Comments on the Epiphany Parish Survey The purpose of the

Comments on the Epiphany Parish Survey

The purpose of the parish survey we took a number of months ago was to provideinformation for the Archdiocese of New York as part of Making All These New. Theinformation gathered from the approximately 600 parishioners who completed thequestionnaire at Mass not only enabled us to provide the Archdiocese with solid dataabout our parish, it also gave as a "snapshot" of where we are now as a faith community.

Our highest marks are given to the area of parish life that is the most important —worship. The reverent celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments, alongwith the quality of preaching and music, are rated very favorably. Those responsiblefor the liturgical life of our parish take very seriously our obligation to provideparishioners with the best we are able to give. Visitors to Epiphany often commenton the good liturgy they experience here. This is something we can all be proud of.

Epiphany is perceived to be a welcoming parish, and that also is something we shouldbe proud of. In a time when the numbers of people in some parishes are declining, weare experiencing a period of growth. Since the beginning of the current pastoral yearlast September, 102 families/individuals have registered as parishioners. Every newparishioner receives a personal letter from the pastor welcoming them to the parish andinviting them to take part in the various programs of ministry and service that we offer.

The Epiphany School gets high marks, as it should. Our parish school, which recentlycelebrated its 125th anniversary, is one of the great success stories in the Archdiocese ofNew York. Our current enrollment is approximately 600 students in grades Nurserythrough Grade 8, and lack of space unfortunately makes it necessary to turn awayfamilies looking to place their children in our school.

Our survey also highlighted some areas of parish life that need improvement — adultfaith formation, outreach to senior citizens and the homebound, the use of technologyand social media, and encouraging the involvement of parishioners in parish ministryand activities. These are areas that we will address, and some of them already have been.

One of the early fruits of A4ATN at Epiphany was the inauguration of a program calledParishioners Helping Parishioners (PHP) which was started by a number of the Ladies ofCharily here and has grown substantially over these last months. Volunteers wereidentified, interviewed, and trained. They are now assisting the elderly and homeboundof the parish in such tasks as shopping, getting to Mass and doctor appointments, orjust a friendly visit. The 22 Club, a weekly gathering of our senior citizens in the ParishHall, was restarted after being on hiatus for a while.

We recently held a Ministry Fair and as a result a number of parishioners volunteered tobecome involved in various ways in the parish. A preliminary meeting was held andtraining for liturgical ministries will begin this month. We plan on having anotherMinistry Fair in the fall and continue to recruit parishioners to volunteer to help withcurrent parish programs and start new ones. The survey revealed a desire on the partof parishioners to be more involved in parish activities. We hope this will translate intoa new crop of volunteers, especially among the younger members of the parish.

Adult faith formation is another area where we need to grow. We are planning anumber of things for the fall, including a New Testament bible study and a program onthe scriptural background to the mysteries of the rosary. We will also bring back themonthly book discussion group, and there will be an Advent retreat based on thewritings of Pope Francis.

Epiphany is somewhat behind the curve in the use of technology and social media. Ourweb site is our only foray into the digital age. We are currently working with a companywho is developing an "App" for our parish that will be ready to roll out in September.You will be able to download the app for free on your smart phone and it will bringyou up to date information on parish schedules and activities as well as link you tovarious informational sites about the Church and religious issues. The app will also giveus the opportunity to communicate with parishioners in real time. The Archdiocese iscurrently working on developing ways to help parishes make more effective use of socialmedia that will be available to us in the coming months.

In conclusion, what does our survey tell us? It is clear that there are many good qualitiesabout Epiphany parish, but there is also room for improvement. As we continue theprocess of MakingA.ll Things New, as we continue to pray and work together, and as wegive the best we have to offer to be a faith community that both welcomes andnourishes the faith of our members, we have a bright future ahead of us.

