In May of 2002 the Parish Building Committee and Father Michael contracted an independent consulting firm, Keith Consulting, to help us create a survey and summarize all the results. The purpose of the survey was two fold. First we wanted to gather information and suggestions from parishioners to assist us in the planning phase of our Worship Space improvement project. Second we were taking advantage of the opportunity to gather general suggestions regarding the parish. The information obtained has, and will help us better serve the current and future needs of the parish.

 

The following is the summarized results of the survey we conducted.

 

Further details can be obtained by contacting Father Michael through the parish office of St. Gabriels.

Summary of Participants

 

402 Surveys Completed

232 Women, 147 Men

306 Married, 44 Single, 11 Widowed

211 Have Children Living at Home

 

20 years old & under - 3 %

21- 30 years old - 3 %

31- 40 years old - 13 %

41- 50 years old - 24 %

51- 60 years old - 25 %

60 years old & above - 32 %

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Checking for Parish Awareness

 

Were you aware that current space does not comply with liturgical guidelines?

230 Yes 162 No

 

Were you aware the Parish Building Committee was formed to investigate options?

371 Yes 23 No

 

Were you aware the committee was considering:

 

Possibly doing nothing: 124 Yes 187 No

Renovate existing bldg: 232 Yes 86 No

Renovate & expand existing bldg: 250 Yes 89 No

Build new Church on existing land: 256 Yes 92 No

Build new Church on acquired land: 227 Yes 120 No

 

Were you aware we had already saved a considerable amount of the funding required?

240 Yes 143 No

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Checking for Parish Support

 

I believe the creation of a new worship space would be beneficial?

 

Strongly Agree 52%

Somewhat Agree 33%

Somewhat Disagree 10%

Strongly Disagree 5%

 

 

I believe building a new worship space would be a good use of our resources?

 

Strongly Agree 52%

Somewhat Agree 30%

Somewhat Disagree 14%

Strongly Disagree 4%

 

I would be willing or able to donate in addition to my normal giving?

 

Strongly Agree 27%

Somewhat Agree 46%

Somewhat Disagree 15%

Strongly Disagree 12%

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Seeking to Identify Opportunities

 

What aspects of our current Worship Space are most important to keep?

The following list is in descending order of responses

 

The Current Atmosphere

Outside Worship Space

Current Building or Layout

Church Icons

Windows

Altar/Crucifix

Keep Everything As Is

Light, Bright Open Space

Cry Room

Seating

Music/Choir/ Acoustics

 

More specifics on aspects most important to keep in descending order

 

The Current Atmosphere with 84 comments

Family Feeling

Informal, Casual

Feeling of Intimacy

Sense of Community

Welcoming Environment

 

Outside Worship Space with 81 comments

Appreciate This Option

Sound System to Hear Mass

Draws More People to Mass

 

Current Building or Layout with 67 comments

Chapel Area with Pews

Library

Circular Style

Unobstructed Views of Altar

Use Current Building for Some Other Purpose

Parking

 

Church Icons with 57 comments

Statues

Stations of the Cross

Candles

 

Windows with 57 comments

Lots of Windows

Etched Windows

 

Altar/Crucifix with 48 comments

Visible Tabernacle

Location of Altar

Sanctuary

 

Keep Everything As Is with 44 comments

Satisfied with Current Worship Space

Don’t Change Anything

 

Light, Bright, Open Space with 41 comments

Large Windows, Lots of Light

Openness of the Building

Skylights

 

Cry Room with 20 comments

 

Seating with 14 comments

Kneelers

Adequate Seating

 

Music, Choir, Acoustics with 10 comments

Organ

Music, Singing

Good Acoustics & Sound System

What aspects of our Worship Space or Parish are most important to change or create new?

