Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church Newsletter — July 2021

july 2021

Our Lady of the

Assumption Pa r i sh

A Letter from Our Pastor

The Results of Our Recent Parish Survey Dear Parishioners,

Inside 2 2021 Parish Survey Results

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s part of our ongoing commitment to developing stewardship as a way of life, we recently conducted a comprehensive survey of our parish. The survey allowed all our parishioners to express their views regarding worship, parish life, religious education, outreach, and stewardship.

Thanks to your response, our survey was a success!

We received 300 completed surveys, for a 15-percent response rate. I thank you for your honesty, as well as the time and commitment you made to complete the survey and help our parish community become better and spiritually stronger.

The results of the survey are included in this newsletter. I hope these results will give you a clearer vision of how our parishioners responded. We also asked you to respond to a few openended questions. Because of space constraints, we could not include each response in this newsletter, but they have been read, reviewed, and grouped based on likeness so that we could determine the top responses for each open-ended question.

As your pastor, I am confident that the information we have gathered through the survey will help guide our leadership as we continue to develop stewardship in our parish. In the coming year, I hope we all can work together to meet the needs of our faith community and make life at Our Lady of the Assumption more rewarding for us all.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

5057 Cottage Way Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 481-5115 | olaparish.net

Father Eduino Silveira Pastor

2021 PARISH SURVEY RESULTS Liturgy

Which Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption do you most frequently attend?

28% Saturday, 5:00 p.m.

39% Sunday, 9:00 a.m.

27% Sunday, 11:00 a.m.

6% Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

How often do you attend Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption?

60% Every weekend 13% Every weekend and some weekdays 3% Every weekend and every weekday 19% Occasional weekends (once or twice a month) 2% Seasonally (Christmas, Easter, etc.)

4% I no longer attend Mass I consider myself a member of...

97% Our Lady of the Assumption 0% Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 0% St. John the Evangelist 0% St. Philomene 2% Another church Please indicate how well the following liturgical ministers enhance your prayer and worship.

Needs

Excellent Good Fair Improvement Pastor 60% 27% 8% 5% Deacons 46% 43% 9% 3% Ushers 43% 44% 10% 3% Altar Servers 44% 43% 11% 3% Lectors 47% 46% 6% 0% Cantors 57% 31% 10% 2% Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion 50% 45% 5% 1%

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Do you feel welcome when you attend liturgy at Our Lady of the Assumption?

95% Yes 5% No The music at the Mass I attend enhances my prayer and worship.

43% Strongly agree 3% Disagree 34% Agree 2% Strongly Disagree 19% Neutral Do you have any suggestions to help enhance our Sunday liturgies?

Changes/Updates to Music (30) Homilies (18)

Adult Faith Formation Have you attended an Adult Faith Formation program at Our Lady of the Assumption in the last three years?

12% Yes 88% No If you have attended an Adult Faith Formation program at Our Lady of the Assumption in the last three years, was it a good experience?

52% Yes 48% No If you haven’t attended an Adult Faith Formation program at Our Lady of the Assumption in the last three years, would you consider attending one in the future?

55% Yes 45% No If you would like to attend an Adult Faith Formation program, in which areas would you be most likely to participate? (Multiple Responses allowed) 42% Church Teachings 63% Scriptures/Bible Study 25% Ethics and Morality 18% Marriage 24% Small Faith Sharing Groups 57% Practical Ways of Growing in Faith and Prayer 23% Retreats 4% Other

Parish Nursery Do you have children ages 6 months to 4 years old living in your home?

6% Yes 94% No If you have children ages 6 months to 4 years old living in your home, did you utilize the Parish Nursery when it was available during 9:30 a.m. Mass?

7% Regularly 0% Occasionally 93% Never The following questions were answered only if one’s child/ children attended our Parish Nursery.

How would you rate the quality of the Nursery?

0% Excellent 0% Adequate 100% Good 0% Poor If the nursery were offered at the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.

Mass, which time would you be most likely to utilize this service?

14% 9:00 a.m.

86% 11:00 a.m.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Do you have children preschool through 4th grade living in your home?

14% Yes 86% No The following questions were answered only if one’s child/children participated in CLOW in the last two years.

If you have children in preschool through 4th grade living in your home, did they participate in the CLOW when it was available during the 9:30 a.m. Mass?

31% Regularly 28% Occasionally 40% Never How would you rate the quality of the CLOW program?

35% Excellent 10% Adequate 55% Good 0% Poor

Children’s Faith Formation (K - 8) The following questions were answered only if one’s child/children have been enrolled in our Children’s Faith Formation program in the last two years.

How would you rate the quality of instruction that our students receive in our Faith Formation program?

46% Excellent 18% Adequate 36% Good 0% Poor Do you feel that the instruction provided by our Faith Formation program is in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church?

90% Yes 0% No 10% Unsure What do you like most about our Faith Formation program? (Multiple Responses allowed) 62% Director, staff and catechists 45% The families involved 62% The children/families learn about their faith 34% Meeting times 10% Other How do you think we can improve our Faith Formation program? (Multiple Responses allowed) 48% Get the parents more involved 19% Change the time 29% More training and support for the teachers 19% Improve the curriculum 29% Other

Youth Ministry Do you have children in 7th through 12th grade living in your home?