Respectfully submitted by the Epiphany Core Team,

Walter Adams, Delia Frazier Rios, Debbie Keogh, John Molenda, Msgr. Leslie J. IversPentecost, 2014

The Epiphany Parish Survey - Making All Things New

1. The Eucharist and the other sacraments are celebrated with reverence andprayerfulness according to Church liturgical norms.

Excellent 59% Good 35% Fair 5%

2. Homilies are well prepared and speak to the lives of the people.Excellent 33% Good 47% Fair 16% Poor 5%

3. Various forms of devotional prayer are encouraged which reflect the culturalheritage of parishioners.

Excellent 16% Good 40% Fair 19% Poor 5% NC 21%

4. Liturgical Ministers (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Choir,Ministers of Hospitality) are well trained and receive opportunities to grow intheir understanding of the liturgy.


5. Music is valued as integral to the celebration of the liturgy.Excellent 47% Good 37% Fair 11% Poor 4%

6. The congregation is prepared and encouraged to contribute to parish worshipby singing.


7. The Sacrament of Penance is encouraged with adequate times available.Excellent 14% Good 41% Fair 24% Poor 6% NC 16%

8. The parish sees itself as an evangelizing parish, spreading the Gospel messagein all aspects of parish life.


9. The parish welcomes newcomers warmly and personally, incorporating theminto parish life.


10.The parish welcomes all ethnic and racial groups who desire to be a part ofthe Epiphany community.


11. Children and youth are provided with high quality catechetical programs inconformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.


12.Our Family Mass and Sunday Scripture Program helps parents teach theirchildren the Catholic faith and values and to grow in faith as a family.


13.Our parish school holds Catholic identity as its highest value, maintains highacademic standards, and promotes outreach and service.


14.Parents are involved in the parish school and support it financially.Excellent 21% Good 19% Fair 4% Poor 0.9% NC 55%

15.Our parish provides a comprehensive program for adult religious educationand formation.


16. Vocation awareness is supported in our parish school and religious educationprogram, and young adults and adults are encouraged in their vocationresponse to marriage, ordained ministry, religious life, and lay ecclesialministry.


17.Parishioners are encouraged to use their gifts to build up the parish by takingpart in various liturgical, parish, and outreach ministries.


18.Our parish has outreach programs to assist people who are poor and most inneed.


19.Our parish has adequate programs to reach out to senior citizens, the sick, andthe homebound


20.Our parish makes adequate use of technology and social media tocommunicate information to parishioners and the community at large.


21 .We have a sufficient number of parishioners who are willing to give their time,talent and treasure to make possible the current and future programs that ourparish provides.


22.Our pastor and pastoral staff exert effective leadership that meets currentpastoral needs and points to the future.


23.Pastoral leadership encourages the collaboration of clergy, religious, and laityin their common mission.


24.Our parish ensures proper fiscal administration, business management, andproper maintenance of grounds and buildings.


25.Making All Things New will help our parish in both short term and long rangeplanning.


Notes:• Approximately 600 surveys were submitted• Percentages have been rounded off• Questions omit the NC (Unable to Comment) category if response was under

1%• Not every parishioner answered every question

Epiphany Parish Survey

Q1 The Eucharist and the other sacramentsare celebrated with reverence andprayer-fulness according to Church

liturgical norms.

Excellent

Good 34.62%

59.03%

5.18%

Poor 0.33%

Unable tocomment

20% 40% 60% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

59.03%

34.62%

5.18%

0.33%

0.84%

353

207

31

5

598

/25


Q*c Homilies are well prepared and speakto the lives of the people.

Good

Am, yewd: 600 Skip\«d: r

32.50%

46.67%

15.50%

Poor • 4.50%

Unable to I 0-83o/0

comment

40% 80%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

32.50%

46.67%

15.50%

4.50%

0.83%

195

230

9,5

27

5

600

2/25


f}3 Various forms of devotional prayer areencouraged which reflect the cultural

heritage of parishioners.Anb.v.-red: 556 Sk'pj.fcd: 'iO

Excellent 15.80%

Fair

39.66%

18.66%

5.04%

20.84%

40% 80% 80%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

15.80%

39.66%

18.66V.

