Welcome
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Feasibility Study Report
Town Meeting
Thank You for Joining Us.
November 20, 2003
“It was not you who
chose me, but I who
chose you and
appointed you to go
and bear fruit that will
remain, so that
whatever you ask the
Father in my name He
may give you. This I
command you: love
one another.”
Profile of Interviews
Number% of Total
Total interviews 52
Total people interviewed 87
Number of male participants * 43 49.4%
Number of female participants * 44 50.6%
Number of Couples * 35 67.3%
Number in parish 15 years or more* 27 51.9%
Number indicating less than 15 years* 25 48.1%
* based on number of interviews* based on number of interviewees
Project Details
Capacity builds to 750 with expansion to 800
New Worship Space:
Larger Chapel & Baptistry
Crying Room
Additional Meeting Rooms
Additional Office Space for
Full-time secretaries (2)Business ManagerPastor’s officeAdult Ministry DirectorYouth Ministry DirectorFinancial preparations and review areaReception RoomConference & Meeting Room
Existing church to be razed. New church will be built on the existing site.
Total Cost: $6 million
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
All who were interviewed feel very much at home at St. Mary Magdalen; they embrace the parish as their own, have great pride in it, and feel special for being part of the family.
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 1
“This parish is the core of my life.”
90.5% (47/52) feel ‘very much’ at home; other 9.5% feel somewhat at home, were close at one time, and are not as involved at present.
Pastor / Priests (#1 strength / 53 mentions)
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 2
“Father Ralph has turned this parish around. He is spiritually strong, warm, caring and wants to please.”
“Both pastors go out of their way to make it feel like a church community.”
Father Mulgrew is very friendly and a good leader. (6 mentions)
Father Chieffo is a tremendous leader; involved in everything; holds the parish together; great personality and sense of humor; very much loved. (42 mentions)
In general – Father Ralph and Father Mulgrew are a great team and make everyone feel at home. (5 mentions)
People (#2 strength / 36 mentions) Parishioners are very involved, generous and welcoming. They are friendly, faith-filled and willing to work together. There is a close-knit group and a strong sense of community.
“The people here are the parish’s biggest asset.”
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 3
“The parish has a lot of good people that are very involved. They give a lot of themselves.”
School (#3 strength / 25 mentions)
“We couldn’t ask for a better school. The teachers are dedicated and they teach sound Christian principles.”
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 4
In general – The school is highly respected; excellent faculty; helps gather families and brings young people together. (17 mentions)
Pat Miniszak – She is awesome and does a remarkable job leading the school. (8 mentions)
“We love Pat Miniszak. She is a great leader for the school.”
Atmosphere (#4 strength / 14 mentions ): Parishioners rave about the family environment felt here. There is a feeling of ease and relaxation that makes everyone feel comfortable and at home.
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 5
“This place is a breath of fresh air.”
Spirituality (#5 strength / 12 mentions): Strong, faith-based and devout; parishioners really want to grow closer to God.
“The liturgies talk to people. They are inspiring.”
Programs (11) – great variety. Parishioner involvement (5). Liturgy / Masses (3) – excellent liturgical celebrations. Location (2). Financial security (2). CCD Families Feel a Part of the Parish (2).
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 6
Other: Adoration Chapel; church building; fine physical plant; great resources with people; size (small) and young people get lots of attention.
Facilities #1 area for improvement (identified with 29 mentions)! Parishioners want to make St. Mary Magdalen an even better parish.
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 7
Church – Change is needed; more seats, more Catholic feel and general upgrades (12)
General – Overall facilities need upgrading and made more attractive (4)
Cry Room – One is needed in the church (3)
Meeting Space – More space to gather for all the ministries of parish (3)
Parking – More spaces are needed (2)
Rectory – Priests need more privacy (2)
School – Fans, air-conditioning and a larger cafeteria (2)
Single Mentions – More offices
Church – Change is needed; more seats, more Catholic feel and general upgrades (12)
General – Overall facilities need upgrading and made more attractive (4)
Cry Room – One is needed in the church (3)
Meeting Space – More space to gather for all the ministries of parish (3)
Parking – More spaces are needed (2)
Rectory – Priests need more privacy (2)
School – Fans, air-conditioning and a larger cafeteria (2)
Single Mentions – More offices
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 8
None: Nothing needs to be changed. Many see everything as great at St. Mary Magdalen. (10 mentions )
Liturgy / Masses: More focused sermons; homilies that relate to everyday life; opportunities for children to get involved; and a more worshipful atmosphere (8 mentions)
“We don’t have much to improve because everything is already here.”