17% Yes 83% No If you have children in 7th through 12th grade living in your home, do they attend youth ministry activities/ programs at Our Lady of the Assumption?

8% Regularly 23% Occasionally 70% Never

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The following questions were answered only if one’s child/children regularly participate in our youth ministry program.

How would you rate the quality of the youth ministry program at Our Lady of the Assumption?

13% Excellent 47% Good 20% Adequate 20% Poor What do you like most about the youth ministry program? (Multiple Responses allowed) 8% The commitment and dedication of the staff 38% The variety of activities offered 54% It involves the youth more in parish life 15% The Christian atmosphere in which they socialize 15% Other How do you think we can most improve the youth ministry program? (Multiple Responses allowed) 27% Involve the youth in the parish more 32% Inform the parishioners more about the program 77% Get more youth involved 45% Offer more activities 14% Improve the current activities 27% Increase the service opportunities 18% Other

Our Lady of the Assumption School

(Preschool - 8th Grade) Having a Catholic school is a vital part of Our Lady of the Assumption’s mission as a parish.

81% Strongly agree 11% Agree 6% Neutral 1% Disagree 0% Strongly disagree

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Do you have children in preschool through 8th grade living in your home?

22% Yes 78% No If you have children in preschool through 8th grade living in your home, where do they attend school?

70% Our Lady of the Assumption School 4% Other Private School 22% Public School 4% Home School If you currently have children in preschool through 8th grade in your household and they do not attend Our Lady of the Assumption School, what is the reason that they don’t attend? (Multiple Responses allowed) 6% Transportation is a problem 22% More academic options at other school 0% Catholic education is not a family priority 39% Cost (I would rather put my money to use in other ways) 28% Cost (I cannot afford to send my child[ren] to Catholic schools) 50% Other Are you aware that Our Lady of the Assumption School has a tuition assistance program for those in need?

82% Yes 18% No The following questions were answered only if one’s children are currently enrolled at Our Lady of the Assumption School.

How would you rate the quality of EDUCATION that our students currently receive at Our Lady of the Assumption School?

47% Excellent 8% Adequate 45% Good 0% Poor How receptive is the FACULTY to meeting your needs?

61% Very receptive 30% Somewhat receptive 2% Neutral/no experience 7% Unreceptive 0% Very unreceptive

Do you feel that the children who attend our Catholic school are receiving good Catholic moral development?

81% Yes 4% No 13% Somewhat 2% Unsure What do you like most about our Catholic school?

(Multiple Responses allowed) 60% Great teachers 77% The daily emphasis on Christian life 77% Catholic education 72% Builds community 8% Other How do you think we can improve our Catholic school?

(Multiple Responses allowed) 30% Increase the communication with the parents 33% Improve the curriculum 33% More training for teachers 40% Increase the emphasis on Catholic Faith 25% Other

Parish Life What is your perception of your role as a member of Our Lady of the Assumption? (Multiple Responses allowed) 97% To attend Mass 69% Participate/volunteer in ministries and social activities 90% Support the parish financially 59% Share my faith with others 2% Other In your experience, how responsive is our PASTOR to your needs and requests?

64% Very responsive 17% Somewhat responsive 16% Neutral 3% Unresponsive 0% Very unresponsive

In your experience, how responsive is the PARISH OFFICE STAFF to your needs and requests?

60% Very responsive 23% Somewhat responsive 15% Neutral 2% Unresponsive 0% Very unresponsive What methods of communication work best for you and your family to receive parish information?

(Multiple Responses allowed) 78% Bulletin 30% Website 15% Facebook 7% MyParish App 67% Email/Flocknote 47% Parish Newsletter/Mailings 56% Announcements at Mass Did you enjoy receiving our parish’s new monthly newsletters?

91% Yes 9% No In what medium would you prefer to receive the parish’s monthly newsletter: 50% Print (current medium used to deliver newsletter) 50% Online (via email or some other form of electronic delivery) What information do you want included in our monthly newsletter? (Multiple Responses allowed) 90% Articles about parish groups and activities 77% Comments from our pastor 46% Highlights on various parishioners 50% Information on the finances of the parish 46% Diocesan-Wide news 63% Articles of general Catholic interest 58% Explanations of specific Catholic teachings 5% Other Do you use our parish’s website?

76% Yes 24% No

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Outreach Do you feel that Our Lady of the Assumption does a good job reaching out to the following groups: Yes No Unsure Active Parishioners 78% 5% 17% Inactive Parishioners 10% 13% 78% New Parishioners 26% 6% 69% Shut-in Parishioners 28% 6% 67% Non-Catholic Spouses 5% 10% 85% The Local Community 32% 7% 61% The Poor 72% 1% 27% Other Christian Churches 19% 3% 78% Other Religions 13% 3% 84% What more can we do as a parish to reach out to those in need? (Multiple Responses allowed) 60% Increase communications about parish ministries 71% Encourage more parishioner participation 34% Be more welcoming 39% Get more involved in the community 13% Other

Stewardship What is your perception of Stewardship (Time, Talent, and Treasure) when it is discussed?

