usher to tell children they need to leave when they are crying, especially during the Consecration. October 2016 An appreciative comment re: the Mass being kept to one hour or less. Request for registration form. Provided Choir is wonderful. September 2016 The Mission last week was wonderful. A parishioner recommends we pray the St. Michael s prayer at the end of weekend Masses too. (Maybe for the month of September?) Why did front of bulletin change? (Second time this person asked.) October Q&A. Maybe reinforce that elderly parishioners need to get a hold of a greeter if they need Communion brought to their seat during Mass. 7:00 a.m. Mass Recommendation not to show (in the financials) the amount we are over budget. He thinks people look at this and think the Parish is doing fine and does not need their financial help. Reflectors to show where the curbs and walk ways are. Finance Council is looking at lighting. Appropriate, modest, non-distracting attire for anyone serving, reading, making announcements - anyone in front of the congregation (bringing up gifts, etc.) Show pictures of appropriate/inappropriate attire. Requested votive candles Council member shared Q&A on this Parishioner asked if the Adoration Chapel could be moved to the new addition so it is in a more quiet area. What will the parking situation look like after the addition is completed?

5 Non-Mass specific Why are the wedding anniversary blessings at only one Mass? Why can t they be at the end of each Mass on the designated weekend? August 2016 What happened to bulletin front page? There s no more listing of events. October Q&A. Can parishioners get a missal through St. Michael s? One parishioner orders a monthly missal online. Why are video (tv) screens (sometimes) off during Mass times? Can we get young adults to participate in the Mass? (ushers, lectors, collection baskets) Parishioner likes the carpet. July 2016 Could we list in the bulletin the priests who are saying each Mass on the weekend? Ceiling fans to help circulation? Suggest a survey to find out what kind of adult education parishioners would like (that aren t already offered). June 2016 How do I have a Mass said for someone? Parishioners would like to see this in the bulletin periodically. Bulletin Q&A July 9/10, 2016 Request for registration card PC member provided one Why no votive candles in chapel Bulletin Q&A July 2/3, 2016 Outside doors are too heavy for some to open as they come in. Other Could we have additional handicap parking spaces? A woman said she has noticed parishioners who would benefit from handicap parking having to walk quite a distance because no handicap spaces were available. May 2016 Susan has a nice singing voice. Bell choir members talked too much before Mass. When pianist started the prelude they got even louder. Crowning of Mary how will that be done? Mother s day falls on Ascension Sunday, so there will be ceremonial crowning of Mary. Statues of Mary in the church have been crowned for the month of May. Please announce the celebrant before Masses. It helps new parishioners learn who is who. Why did we stop asking parents to accompany children to restrooms? Too many children wandering around alone now. 12:30 p.m. Would it be possible to occasionally do the Anointing of the Sick at the 6 a.m. Mass vs. the 9 a.m. Mass? April 2016

6 The light over the piano tends to blind a person sitting in the pews near there. Elizabeth sent out a reminder to pianists to turn the light off when they are not playing. Remind parishioners not to eat or drink in worship space. Parishioner attends Wednesday morning Bible Study in overflow space where food and drink is not allowed. This can difficult, frustrating to not be allowed food and drink there but see people with food and drink at Mass. Clarification: Parishioner wondered if signs or some other notification could be posted as a reminder that food and drink are not allowed in the worship space. Also, could the policy of no food and drink in the overflow space be revised? Fr. Terry suggested that the current policy be clarified prior to any discussion, etc. How comfortable the pews are compared to the old chairs. Are we going to have a special dinner/potluck for Fr. Riley & Fr. Felicien? Celebration of Fr. Mbala will be during the parish picnic on June 11, Fr. Riley has already left the state. Would like to set up some kind of fund to help Fr. Riley during his new assignment. Heard he will be in need. If a parishioner would like to send a donation to Fr. Riley, the parish office has his new address. Experience is excellent. Parking issue on Easter. Music is fantastic. On Holy Thursday, there was a lot of snow remaining on walkways, including the main path from the parking lot. Need to ensure that snow is removed even when Steve is gone. March 2016 A request for family weekend retreats to be held at the parish. Retreats found online are too expensive. It would really help the parish families to have more opportunities for growth if retreats were offered. Why don t we have votive candles placed by the statue of Mary to light and pray by? These are missed and other Catholic churches have them. Bulletin Q&A July 2/3, 2016 The female choir director talks to her group too much before Mass. Why does the priest always stand in the same place to give out communion? Tissue boxes should be available in the church during funerals. There should be a St. Michael s sign at the west entrance to the parking lot. Finance Council investigating There should be headphones for the hearing impaired that go over the outside of the ear and pick up from microphones. Have reconciliation on a day during the week in addition to Saturdays. This might help the lines. Addressed in an April Q & A. February and es A gentleman suggested that we have a membership drive to encourage people to register for the parish. A gentleman asked if we could add an additional day/time during the week for confessions. He suggested a late afternoon or evening so that people who work can attend. He felt adding an additional day would help lessen the crowd on Saturdays. Addressed in an April Q & A. A parishioner unable to walk up for Communion suggested that we have a small stick flag of some sort that people can pick up as they walk into the church. At a determined time, perhaps right before Communion starts, the person would hold it up. That way the Eucharistic Ministers will be able to very easily see who needs Communion brought to his/her seat. If a parishioner needs communion to be brought to him/her, let a greeter know prior to Mass. The greeter will make sure a Eucharistic Minister takes communion to the person.

