StCharlesChurch.org
> News & Events
What
is your wish for St. Charles in this new year? And beyond?
Thank
you to all of you who completed the January 2005 survey of your wishes for the
parish in 2005. Here are the results shared at the January 30, 2005, town meeting.
Responses and follow-up actions
are noted in bold.
Responses were distributed as follows, and are summarized below:
Spirituality - 46 comments
Community - 37 comments
Outreach - 31 comments
Other - 43 comments
39 responses received through the online form; 32 responses turned in through
the flyers inserted in the bulletin.
Spirituality:
Started with those involving Mass - approximately 46
Education:
- Have a teaching or narrated Mass where all actions and parts are explained
(2)
Homilies:
- Differing opinions on political homilies, request for Spirit-filled homilies.
(6 comments on homilies.)
- Publish other priests' homilies on web. Fr.
Gerry invited our parish's other priests to join him in publishing their homilies,
but they have chosen not to at this time.
Rubrics?:
- Dispense with wine from chalices, use small cups. Follow Diocesan regulations.
Altar servers
- More training for servers,
- Request for altar girls (4)
- Alternative ministry for girls.
Schedule
- More Masses on holidays.
- Start on time.
- Daily Mass at noon from Dec. to March.
- Childcare: Baby sitting at all Masses Babysitting
is available at the 9 AM and 11 AM Masses.
Music
- More Gospel,
- Upgrade music
- Seating for the choir at 6 PM Mass
Sign of Peace
- Suspend during the flu season, greet one another with sign (2)
Environment
- Need to look at sound and vision in Upper Room.
- Change temperature in church - too warm, people will keep coats on if it
were cooler.
- Paint church doors and repair glass in windows above altar.
Ushers
- Training needed for ushers(2). Volunteer for 6 PM.
- Sound: Increase volume in speaker system.
Communication
- Dispense with individual speakers if announcements are in bulletin.
- Cut down on bulletin inserts.
- Announce celebrants name at beginning of Mass Celebrant's
schedule is available on the parish website.
- Priests exit at door leading to Parish Center.
Adult Formation
- Scripture classes and small groups at different times (during CCD hours,
afternoon, evenings.)
- Training for members of Liturgy Teams, sacristans, EM's
- Continue praying seminars - Contemplative Way
- Hold a Parish Mission
- Explanations of why Catholics do the things we do.
- Primary role to give authoritative church teachings, catholic catechism,
forming conscience, develop regular church forums.
Use of Website
- Publish other priest's homilies Fr.
Gerry invited our parish's other priests to join him in publishing their homilies,
but they have chosen not to at this time.
- Facilitate communication between parishioners and priests.
Miscellaneous.
- How to have Masses said
- More traditional worship: rosary, Eucharistic devotion
- Communal Penance service
Community:
Athletics:
- Could young adults use gym for volleyball, etc.?
- Use of gym on Saturday mornings for families during the winter?
- Basketball tournaments with local participants to share excellent facilities.
- Formation of over 35 & 45 year old group in parish (2)
- More integration of Latino & Anglo communities.
Outreach & involvement:
- Moms
- Clarendon & community
- Forums with dialogue
- Affordable housing
- Involve parishioners in worship/study/action life of community, get to
know each other & be patient and non-critical of each other.
- Concern for elderly & longtime parishioners
- Ecumenical mixers
- Parish directory
- Coffee and donuts sponsored by different ministries in the summer.
- Honor parishioners for parish service without specific names on awards?
- Good work - keep it up (4)
Outreach:
Parents:
Replicate "Parents Night Out" at United Methodist Church between Irving
and Ivy on 6th St.
General:
Movie night at St. Charles
Social Justice:
Proud of the outreach to PMM, Haiti, Prison Ministry, etc. Where did African
AIDS Ministry come from? How about Indonesian, Indian, European AIDS?
Newcomers:
People in new high rises via mail, flyers for bulletin boards, work with local
realtors? (2)
Support Groups:
- Gay & lesbian: Numerous members of St. Charles would benefit from a
support group.
- AA meeting.
- Homebound, sick, jailed, nursing homes. (2)
Social Justice Ministry:
- Broaden/strengthen spiritual and financial support for social outreach programs
by providing periodic program reports detailing: key objectives/strategies,
target market profile/data, revenue/operational expenses, accomplishments/results.
(Social outreach programs should not be promoted solely as "feel good"
charity works. Parishioners require basic information in order to evaluate
the effectiveness of competing social outreach efforts. Wanting to "do
good" via such programs need not preclude striving for reasonable effectiveness.)
PMM
1st quarter results published.
- How about "donation opportunities" announced in a similar way
that we announce volunteer openings? For example, buying an appliance for
a BHI mom, specific items for WAY or the Parish Center? Coat drive ?
Other:
Environment:
- Whiteboards in parish center rooms.
- Replace orange cones in parking lot.
- Negotiate with surrounding areas to solve the Sunday parking problem.
- Deal with the three signs on the corner.
- Vans for church use.
- Prayer bulletin board.
- No more large fund drives for the next couple of years.
- Again, thanks for a job well done.