“There is too much noise because of people in the vestibule.”
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 9
Lack of Priests: People desire more priests and deacons in general. Father Chieffo is expected to do too much. (8 mentions)
Other: Financial emphasis ~ too much emphasis on money and tithing (6); School (5); Activities ~ more programs (5); Parish management ~ too much confusion (3); Communication (3); Noise level ~ too much talking in back of church (2); Social growth ~ more community gatherings (2); and Raise teachers salaries (2).
Parishioner Involvement: The same old nucleus do everything. Ministries, and even mass attendance, are not as active as they could and should be for the parish. (8 mentions)
“It’s very difficult for two priests to handle this parish and soon we’ll only have one.”
“I would like to see more activities and more participation.”
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Strengths Improvements1. Pastor / Priest (53) 1. Facilities (29)
2. People (36)
2. None (10)
3. School (25) 3. Liturgy / Masses ( 8)
4. Atmosphere (14) 3. Lack of Priests ( 8)
5. Spirituality (12) 3. Parishioner ( 8)
Involvement
DisagreeAgree with Reservations
Agree
65.4% resonate with plans as presented. Additional 21.2% agree while asking questions and sharing some concerns. Seven (13.4%) disagree. (86.6% disposed.)
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 10
“I’m so pleased we are willing to move ahead and consider this.
Clearly, we are already cramped for space in all areas.
The church is tight. We so desperately need space to meet.”
“I like what I see. I’m for it. It is more sensible to build new rather than add on. I think Father Chieffo will make this a spiritually uplifting edifice.”
21.2% agree and share some reservations:
$6 million is outrageous / plans are extravagant
Do we really need a new church?
Have all alternatives been considered / is it possible to just renovate existing church?
What are the actual cost estimates? They seem to be continually changing.
Need to validate this demographically
Is this the best timing for campaign?
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 11
Will this create a rift among those who are in favor and those opposed?
Will parking be sufficient?
Has there been any parishioner input for the layout of projected church?
Will new church be large enough?
DisagreeAgree with Reservations
Agree
13.4% disagree with the project:
Feel the plans are extravagant
Do not see the need for a new church
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 12
Confusion that tithing was supposed to eliminate need for capital campaign
Not convinced it is necessary with numbers presented
Disagree
Agree with Reservations
Agree
Many people however, feel this is going to happen regardless of the study and that there has not been enough parishioner input.
Awareness of the project is excellent. 98% of respondents were at least somewhat informed about the plans.
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 13
“Father has done a nice job of keeping us informed from the pulpit to the bulletin.”
“I am aware that the decision to build a new church was made a long time ago. We were then told it was
a done deal.”
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 14
Campaign process is accepted and embraced by (44) 84.6% of the people. One respondent simply could not answer the question.
Four agree with reservations and three disagree; those against the campaign are opposed to the plans; others need to be convinced of need and some say tithing was supposed to eliminate a capital campaign. However, members want to move ahead with plans and are very supportive (and enthusiastic) for a capital campaign.
Campaign is seen as a vehicle to enhance community and to energize members focused on common goals. Strengthening all around stewardship is embraced!
St. Mary Magdalen ParishFeasibility Study
F I N D I N G S 15
“We must do all we can to unite this parish with a campaign. This is a family who sees
two different ways to go.”
“We hear a lot of negative talk in the parish. I am concerned. We need a
united spirit to do this.”
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Feasibility Study
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 1
Acknowledge all participants; provide Synopsis.
Crystallize Parish’s Vision: Affirm the many unique components and accomplishments of St. Mary Magdalen Parish within the Mission Statement.
Develop Vision for the future which will validate present plans.
Revisit Current Plans: Review plan under consideration and engage in a process designed to finalize and clarify the various components (measured against mission and vision).
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Feasibility Study
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 2
Have all options been explored for whether new worship space needs to be built or just renovations done to the existing church with costs determined?
Is there space available for use in the existing school facility?
Are the parish registrations, housing starts, attendance and growth trends accurate to warrant a larger church?
