St Leonard Parish Survey April 2025

Summary of the Results

 

A two-page questionnaire was handed out in person at all Sunday masses on the weekend of April 6^th. It was also made available at the front of the church and on our website until May 7th. A total of 207 surveys were returned to date and these have been sorted, and a general summary was made of the responses. This summary was submitted to the pastoral council for review. A more comprehensive statistical analysis of the survey will be made available at our Annual General Meeting for the parish on June 5^th, 2025.

General information of respondents:

The surveys were submitted by and even a mixture of people filling them out for themselves or their family. The respondents stated that they were evenly split as coming from Manotick, Barrhaven, and Riverside South; seventy-five percent of whom reported that they were registered members of our parish who attend mass here every weekend. Approximately ninety percent of respondents offered St. Leonard Parish as the church that they normally attend.

When asked which form of communication they preferred, most people preferred email (121), 65 preferred pulpit announcements during the mass and 52 preferred the website and 34 the newsletter, however it is noted that the newsletter goes out to over 1000 people each week and over 600 people open it within the first 24 hours of receiving it. Approximately 33 percent of respondents reported regularly volunteering at the parish.

Comments made by respondents:

Overall, the general comments were positive, with most people commenting that they love and enjoy being members of our parish. 

There were also many compliments for our pastor, Fr. John, Deacon John, and Fr. Joe, who is a retired priest who helps us with masses and confessions. Compliments were also given for the improvements that have been made with the sound and lighting in the church - please note that this is still in progress and should be completed by the summer.

When asked what improvements they would recommend, most people wanted to know more about the parish regarding the sacrament, mass, confession times, and the present and future plans for the parish - the former is available on our website and the latter is currently under review by our pastoral and financial councils and will be shared in more detail in our Annual General Meeting to be held in the parish hall on June 5^th.

Others expressed concerns about difficulties in accessing information and help from the parish office and how to volunteer - we are currently working on better policies and procedures to better streamline our responses to the many requests that are received each day.

Some people expressed concern about parking and weekday mass times - a parking contract is in the works with the school to better accommodate the use of our parking lots by each other during the week and weekends.

People also had concerns about the noise levels of people talking before and during the mass and the quality of the music -  we are also working on a solution to these issues as well. There were also requests for additional masses on Sunday -we are looking at what options are available for our parish.

Some people had questions about the new votive candles at the altar. The older large candles were becoming too expensive to operate; they cost us about ten dollars each to buy and were receiving less than five dollars each in donations. This was costing the parish over five thousand dollars per year and was also causing a lot of soot and air quality concerns in the church. A very few parishioners also only used them. The new smaller candles are much cheaper and more environmentally friendly for the parishioners. They also increase the opportunities for more parishioners to light a candle as a sign of their prayers rising up to be received.

A few people expressed concerns about a dog that is brought into the church during one of our masses – this is a service dog for a disabled parishioner who has requested that it be allowed for compassionate reasons.

All other individual suggestions and concerns have been noted and will be addressed in person or in writing through the final survey report.

Conclusion:

We are currently undergoing a comprehensive review of all the administration functions and pastoral ministries of the parish to better meet the current and future needs of our parishioners. This survey will help us to know what is working and what needs improvement. Your prayers, cooperation and financial support will directly affect our ability to help our parish be an awesome place of welcome and worship. Many thanks to everyone who participated.

Peace be with you all,

Fr. John