60% Accept it as a core Gospel value and carry it out in my life 9% Don’t really understand what it means 23% Think it’s important, but find it hard to implement 1% Feel it’s not applicable in my life 6% Feel that it’s just another way to discuss fundraising

Stewardship of Time How often does your family share a meal?

60% Daily 16% Several days a week 3% Once a week 2% Less than once a week 19% N/A Do you say grace before meals?

65% Yes 35% No If you have children at home, do you pray with them on a daily basis (in addition to grace before meals)?

21% Yes 16% No 63% N/A If you are married, do you pray with your spouse on a daily basis (in addition to grace before meals)?

19% Yes 54% No 27% N/A In addition to Sunday Mass and grace before meals, how often do you set aside time for personal prayer?

69% Daily 14% Weekly 6% Monthly 11% Never If you have children, do you discuss vocations (Religious Life, Single Life, Married Life) within your family?

31% Yes 13% No 56% N/A

Stewardship of Talent In how many parish ministries, committees, programs or events are you actively involved?

43% 0 10% 3 28% 1 6% 4 or more 13% 2 Beyond participating in weekly Masses, how do you rate your involvement in Our Lady of the Assumption?

11% Very involved 41% Moderately involved 34% Rarely involved 14% Never involved

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What single reason (if any) has most prevented you from more participation in parish ministries?

2% Not interested in what the parish offers 19% Health issues 12% Usually unaware of opportunities within the parish 49% Not enough time due to family and work responsibilities 2% Transportation 17% Haven’t yet made the effort to get involved 1% Lack of babysitting services Are you satisfied with your PERSONAL level of involvement in parish ministries?

66% Satisfied with my current level of involvement 34% Would like to become more involved Are you satisfied with your FAMILY’S level of involvement in parish ministries?

44% Satisfied with current level of involvement 17% Would like to become more involved 39% N/A At what times would you most likely be able to attend parish functions? (Multiple Responses allowed) 19% Saturday mornings 38% Saturday evenings 44% After the Sunday Mass 17% Sunday evenings

I attend 41% Weekday evenings 25% Weekday mornings 15% Weekday afternoons

Stewardship of Treasure Each parishioner is responsible for supporting our parish financially.

56% Strongly agree 33% Agree 10% Neutral 1% Disagree 0% Strongly disagree

How often do you make financial contributions to Our Lady of the Assumption?

48% Every week 3% Every other week 14% Once a month 19% Monthly (for all the weeks in the month) 1% Never 15% Other My household’s annual financial contribution to the parish offertory (please just include the parish offertory and not tuition expenses) represents: 3% 0% of my gross annual income 55% 1% - 2% of my gross annual income 18% 3% - 4% of my gross annual income 10% 5% - 6% of my gross annual income 3% 7% - 8% of my gross annual income 8% 9% - 10% of my gross annual income 2% 11% or more of my gross annual income How do you determine the amount you contribute in the offertory collection?

7% I give a certain dollar amount based on a percentage of my income.

55% I have chosen a certain dollar amount in some other way.

2% I base the amount on what I think the parish needs.

13% I give whatever I can afford that week.

22% I don’t have a system that determines how much I give.

0% I don’t financially support the parish.

What is your perception of our parish’s current financial position?

8% We are easily able to pay our operating bills and put aside money in savings.

29% We are easily able to pay our operating bills.

24% We barely generate enough revenue to pay our operating bills.

4% We are not generating enough revenue to pay our operating bills.

35% I am unaware of the state of our parish finances.

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5057 Cottage Way Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 481-5115 | olaparish.net MASS TIMES: 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass Monday-Friday and first Saturday Saturday 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Sunday Mass 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. *See website for diocesan and county guidelines.

Demographics Gender: 18% Male 53% Female 29% Husband and Wife completed together Marital Status: (Check one) 6% Single 6% Divorced 71% Married 0% Separated 16% Widowed What is your annual household income?

1% $0 - $9,999 5% $10,000 - $29,999 12% $30,000 - $49,999 17% $50,000 - $74,999 16% $75,000 - $99,999 34% $100,000 - $199,999 16% $200,000 and above Age: (Could check more than one box if husband and wife completed the survey together) 0% 18-29 17% 50-59 7% 30-39 22% 60-69 16% 40-49 43% 70+

How long have you been a registered parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption?

2% 0-1 year 13% 6-10 years 7% 2-3 years 70% More than 10 years 8% 4-5 years

General Information The things I like best about Our Lady of the Assumption are...

• Clergy & Staff (53) • Community (36) • Parishioners/Parish Family (35) I wish Our Lady of the Assumption would…

• More Ministry/Activity Opportunities (25) • Mass/Liturgy Suggestions (14) • Suggestions Clergy/Staff (11) What can Our Lady of the Assumption do to encourage parishioners to come back to Mass and become more involved in parish life once the pandemic shutdowns are lifted?

• • •

Social Activities/ Increased Opportunities for Involvement (24) Parishioner Outreach (11) Inform/Communicate details to Parishioners (11)