2025-26 Survey Results: Immaculate Conception 


1. Are the changes to create a welcoming atmosphere working? 


  Beginning  4    |   Occasionally  3 |   Frequently  19  |  Strongly    28

   

Overall, responses show strong agreement that the parish is becoming more welcoming. Several key themes emerged: 


  • Increased Friendliness and Openness: Many respondents noted seeing more people greeting newcomers, talking after Mass, and making efforts to connect. These behaviors are viewed as signs of real progress. 

  • Growth in Young Families: Several comments highlighted more young families and young parishioners attending Mass and parish activities. This was frequently cited as evidence that the parish atmosphere is improving. 

  • Positive Community Feeling: Respondents appreciated the sense of community—feeling welcomed at each service, being invited to breakfast, and seeing others offer prayers or support. 


  • Appreciation for Specific Efforts: Mentions included: 


  • Pre‑Mass announcements 
  • The “attack ministry” (likely meaning outreach or hospitality efforts) 
  • Parishioners providing context and welcoming newcomers before Mass 

These three items were seen as helpful in creating a warm environment. 


  • Personal Stories of Welcome: One respondent returning after 30+ years—following the loss of a daughter—shared feeling strongly welcomed, highlighting the parish’s compassionate spirit. 


  • Some Uncertainty: A small number of participants weren’t aware of specific changes but still expressed love for the Mass or long‑standing feelings of being welcomed. 


  • Overall Tone: The overall sentiment is highly positive. Many describe the parish as “amazing,” and most believe meaningful progress is being made, even if it’s a gradual journey. 


2 . Do you feel more positive about our parish community than you did a year ago?  

   Beginning  0    |  Occasionally  3 |  Frequently  16  |   Strongly    35


Strong Increase in Welcoming Atmosphere: Many respondents said the parish feels more welcoming, citing: 


  • Friendly greeters 
  • Parishioners intentionally reaching out 
  • Long-time members modeling positivity and hospitality 
  • People feeling personally welcomed and invited in 

This sense of belonging appears to be a major driver of increased positivity. 


Growth in Community Connection & Unity: Several comments highlight: 

  • People interacting more and spending time together 
  • Parishioners stepping outside their comfort zones 
  • Increased hugging, warmth, and personal connection 
  • A sense that “we’re becoming a closer unit” 

Overall, community bonds are visibly strengthening. 


Positive Influence of Younger Families: Respondents noted: 

  • More young families attending 
  • More small children and babies in church 
  • A renewed sense of life and vibrancy 
  • Joy at seeing the church becoming multigenerational again 

This presence is viewed as highly encouraging and life-giving. 


Appreciation for Father’s Leadership and Homilies: Many pointed to: 

  • Father’s meaningful, challenging homilies 
  • His reminders to be positive and welcoming 
  • Leadership that fosters a healthy parish culture 

This leadership is clearly contributing to the overall positive shift. 


Increased Involvement and Volunteer Activity: Comments indicate: 

  • More people are becoming active 
  • More volunteers than before 
  • Deliberate outreach is happening 
  • A sense that parish life feels “more alive” 

This increase in engagement supports the perception of positive momentum. 


Overall Consensus: Positivity Has Increased: Most respondents chose “Strongly” positive and described: 

  • Feeling more blessed 
  • Feeling more at home 
  • Noticing improvement over the past year 

Only one comment mentioned “About the same,” and even that included “110%,” suggesting a lighthearted affirmation rather than dissatisfaction. 


3. In the last year have you felt more respected and valued as a part of the parish community? 

   Beginning  0    |  Occasionally 11 |  Frequently  16  |   Strongly    35


Most Parishioners Already Felt Respected — and Still Do: Many respondents emphasized that they have always felt respected and valued in the parish. Comments included: 

  • “Always have been.” 
  • “But I’ve usually always felt that way.” 
  • “People have always treated me with great respect.” 
  • “Never felt disrespected.” 

This shows a long-standing foundation of kindness and mutual respect in the community. 


Growing Sense of Acceptance and Belonging: Several people expressed a stronger sense of acceptance over the past year, noting: 

  • Feeling more accepted 
  • Finding joy in being part of activities 
  • Feeling like a valued member 
  • Getting to know more people 

Strong Appreciation for the Priest and Parish Peers: Comments highlighted: 

  • Love for the parish priest 
  • Appreciation for parish peers 
  • Feeling cared for within the parish family 

Specific personal touches—such as Father calling people by name—were mentioned as signs of respect. 


