Last year, our parishioners participated in a survey to help identify opportunities and obstacles. Your feedback led directly to Tuesday and First Friday evening confessions, better liturgical formation, making emails easier to find on the website, extended opening times for the chapel throughout the week, a Spanish weekday Mass and sermon, better communication about youth groups and activities, the narthex feedback box, and the Waxahachie Catholic’s news and education format.

Of course, we still have room to grow. As we continue to strive to meet the needs of our parishioners, Waxahachie, and western Ellis County, I again invite parishioners to answer this year’s survey covering the same themes that are key to the identity and purpose of a parish.

If you pointed out something last year that has not yet been addressed, please let us know in this survey (the parish may not have been able to get to it in the last year, or we thought it was addressed). If you see something that has improved, then definitely let us know this year (knowing what is working helps the parish plan the road ahead).

I will see the responses from this survey. No parish employee or volunteer will see the responses. Others will only see a summary of the results.

All questions are optional. Please give your honest thoughts about where you see obstacles and opportunities in and around the parish.

The Rev. James Yamauchi
Pastor, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Waxahachie

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* 1. What barriers exist for you to become more involved with the Church, particularly through Mass, confession, and adoration? What suggestions do you have for removing those barriers?

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* 2. Are there certain prayers and practices (e.g. daily Mass, adoration, the rosary, novenas, etc.) that you do?  Are there certain saints you feel a special connection to?

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* 3. How can the parish serve you and your family better in learning the faith? In what ways would you like to learn more about the faith? How do you currently learn about the faith?

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* 4. What are your impressions of the weekly sermons (Sunday sermons and the Monday Spanish sermons)? What barriers are there to you coming to the sermons?

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* 5. What are your impressions of St. Joseph Catholic School?  If they are not already enrolled, what barriers are there that would keep your children or grandchildren from enrolling in the school?

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* 6. Do you have quality friendships in your life that support your spiritual growth?  What organizations do you participate in for friendship, spiritual growth, networking, or social connection?

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* 7. What are the greatest threats to the faith of Catholics in this area?

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* 8. Where do you think are the biggest opportunities for the parish to evangelize in this area?

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* 9. How can the parish do better at supporting our local community with works of charity? What are some local causes that you give time or money to?

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* 10. How do you hear about parish news and updates? How is the parish communicating well? How can the parish communicate better?

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* 11. Are there any other ways in which the parish can better serve your needs? Ways the parish can better serve the needs of other parishioners?

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* 12. Any other thoughts?

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* 13. May we follow up with you to talk further?

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