5.04%

20.84%

94

236

111

30

124

595

3 /25


Q4 Liturgical ministers (Eucharisticministers, lectors, ministers of hospitality,

altar servers, choir members) are welltrained and receive opportunities to growin their understanding and power of the

liturgy.

An^-erefr 591 Skipp^u: 7

Excellent

Good

27.26%

38.46%

Fair 11.20%

IPoor El 4.18%

18.90%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Response

27.26%

38.46%

11.20%

4.18%

18.90%

I 33

230

3'"

25

113

598

4 / 2 5


O.i Music is valued as integral to thecelebration of the liturgy.

Answsrcd: t'9S f.kipfrtd: "/

Excellent

Good

47.16%

36.45%

11.04%

Poor I I 4.01%

Unable to I Ii34o/0

comment I

20% 60% 80%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

47.16%

36.45%

11.04%

4.01%

1.34%

282

2-13

66

24

S

598

5 / 2 5


Q6 The congregation is prepared andencouraged to contribute to parish worship

by singing.A .sv.'iid: MI St.ipf.id: 4

Excellent

Fair

29.62%

41.26%

19.97%

7.49%

Unable tocomment

1.66%

20% 40% 80% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

29.62%

41.26%

19.97%

7.49%

1.66%

173

2J8

10

601

6 / 2 5


C.7 The Sacrament of Penance isencouraged with adequate times available.

*: J: 600 S'riope^, 5

Excellent 13.67%

41.00%

23.50%

5.83%

16.00%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fail

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

13.67%

41%

23.50%

5.83%

16%

H2

246

141

35

96

600

7/25


Q3 The parish sees itself as anevangelizing parish, spreading the Gospel

message in all aspects of parish life.Answ ?i ed - 599 Tkiopo

Excellent 20.70%

39.23%

0%

13.86%

20% 40% 60% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

20.70%

39.23%

17.70%

8.51%

13.86%

124

235

103

51

S3

599

8 / 2 5


O3 The parish welcomes newcomerswarmly and personally, incorporating them

into parish life.

Excellent

Good

Fair

28.81%

31.66%

18.09%

7.87%

Unable tocomment

13.57%

20% 40% 80% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

28.81%

31.66%

18.09%

7.87%

13.57%

172

139

108

47

81

597

9/25


QiO The parish welcomes all ethnic andracial groups who desire to be a part of the

Epiphany community.Ahswrred' *i9d -Tkippef: •>

Excellent

Good

37.56%

36.56%

9.18%

IPoor I 2.00%

14.69%

60%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

37.56%

36.56%

9.18%

2.00%

14.69%

225

210

65

12

10/25


1,1 Children and youth are provided withhigh quality catechetical programs inconformity with the Catechism of the

Catholic Church.Answered: 593 Sk'Kie<l:7

Excellent

Good

22.24%

23.91%

Fair 5.85%

iPoor I 2.01%

45.99%

20% 40% 60% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

22.24%

23.91%

5.85%

2.01%

45.99%

133

143

35

12

275

598

1 1 / 2 5


Q1? Our Family Mass and Sunday Scriptureprogram help parents teach their children

the Catholic faith and values and to grow infaith as a family.

Excellent

Fair 7.02%

25.08%

25.59%

Poor I 1.51%

40.80%

EC >„

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

25.08%

25.59%

7.02%

1.51%

40.80%

150

153

.12

9

241

593

12/25


'313 Our parish school holds Catholicidentity as its highest value, maintains high

academic standards, and promotesoutreach and service.

Excellent

Good

28.31%

18.59%

Fair 4.02%

IPoor • 2.51%

46.57%

0% 80%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

28.31%

18.59%

4.02%

2.51%

46.57%

169

111

24

15

278

597

13/25


Q14 Parents are involved in the parishschool and support it financially.