7 Asking parishioners to remain standing during the announcements is psychologically a positive thing and a good idea to do when possible. I ve noticed people don t roll their eyes or heavy sigh when Fr. Terry does this and I think it s because they think the announcements will be quick if asked to remain standing. Maybe this will help some people not to be so grumpy about it. It might be and easy fix to that issue. Fr. Terry continues to ask people to remain standing unless it is a lengthy announcement, e.g. a letter from the Archbishop. A bulletin board of some sort in the lobby with the names of the recently deceased members of the Parish. Several of our parishioners missed out on funerals of casual friends because they didn t know someone had passed away. Bulletin Q&A June 18/19, 2016 What is the proper way to dispose of palms from the previous years Palm Sunday services? Answered in a March, 2016 Q & A January 2016 Comments from parents at a Youth Ministry meeting Would like to see more participation and involvement Like to co-mingle ideas faith and fun Younger classes, tweens/teens, like to have fun too! Maybe set aside minutes for a game Is there a need to train or mentor the teachers Archdiocese have anything like this? Saturday St. Michael s can save money by not mass printing separate information that is already in the bulletin. Everything is good! Good pass down of information through bulletin. The kitchen is in need of a major upgrade. The kitchen is not equipped to handle large cooking events. Addressed in an April Q & A. Temperature in the worship space is very inconsistent. Very hot or very cold. Can vents in upper part of worship space be opened to draw out hot air? 7 and es Suggestion that the sound of the congregation be fed into the cry room (overflow space). Currently, only the priest and cantor are heard there. Parishioner thinks that if the rest of the congregation were heard, the people in the overflow space would feel more connected and part of the Mass instead of isolated from the community. Sent to Worship Council February, Addressed by Fr. Terry. Not a possibility due to feedback, etc. Getting away from agreements of the original building committee, e.g. kneeling (or not kneeling). Suggests that those agreements be reviewed. The trumpet should be muted all the time. It s too overpowering in the worship space. Once Mass begins, close the doors and have ushers open or close doors. There is too much noise coming from the gathering space. 12:30 Mass Can we have a listing of some sort with recently deceased parishioners/upcoming funerals? Bulletin Q&A June 18/19, 2016 Also listed on the monitors in the gathering space. Word & Song doesn t flow well. Can we have some more insight into which prayers we re using (if they re in the book)? Other At the beginning of the offertory, why do the deacon s ask the children to bring their gifts for Jesus? The money isn t for Jesus (he doesn t need it). It s for the parish. That sounds weird. Some deacons have changed to say the children s offerings are to help do the work of Jesus, or something similar Some of the homilies are too long. At the on the Sunday after Christmas, the homily was 24 minutes long. December 2015

8 Need more light in walkway in front of main church entrance. It is too dark in the winter and the ice can make it especially dangerous. I love the church. December 2015 There is a short supply of handicap parking spots, especially near the office. Please tell the snow plow crews not to push extra snow into a handicap spot. Need more lights in the parking lot. Finance Council investigating Would like to see new faces volunteering at St. Michael s. The same people seem to volunteer for several activities/events. A woman wondered if we could put chairs along the wall during confession. She noticed that some people, especially the elderly, were standing for a very long time. She said she has waited for 1 ½ hours in the past. Would it be possible to put some chairs up from SH before confession and have them removed right before Mass or after Mass? Per Rita, the maximum number of chairs for the space is out. Parishioners are encouraged to continue the line in the pews, beginning with the small pew closest to the end of the chairs along the wall. A couple people asked about the new building. Fr. Terry addressed at Masses in January, Update letter sent to parishioners 8/11/16 8:45, 10:30, and 12:30 Masses Need better penance directions. Where lines start, spacing. Lights in parking lot. Finance Council investigating Need more confession times. Addressed in April Q & A Choir section first row in front of singers looks junky with papers, books, coats. Looks bad. Decorate Marian statue during holidays, e.g. flower crown. All interior statues of Mary are crowned each May for the month. Asked if we have an Adoration Chapel. Happy to be welcomed. Put sales events in Syrianey Hall instead of hallway. Music program is phenomenal. Need more disabled parking on church end of the building (12:30? is tight for the spaces). Wheelchair areas are too close to vents can be very uncomfortable. More updates on parish center/capital campaign, please! November and es A gentleman was extremely annoyed with the announcements at the end of Mass. He said the announcements should be in the bulletin. (include this in the bulletin feature?) March, 2016 Q&A How to sign up for First Holy Communion classes. New family (Spanish). Responded with information about registration, new parishioner events, and Spanish Mass (they knew about the Mass). Q&A January 2016 Recently divorced woman expressed thanks for St. Michael s Parish. Gentleman wants more emphasis, and specific directions, on how to tithe electronically. March, 2016 Q&A A woman saying she s in remission from ovarian cancer. A woman at Starbucks said the Council Availability weekends are a great idea. Many comments about how wonderful St. Michael s is. Many St. Michael s is great comments. November 2015

9 Father Terry is vital to our parish. A from the beginning parishioner couple sends their children to Our Lady of Loreto but attends Mass at St. Michael s. They feel Fr. Terry is so positive, gives great sermons, really seems to care about the congregation, and is just so vital to the health of the parish. A gentleman asked if an announcement can be included at the beginning of Mass reminding parents to take their children out of the sanctuary if they start acting up during Mass. A parishioner who wanted information regarding how to enroll children in different areas. Responded with a welcome and the promise of an invitation to a New Member s Dinner. The size of the congregation is not too large. Don t rush through Mass.