The following list is in descending order of responses

 

Seating

Church Layout

Music/ Choir

More “Church Like”

Altar/Structures

Design Concerns

Communications/ Sermons

The Building

Groups & Activities

Sound System/ Acoustics

More Reverence

Confessionals

Windows

Baptismal Font

Masses/ Church Access

Cry Room

Larger Worship Space

Staff

Garden/ Landscaping

Eliminate Outdoor Seating

Chapel

Outdoor Seating

Add a School

Regulate Air Conditioning Better

 

More specifics on what aspects of our Worship Space or Parish that are most important to change or create new in descending order

 

Seating with 214 comments

Pews/Benches and/or Kneelers

Better, More Permanent Seating

More Comfortable Seating

Space Seating Out More

Perhaps a Combination of Pews & Chairs

 

Church Layout with 118 comments

Improve Views to Altar

Eliminate Seating Behind Altar - Divides Worship Space

Provide Good Handicapped Access

Add Entrances With Foyers/Vestibules

Better/More Parking

 

 

Music/Choir with 114 comments

Better Space for Choir, Instruments

Organ

More and Better Music

Music/Singing at More Services

Better Singers

 

More “Church-Like” with 82 comments

Incorporate More Catholic Traditions

Less Like an All-Purpose Room

More Formal, Updated

Place People Will Want to Hold Weddings, Funerals, Etc.

 

Altar/Structures with 76 comments

Larger, More Formal Altar

Area for Tabernacle

Statues, Stations of the Cross

More Artwork, Religious Artifacts

Candles

 

Design Concerns with 73 comments

Better Color Scheme

Natural Lighting

More Modern, Beautiful Space

Keep It Simple

 

Communications/Sermons with 58 comments

Address More Current Topics/Concerns

Less Political or Personal Agendas

More Variety & Relevance in Sermons

Provide More Education, Direction

Appreciate Chance for Input - Keep Us Informed

 

The Building with 57 comments

Place for People to Gather After Mass

Space for Private Prayer

Keep Current Building for Meetings, Gatherings, Etc.

Improve Lavatories, Library, Storage, Etc.

 

Groups & Activities with 57 comments

Focus on Our Youth

More Social Gatherings, Including Senior Activities

More Adult Education

Knights of Columbus, CFM, Groups Like These

Bring Back Parish Council or Similar

 

Sound System/Acoustics with 40 comments

Hard to Hear Priests

Better Speakers

 

More Reverence with 39 comments

Appropriate Dress

Less Talking, Socializing Before & During Mass

Be Respectful & Considerate During Service

 

Confessionals with 37 comments

Formal, Private Confessionals

Choice of Face-to-Face or Anonymous

 

Involvement/Outreach with 35 comments

More opportunities to get involved

Reach out to the community more

 

Windows with 34 comments

Add More Stained Glass

Lots of Windows to Let in Natural Light

 

Baptismal Font with 32 comments

Permanent Baptism Font

Immersion Font

 

Masses/ Church Access with 30 comments

More Diversity in Mass Options, e.g., Spanish Mass, Sunday Eve Mass

Children’s Service

Leave Church Open During Day to Pray

 

“Cry” Room with 26 comments

Larger Room

Dedicated Room Separate From Library

 

Larger Worship Space with 25 comments

More Room for Parishioners

Increase Space for Altar, Sacristy, Priests

 

Change Everything with 25 comments

 

Staff with 20 comments

Deacons to Help Priests

Youth Leaders

Stronger Leadership

 

Garden/Landscaping with 19 comments

Beautiful Garden Area for Prayer, Weddings, Etc.

Make Use of Our Beautiful Surroundings, Plants, Flowers, Trees

 

Eliminate Outdoor Seating with 17 comments

Divides the Worshippers

Not Appropriate

 

Chapel with 16 comments

Adoration Chapel

Smaller Prayer Chapel

Auxiliary Chapel

 

Outdoor Seating with 9 comments

Protection from Sun/Rain

Better Sound Outside

 

Add a School with 7 comments

 

Regulate Air Conditioning Better with 3 comments

 

What do you like most about St. Gabriel’s Parish?

 

The following list is in descending order of responses

 

The Environment

The Priests

Groups

The Music Program

Location/ Convenience

 

More specifics on what is most liked about St. Gabriel’s Parish in descending order

 

The Environment with 290 comments

The Church Community

The Warm and Friendly People

The Welcoming Atmosphere

Humble, Unpretentious, Relaxed

The Spirit of This Parish

 

The Priests with139 comments

Father Michael

Father Hal

How Well the Priests Interact

Their Approachability & Dedication

The Atmosphere They Cultivate

 

Groups with 27 comments

The Youth Group

CFM, Knights of Columbus, CCD

Opportunities to Volunteer & Contribute

 

The Music Program with 19 comments

Choir, Singing

 

The Location/Convenience with 15 comments