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Suggestion Box: August 20, 2007

 

Note: All suggestions are transcribed exactly as written.  Some revisions <in red> have been made to ease confusion or to protect the identity of parishioners.  The responses/deliberations of the Parish Council are in Blue.

 

Affirmations:

 

1. “this cuch<church> sud<should> keep doing what it sud<should> do.”

2. “Just wanted to say good job!”

3. “This is cool! Nice Job!”

4. “1st suggestion: More parties!  Thanks.”

 

Liturgical:

 

1. “for the priest to be more socialbal before the 5:00p.m.Mass.”

            Fr. Michael will make an effort to greet parishioners.  Please consider that the time prior to the beginning of Mass should be spent in sacred silence or prayerful meditation in preparation for Mass.  This applies to all who are present including the priest, deacon, and altars servers.

2. “Not to do the call to worship at every Mass, it gets a little old.”

            Silence before and during Mass was the most significant complaint in the Parish Survey.  Both have greatly improved since the institution of the Call to Worship.  The Parish Council feels that a weekly Call to Worship is still needed at this time.  An effort will be made to change the announcement regularly, and have different people make the announcement.  The objective of the Call to Worship is to provide a more sacred atmosphere prior to and during Mass.     

3. “That Alter servers go give pace<peace> to the servers family.”

            It is inappropriate for Altar Servers to leave the sanctuary during the sign of peace.  The following paragraphs are from the The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). 

            154. The priest may give the sign of peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so as not to disturb the celebration. In the dioceses of the United States of America, for a good reason, on special occasions (for example, in the case of a funeral, a wedding, or when civic leaders are present) the priest may offer the sign of peace to a few of the faithful near the sanctuary. At the same time, in accord with the decisions of the Conference of Bishops, all offer one another a sign that expresses peace, communion, and charity. While the sign of peace is being given, one may say, Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum (The peace of the Lord be with you always), to which the response is Amen.

4. “Ask people to stay until the final song is over. Thanks.”

            Once the priest has exited the church, it is acceptable for people to leave.  Fr. Michael will meet with the Music Director to discuss the possibility of shorter recessional hymns when appropriate.  Mass ministry volunteers will be asked to wait until the hymn is over before entering the sanctuary after Mass.

5. “Singing at the 8:00 clock mass!”

6. “Say Lord’s prayer rather than sign<sing>.”

            Suggestions 5&6 pertain to music during Mass.  Below is a chart of the music breakdown for each Mass.  If you are dissatisfied with the music (or lack there of) consider attending Mass at a different time.

 

                                                5:00 PM          8:00AM           10:30AM         12:15PM

Processional Hymn                 Sung                Sung                Sung                Sung

Kyrie                                       Sung                Spoken            Sung                Sung

Gloria                                      Sung                Spoken            Sung                Sung

Responsorial Psalm                 Sung                Spoken            Sung                Sung   

Offertory Hymn                      Sung                N/A                 Sung                Sung

Sanctus                                    Sung                Sung                Sung                Sung

Our Father                               Spoken            Spoken            Sung                Sung

Agnus Dei                               Sung                Spoken            Sung                Sung

Communion Hymn                 Sung                N/A                 Sung                Sung

Recessional Hymn                  Sung                Sung                Sung                Sung

 

7.  Five suggestions were made regarding the way people assisting with the Mass dress.

            There will be a training update for all Mass ministries in September.  Appropriate dress and grooming will be addressed at these meetings.  

 

 Safe Environment:

 

1. “Church staff is allowing children to wander in the Parish Center unattended while interacting w/ teenagers of the opposite sex.”

            Fr. Michael will address this matter at the next staff meeting so that it does not happen again.

 

Maintenance:

 

1. “The plug under the microwave cabinet in the hall throws the breaker every time the microwaves are plugged in at the same time.  That is why on of the microwaves has to be kept on the countertop taking up working room.  The plugs look good and there are 8 plug ins but the breaker must not be strong enough for that much wattage.”

            The electrician will be notified of the problem and necessary repairs will be made.

2. “The thresholds in the hall need repair.  There is about ½ to 1 inch gaps under the doors.  It lets crickets, roaches and other insect invade the hall.  The crickets makes the hall nasty.  The waterbugs that come in look like big roaches.  The exterminator is fighting a losing battle trying to keep the bugs out of the hall.”

            Fr. Michael will notify the contactor and necessary repairs will be made.

3.  “Please install guttering on the awning over the side door to the Church.  The lovely roof tiles make for heavy runoff in periods of high rain – making it hard for our seniors and handicapped to enter and leave by this door and the one they need to use!”

4. “Rainguard gutter on side church door is needed.”

            Suggestions 3&4- Fr. Michael will check with the contractor for pricing, and meet with the Finance Council.

 

 

 

Programs:

 

1. “CCC – Community Church Cleaning.  Have a bulletin announcement for some Saturday starting in the morning to come help “Spring Clean” the Church.  It’s too much for one person but many hands make light work.  Jesus can spend the day in the old church so no one has to worry about being disrespectful.  It’ll be a nice change of scenery for Him.  People can come and go as they wish.  Give an hour of work to the Lord.  I’ll be there!  Oh yeah – everyone brings their own cleaning supplies that they like to use.”

2. “Suggestion: in the fall have a family day – clean up around hall and center – trees – shrubs mud us cleaning – say Lord’s prayer rather than sing.”

            Suggestions 1&2-There will be a parish wide clean up day on Saturday, October 27th from 8:00AM until noon.  Following the clean up, there will be a cookout in the backyard of 801 N Frances.  Check your bulletin in the near future for more information.

3.  “Father, I strongly suggest that the Wed. night Faith formation continue BUT, only include grade 5 – 12th (K – 4 are really to young to participate fully on Wed night due to full day at school and the late hour).  This would be a great way to begin a Youth program, we could check out various programs that might include Mass and other group activities every other week.  This way we could hold class each week and still maintain they YWG.  They (the YWG) could have their meetings during the other activities or join the group at large.  Thanks.”

            Registration for Wednesday night R.E. has already begun.  Fr. Michael and Susan Warner will take this into consideration for next year.

4. “ I could respectfully suggest this church hold a prayer service one evening a month for priestly vocations.  Fr. Rudy, Director of Diocesan Vocations, held one at St. Monica’s recently and it was lovely as well as inspiring.  Thank you for taking this suggestion into consideration.” 

            The Hispanic Ministry has a Holy Hour with Benediction once a month.  Fr. Michael will approach Deacon Jim Starr about leading a Holy Hour in English.

5.  “Daytime bible study.”     

6. “We should built like a school church for the kids on Sundays like they go to the small church when the adults go to mass so it could be a little quiter <quieter> for us for every one else and have some volinters to help out on Sundays to take care of the kids.  Thank you a very special friend from God.”

            Suggestions 5&6-A ladies’ bible study and Children’s liturgy are currently in the development stages.  Check your bulletin in near future for more information.

7. “La iglesia parece Mercado por el ruido de los ninos llorando y hablando – Podrian hacer una misa para ninos?”

            Continuaremos el llamado para oración cada domingo en la misa en español.

8. “Sugerencia – podrian promover los medios catolicos como la radio y TV de EWTN entre otros.

            Vamos a poner un anuncio en el boletíin dando información acerca de la estación católica EWTN en televisión y la Radio Guadalupe que está en el AM 910 de su radio.