Strengths of St. Columban
Strengths of St. Columban Parish
A. Leadership and Liturgy
Almost 75% of the parish responses found the leadership of Fr. Larry and the parish staff to be inspirational and energetic. They particularly commented positively about the pastor, Fr. Larry’s, homilies. Eight-five percent of the responses held the liturgical experience, including the preparation of the ministers, in high regard. There were more than 600 comments about positive aspects of liturgy.
B. General Parish Spirit
There were over 500 comments about parish hospitality, social-economic diversity, interest groups, young family environment, vibrant energy and the potential of the parish.
C. St. Columban School
The school was noted as a strength by about 350 people with some noting the tuition was reasonable.
D. Financial Strength
A small number of people, about 45, noted the financial strength of the parish where financial assistance was available for those who needed it to attend St. Columban school.
E. Facilities and Environment
The simplicity of the church, the art, the nursery, the natural setting were noted as well as the outreach and giving nature of the parish.
F. Miscellaneous
Programs for Primetimers, renewal programs, adult formation, spirituality, youth groups cooperative services with other churches, parishioner input, good communication, strong athletics, fish frys and festivals were all named as strengths of the parish by at least six people.
| Total Responses | 462 | |
| Strengths of the Parish | ||
| parish staff and Father Larry - energy, inspiration, leadership, homilies | 334 | 72% |
| presence of the sisters | 9 | 2% |
| management of the Church and school | 8 | 2% |
| concern of administration, people in parish care | 22 | 5% |
| supportive staff | 21 | 5% |
| liturgical experience, ministers prepared | 394 | 85% |
| pre-school movement during Mass | 10 | 2% |
| 8th grade involved in Eucharist | 31 | 7% |
| Baptism at Mass | 20 | 4% |
| music | 71 | 15% |
| sacramental celebration | 54 | 12% |
| liturgy of the Word for children | 44 | 10% |
| all ages and life stages, mix of parishioners | 71 | 15% |
| growing - good stuff happening, vibrant, energy | 96 | 21% |
| potential of the parish | 9 | 2% |
| hospitality, warm, welcoming, open | 172 | 37% |
| community, people, dedicated parishioners | 120 | 26% |
| young family environment | 74 | 16% |
| socio-economic diversity | 27 | 6% |
| many groups based on interest | 15 | 3% |
| opportunities to participate, empowering parishioners | 168 | 36% |
| volunteers, willingness to get things done | 192 | 42% |
| school | 349 | 76% |
| reasonable tuition | 10 | 2% |
| financial strength | 10 | 2% |
| well-to-do parish | 30 | 6% |
| financial assistance available | 5 | 1% |
| facilities and environment | 65 | 14% |
| simplicity of church | 23 | 5% |
| nursey | 5 | 1% |
| natural setting, nature trail | 5 | 1% |
| outreach, giving parish | 151 | 33% |
| feels like church | 7 | 2% |
| proximity to home | 14 | 3% |
| art | 5 | 1% |
| primetimers | 9 | 2% |
| Renewal Program, adult formation | 56 | 12% |
| spirituality | 9 | 2% |
| youth group | 26 | 6% |
| cooperative services with other churches | 6 | 1% |
| history | 0 | 0% |
| parishioner input | 13 | 3% |
| communication good | 21 | 5% |
| conservative/traditional style | 5 | 1% |
| strong athletics | 39 | 8% |
| fish fry | 17 | 4% |
| festival | 40 | 9% |