My dear parishioners,
We recently completed the feasibility study for the parish and school that tested our long-range plans and assessed our readiness to address the priorities of that plan. Nearly 30% of the parish and school community participated in the study conducted by the Steier Group. Thank you for taking time to help us create a vibrant future for this community of faith. During the presentation of the study findings and recommendations, I was touched by your experience of our community as "welcoming," "growing," "dynamic," and "appreciated."
There were clear challenges, too, that were offered in the study report. We know that we must better communicate the vision of what kind of community St. Theresa Parish and School wants to be. We were challenged to articulate more clearly what is getting in the way of our becoming the community we know we can be, and to present concrete plans for how we will redress those obstacles.
This study is one more part of our long-range planning process and helps us move more confidently to the next step. My role as pastor is to make Christ known in this community and to call us all to respond in love to God who is Love. In sharing with you the summary of the study’s findings and recommendations, we continue our journey that will take us to new life as a community, a journey we so vividly celebrated on Easter.
FEASIBILITY STUDY SUMMARY
Prepared by the Steier Group
Participation. 308 individuals or households participated in the study through a personal interview (74), the mail-in or on-line survey (95), or the in-pew survey (139). The entire parish and school community totaling approximately 1,050 were invited to participate. This is a very strong 30% rate of participation.
36% of study participants reported being familiar with or very well informed about the planning process and the projects under consideration.
37% reported being vaguely aware.
27% either did not respond or indicated they were unaware of the process.
Attributes of St. Theresa. The following attributes were most often mentioned by participants:
St. Theresa in Memorial Park is an intimate, friendly, and welcoming community.
The growth in the community is evident in the increased number of young people and families.
Father Phil Lloyd leads a strong pastoral team in providing dynamic leadership for the parish and school community.
St. Theresa Catholic School plays an important role in the life of the parish and is experiencing renewed life and focus.
Statistical Data. The following are the major findings of the study:
71% of study participants expressed support for a capital campaign. The Steier Group likes to see this percentage at 70% or greater.
69% said they would support a capital campaign with a personal gift or pledge. The Steier Group likes to see this percentage at 70% or greater. Many who expressed uncertainty wanted to know more about the plans before offering their support.
71 members of the parish and school community offered to help lead a capital campaign as volunteers.
Key Observations. These observations are summaries of major themes in the qualitative responses in the study:
St. Theresa is ready to move confidently into its future.
Respondents laud the leadership in the parish and school.
New and younger families are adding excitement and challenges, which can also be unsettling.
The school and parish benefit from one another and these ties can be deepened.
Some confusion and uncertainty was introduced by the lag in the planning process.
Plans should include upgrades to mechanical systems and the church.
Respondents expressed the need for greater transparency and communication during the planning process.
The re-purposing of the Community Center is creating concern among some who worked hard on that project.
WHERE TO FROM HERE?
The feasibility study clearly outlines both the opportunities and challenges we face as a parish and school community. The study gives me confidence to lead us to the next phase of planning which will be preparing for the campaign. This planning phase will include:
Articulating a vision for this community that ties plan elements together.
Convening a planning committee that reviews feasibility study results and initial plans with the architect. We can then move to finalize plans and prepare renderings to help us all visualize the plans.
Developing a communication plan that shares with the entire parish community the study findings, our parish vision and plan for proceeding.
Parish Convocation on Sunday, April 18.
I am inviting the St. Theresa community to a parish convocation that will begin to address the desire expressed by many in the study to learn more about the planning process, the challenges we face, and details of the long-range plan. Please join us in the Community Center following the 10 AM Mass (about 11 AM) for this one hour convocation on Sunday, April 18.
With every good wish,
Father Phil