Parish Survey:

The Parish Survey was a uniquely designed instrument to be used as a wide-scale vehicle for parishioners to offer their views and aspirations for the parish. It was also one piece in the overall Data Gathering Process for the Visioning Team. Taking previously surfaced topics from Staff Interviews and Focus Groups, the Visioning Team met with Research Powered Marketing Group to design a “smart-survey” that led participants through a 10 minute survey that asked questions based on demographics and the respondent's previous responses. This anonymous survey was available online and in hard copy to the entire parish and was completed by nearly 2,000 participants, ages 16 and older. Once the survey closed, Research Powered Marketing then presented the results, along with comments, to the Visioning Team for processing and executing the next steps of our Visioning Process.

Community Partners:

In the course of scanning our environment and gathering information that might be helpful to our Visioning, we met with several people outside our Parish for insightsand experience ofthat our Parish. Sister Elizabeth Worley, S.S.J., Chancellor of Administration of the Diocese discussed our Parish and the ideal parish. Dr. Bob Bushong, Pastor of First United Methodist Church on Interlachen, told us about what is happening in their church, community needs and issues. Kelly Price, of Kelly Price and Company, updated us on the current economic conditions as reflected in the real estate market. Katie Walsh, Principal of SMM School, reported on trends in Catholic School and public school enrollments in our area. Mary Ann Gilbert of our staff reported on the available social services for needy of our community. She also updated us on the community groups with whom our parish collaborates to meet the needs of our geographic area.