St. Mary Magdalen Parish

1

Welcome St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility
Study Report Town Meeting
Thank You for Joining Us.
November 20, 2003
2
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will
remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my
name He may give you. This I command you love
one another.
3
Profile of Interviews Number of Total
Total interviews 52
Total people interviewed 87
Number of male participants 43 49.4
Number of female participants 44 50.6
Number of Couples 35 67.3
Number in parish 15 years or more 27 51.9
Number indicating less than 15 years 25 48.1
based on number of interviews based on number
of interviewees
4
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Project Details
New Worship Space

• Capacity builds to 750 with expansion to 800

• Larger Chapel Baptistry

• Crying Room

• Additional Meeting Rooms

• Additional Office Space for

• Full-time secretaries (2)
• Business Manager
• Pastors office
• Adult Ministry Director
• Youth Ministry Director
• Financial preparations and review area
• Reception Room
• Conference Meeting Room

Existing church to be razed. New church will be
built on the existing site.
Total Cost 6 million
5
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 1
All who were interviewed feel very much at home
at St. Mary Magdalen they embrace the parish as
their own, have great pride in it, and feel
special for being part of the family.
90.5 (47/52) feel very much at home other
9.5 feel somewhat at home, were close at one
time, and are not as involved at present.
This parish is the core of my life.
6
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 2
Pastor / Priests (1 strength / 53 mentions)

• Father Chieffo is a tremendous leader involved
  in everything holds the parish together great
  personality and sense of humor very much loved.
  (42 mentions)

Father Ralph has turned this parish around. He
is spiritually strong, warm, caring and wants to
please.

• Father Mulgrew is very friendly and a good
  leader. (6 mentions)

• In general Father Ralph and Father Mulgrew are
  a great team and make everyone feel at home. (5
  mentions)

Both pastors go out of their way to make it feel
like a church community.
7
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 3
People (2 strength / 36 mentions) Parishioners
are very involved, generous and welcoming. They
are friendly, faith-filled and willing to work
together. There is a close-knit group and a
strong sense of community.
The people here are the parishs biggest asset.

The parish has a lot of good people that are
very involved. They give a lot of themselves.
8
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 4
School (3 strength / 25 mentions)

• In general The school is highly respected
  excellent faculty helps gather families and
  brings young people together. (17 mentions)

We couldnt ask for a better school. The
teachers are dedicated and they teach sound
Christian principles.

• Pat Miniszak She is awesome and does a
  remarkable job leading the school. (8 mentions)

We love Pat Miniszak. She is a great leader for
the school.
9
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 5
Atmosphere (4 strength / 14 mentions )
Parishioners rave about the family environment
felt here. There is a feeling of ease and
relaxation that makes everyone feel comfortable
and at home.
This place is a breath of fresh air.
Spirituality (5 strength / 12 mentions) Strong,
faith-based and devout parishioners really want
to grow closer to God.
The liturgies talk to people. They are
inspiring.
10
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 6
Programs (11) great variety. Parishioner
involvement (5). Liturgy / Masses (3) excellent
liturgical celebrations. Location (2). Financial
security (2). CCD Families Feel a Part of the
Parish (2).
Other Adoration Chapel church building fine
physical plant great resources with people size
(small) and young people get lots of attention.
11
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 7
Facilities 1 area for improvement (identified
with 29 mentions)! Parishioners want to make St.
Mary Magdalen an even better parish.

• Church Change is needed more seats, more
  Catholic feel and general upgrades (12)
• General Overall facilities need upgrading and
  made more attractive (4)
• Cry Room One is needed in the church (3)
• Meeting Space More space to gather for all the
  ministries of parish (3)
• Parking More spaces are needed (2)
• Rectory Priests need more privacy (2)
• School Fans, air-conditioning and a larger
  cafeteria (2)
• Single Mentions More offices

12
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 8
None Nothing needs to be changed. Many see
everything as great at St. Mary Magdalen. (10
mentions )
We dont have much to improve because everything
is already here.
Liturgy / Masses More focused sermons homilies
that relate to everyday life opportunities for
children to get involved and a more worshipful
atmosphere (8 mentions)
There is too much noise because of people in the
vestibule.
13
St. Mary Magdalen Parish Feasibility Study F I N
D I N G S 9
Lack of Priests People desire more priests and
deacons in general. Father Chieffo is expected
to do too much. (8 mentions)
Its very difficult for two priests to handle
this parish and soon well only have one.
Parishioner Involvement The same old nucleus do
everything. Ministries, and even mass
attendance, are not as active as they could and
should be for the parish. (8 mentions)
I would like to see more activities and more
participation.
Other Financial emphasis too much emphasis on
money and tithing (6) School (5) Activities
more programs (5) Parish management too much
confusion (3) Communication (3) Noise level
too much talking in back of church (2) Social
growth more community gatherings (2) and Raise
teachers salaries (2).
14
Strengths Improvements
1. Pastor / Priest