Anv.'ei-ad. 591 Slipped: 1-:

Excellent 21.15%

Fair 4.23%

Poor I 0.85%

18.44%

40%

55.33%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

21.15%

18.44%

4.23%

0.85%

55.33%

125

109

25

5

327

591

14/25


-,,15 The parish provides a comprehensiveprogram for adult religious education and

faith formation.Ancweed. O-V Skipnen: 18

Excellent 12.78%

29.64%

13.80%

9.37%

34.41%

40% 60% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

12.78%

29.64%

13.80%

9.37%

34.41%

81

55

20?

587

15/25


Q'-'S Vocation awareness is supported inour parish school and religious educationprogram, and young adults and adults areencouraged in their vocation response tomarriage, ordained ministry, religious life,

and lay ecclesial ministry.

Excellent 9.45%

Good 24.91%

Poor • E 4.81%

47.94%

40% e c - , 1 00%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

9.45%

24.91%

12.89%

4.81%

47.94%

55

I •: 5

rs

28

279

16/25


Q17 Parishioners are encouraged to usethe gifts they have to build up the parish

by taking part in various liturgical andoutreach ministries.

Excellent

Good

13.40%

17.18%

36.60%

0% 60% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

13.40%

36.60%

21.13%

11.68%

17.18%

78

213

122

68

100

562

17/25


G'-f The parish has outreach programs toassist people who are poor and most in

need.

Excellent

Good

11.95%

31.06%

Fair 15.87%

0%

9.90%

31.23%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

11.95%

31.06%

15.87%

9.90%

31.23%

70

182

93

58

133

586

18/25


•'* :n The parish has adequate programs toreach out to senior citizens, the

homebound, and the sick.

Excellent 8.72%

Poor

23.08%

14.87%

11.79%

41.54%

100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

8.72%

23.08%

14.87%

11,79%

41.54%

51

135

67

69

243

585

19/25


O20 The parish makes adequate use ofmedia and technology to communicateinformation to parishioners and to reach

out to the community at large."1 Sk\>pJd:"4

Excellent 10.15%

24.96%

27.88%

24.78%

60% 80% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

10.15%

24.96%

27.88%

12.22%

24.78%

59

145

162

71

144

561

20 /25

Good


C21 We have a sufficient number ofparishioners willing to give their time andtalent to make possible the current andfuture activities and programs that the

parish provides.I"; •:»•. er;ti: 379 s: ip.vsd; 2",

11.05%

30.92%

20.55%

29.71%

80%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

11.05%

30.92%

20.55%

7.77%

29.71%

64

179

119

45

172

579

21 125


•3V; The pastor and pastoral staff exerteffective leadership that meets currentpastoral needs and points to the future.

A'..'S» --,; d: 5S5

Excellent 23.42%

33.85%

21.54%

Poor

Unable tocomment

11.11%

10.09%

20* 40% 80% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

23.42%

33.85%

21.54%

11.11%

10.09%

I 3 1

198

126

65

59

585

2 2 / 2 5


O.23 Pastoral leadership encourages thecollaboration of clergy, religious, and laity

in their common mission.

18.18%

Good

C = =

33.62%

18.18%

20% 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

18.18%

33.62%

16.98%

13.04%

18.18%

IC6

196

99

76

106

583

2 3 / 2 5


Q*>4 The parish ensures proper fiscaladministration, business management, and

proper maintenance of grounds andbuildings.

Excellent 22.95%

Fair

37.84%

12.50%

IPoor I I 4.79%

21.92%

20% 40%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

22.95%

37.84%

12.50%

4.79%

21.92%

134

22

73

23

128

584

24125


Q25 "Making All Things New" will help ourparish in both short term and long range

planning.

24.87%

Good 37.31%

I

8.46%

Poor I 2.07%

27.29%

20% 40% 81 ',••> 100%

Answer Choices

Excellent

Good

Fall

Poor

Unable to comment

Total

Responses

24.87%

37.31%

8.46%

2.07%

27.29%

144

216

49

12

153

579

25/25

Documents

Comments on the Epiphany Parish Survey The purpose of the