Specifically address Frequently Asked Questions:
Can any areas be cut back to bring down the costs?
Will there be enough parking with the new church?
Are the headcount numbers that were presented to the parish up to date?
Are cost estimates accurate? What is our financial position? More detail and specifics of the project need to be communicated.
Answer all other reasonable questions.
What is the long term vision and plan for St. Mary Magdalen?
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Feasibility Study
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 3
Specifically address Frequently Asked Questions:
Campaign Potential: $2.5 Million minimum goal assuminga successful challenge with a $500,000 gift, a widely embraced pacesetting effort, and broad based support (600 donors minimum)
Finalize Details of Plans: A collaborative process between clergy, lay leaders and parishioners to finalize objectives, priorities, $ goal, timing, methodology, etc.
Prepare initial draft of Case Statement
Develop strategy for better Accountability / Communications
God’s plan for St. Mary Magdalen and role of stewardship
Town Meeting
Financial Profile of St. Mary Magdalen / projections
Root in mission and vision
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Feasibility Study
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 4
Steering Committee: evolves to Leadership Team of Capital Campaign for a Spring 2004 Kickoff
Present opportunities for gifts of appreciated assets (26.9%)
Clarify responsibilities and role of volunteer
St. Mary Magdalen Parish
Feasibility Study
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S 5
Campaign to be embracing, involving all who wish to be involved.
Provide opportunities to join together and realize continuing dream.
‘See how they love one another’
Campaign storytellers preserve the faith and realize the dream.
Range of Gifts$3,000,000
(3 year pledge)
1 $500,000 $500,000
1 250,000 $250,000
3 100,000 $300,000
5 50,000 $250,000
10 $1,300,000
15 $25,000 $375,000
25 15,000 $375,000
30 10,000 $300,000
40 5,000 $200,000
110 $1,250,000
120 SUB-TOTALS $2,550,000
60 $3,000 $180,000
150 1,000 $150,000
270 Up to $1,000 $120,000
480 SUB-TOTALS $450,000
600 TOTALS $3,000,000
1 $500,000 $500,000
1 1 250,000 $250,000 $250,000
3 100,000 $300,000
5 2 50,000 $100,000 $250,000
10 3 $350,000 $1,300,000
15 3 $25,000 $75,000 $375,000
25 3 15,000 $45,000 $375,000
30
40
6
15
10,000
5,000
$60,000
$76,000
$300,000
$200,000
110 27 $256,000 $1,250,000
120 30 SUB-TOTALS $606,000 $2,550,000
60 9 $3,000 $27,000 $180,000
150 7 1,000 $7,000 $150,000
270 2 up to $1,000 $1,000 $120,000
480 18 SUB-TOTALS $35,000 $450,000
600 48 TOTALS $641,000 $3,000,000
Range of Gifts$3,000,000
(3 year pledge)
Make a personal commitment in advance of kick-off
Solicit at least one and probably five to six others
Attend the Volunteer’s Workshop
Personally acknowledge anyone whose gift you solicit whether they give or not
Pray daily for thesuccess of the campaign
The Five Traditions
5 2
3 2
1 0
2 6
5
7
5
In te rv iew s
C om m ittee
L e ad e rsh ip
S o lic ita t io n
Y E S M A Y B E
Campaign Volunteer PotentialSt. Mary Magdalen Parish
29
mentions
regarding
improvements
to
facilities
General PhaseTo Be
Announced
Leadership Phase Chairs
Pacesetter Phase Chairs
Committee
St. Mary Magdalen ParishCapital Campaign
Committee Structure
Captain
Campaign ChairsCampaign Chairs
PastorRev. Ralph J. Chieffo
PastorRev. Ralph J. Chieffo
Finance Council
Steering Committee
Pastoral Council
Committee
Honorary ChairsHonorary Chairs
April 18, 2023
Ad HocAppreciated Assets
Building Liaison
Business Task Force
Deferred Gifts
Evangelization
Naming Opportunities
Ad HocAppreciated Assets
Building Liaison
Business Task Force
Deferred Gifts
Evangelization
Naming Opportunities
Communications Chairs
Captain
CaptainCaptain
CaptainCaptain
CaptainCaptain
CaptainCaptain
CaptainCaptain
CaptainCaptain
Capital Accounts / Data Management
Special Events Chairs
Committee
Philanthropy -
Rediscovering Fire