Catholic Church Organizational Summit Interviews
Quotes from St. Joseph Parish Community Discussions
Feb 17, 2009
During the preparation for the Summit, a group of 25 parishioners offered to conduct interviews with other members of the parish. Over 200 appointments were scheduled in order to ask about positive experiences as well as the hopes and dreams for the future of St. Joseph's. Quotes from these interviews were displayed in the church for all to enjoy.
Sample questions and answers:
What are St. Joseph's Strengths?
“I am proud when I hear from people who have attended a memorial Mass here because they are all so impressed by the service. This is a great opportunity to get a positive word out about our parish.”
How Have these Strengths Contributed to Your Life?
“St Joseph’s was life-giving for me when we had the Lenten prayer service and concert. That music was like a river of joy flowing through me.”
What Were Your Most MemorableTimes?
“I go to the Sunday evening Life Teen Mass every week. I love to sing along to the music, just like Sing-along with Mitch Miller used to be. It puts me in a good mood for the start of my week.”
More Parishioner Quotes
“My son took one look at the stained glass window over the altar and said ‘This is our church.’"
“While in Mexico on the Life Teen trip, I was stuccoing a house with three of our young men. One asked me if we could sing Amazing Grace together. I was so moved I began to cry…here were these young men: in a foreign country, in the hot sun, building a home for people we had just met, and they were singing Amazing Grace.”
“Part of my ministry is to visit women in jail. I asked the group, some of whom were knitting, “What is your favorite class?” One inmate, a grandmother said “You.” “When you come and visit us, that’s my favorite. We know you are connected to God. Number two…knitting!”
“St. Joseph’s has been a place for my children to connect with their faith. The two best gifts for your children are ‘roots and wings’. They’ve gotten a lot of their roots here.”
“I feel a humble pride in the reverence shown by our parish during the Good Friday service...most touching when I see all the people go down to kiss the cross; particularly those who have a disability. Jesus is there.”
On Pastor Matt Pennington
“I like Father Matt's homilies and enjoy his humor, relevance, and reverence. He uses excellent imagery and is a great storyteller.”
“Father Matt's delivery is genuine yet sacred, with pauses in all the right places. It feels like there's a direct connection from him to God. It has led me on the path to get involved in the church.”
Hopes and Visions
"More inter-generational activities."
"Orientations for new parishioners."
"Expand website to make it more interactive."
Comments from the interviews were addressed during the Summit weekend and action teams were formed to develop plans for the realization of these goals.
Related Article: Planning a Church Organizational Summit by June Smith
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