Recognition Through Invitations and Involvement: Some respondents felt more valued because they were: 

  • Invited to serve or join parish groups (e.g., “the 12”) 
  • Encouraged to share their faith with others 

This shows that personal invitations make individuals feel seen and appreciated. 

Mutual Respect Within the Community: A few comments emphasized that respect goes both ways: 

  • “It is a mutual feeling at our parish.” 

This reinforces the sense of shared responsibility for maintaining a respectful environment. 


A Few Unique Notes 

  • One respondent humorously noted being 94 and feeling people “think I should know more”—still marked as Strongly respected. 
  • One person said there was “No change,” but did not indicate any negative feelings. 

 

Overall Conclusion: The comments overwhelmingly show that parishioners feel deeply respected, valued, and appreciated, both historically and in the present. Many even feel more accepted and connected this year, with strong appreciation for the priest, fellow parishioners, and the sense of mutual care within the community. 

 


4. Have we invited you to be more involved in our parish? How?  

Never  0 | Rarely 2 |Occasionally  16  |   Frequently  28



Many parishioners have been personally invited and involved: Several respondents said they were: 


  • Personally asked to help at events 
  • Invited by LT, Cindy Campbell, Dave H., or parish ministries 
  • Involved in men’s group, funeral luncheons, women’s group, hall organization 
  • Helping regularly with tasks like counting money 
  • Asked to serve in various ministries (sick visits, funerals, doughnuts, parish directory, picnics) 

These invitations often came through direct personal outreach. 


Several people are already very involved: Some respondents noted: 

  • They are currently involved in multiple ministries 
  • They volunteer frequently 
  • They feel they cannot take on any more responsibilities 

A few even joked they’ve been invited “too much,” indicating strong engagement. 


Some people volunteer themselves rather than being asked: A few comments reflected: 

  • Self-directed involvement (“I volunteer myself”) 
  • Independence or long history in the parish (e.g., 48 years as a member) 

These individuals help when and where they can without formal invitations. 


A few obstacles to involvement exist: A small number mentioned barriers: 

  • A spouse not being Catholic 
  • Feeling intentionally not invited due to being overly involved already 
  • Health, age, or previous capacity affecting participation 

These show that invitations sometimes need additional sensitivity or awareness. 


Personal invitations are key for future involvement: One comment noted: 

  • Many parishioners would likely get involved if personally asked 
  • Some deal with loneliness and may be waiting for an invitation 

This highlights the value of relational outreach and intentional inclusion. 


Overall Conclusion 

Most respondents indicate that the parish has invited them to be more involved, and many are already serving in several roles. Personal invitation plays an important role in increasing involvement, and some parishioners emphasize that a simple, direct ask could help engage even more people. 


5. Do you think that our parishes overall participate in the larger Steven’s county needs? Are our parishes actively involved in the Stevens county community? (Joyful, active participant)  


Strong Participation in Key Community Outreach Ministries: Respondents most frequently identified several ministries as clear signs of the parish’s active involvement in the wider community: 

  • Friendship Feast (mentioned repeatedly) 
  • Prepares (strongly affirmed) 
  • Tree of Sharing 
  • Highway Cleanup 
  • Thanksgiving meals / Thanksgiving Dinner at the Ag Trade Center 
  • Dominican Haven support 


Knights of Columbus as a Major Contributor: Several comments specifically highlight the Knights of Columbus as an active participant in community needs, contributing through: 

  • Service projects 
  • Charity efforts 
  • Local support initiatives 


Parish Works Quietly but Substantially: A recurring theme is that the parish contributes quietly, without a lot of public fanfare: 

  • Many efforts are “done quietly” and not widely publicized 
  • Parishioners feel the impact is there, even if not loudly promoted 

This suggests humility paired with genuine service. 


Some Participation is Visible Through the Bulletin: A few noted seeing invitations to participate in broader community events via: 

  • Parish bulletin announcements 
  • Events like the Walk for Life / Life Center activities 

This shows efforts to connect parish life with community-level causes. 


Some Observations About Coordination Challenges 

One respondent noted that county-level organizational challenges make it difficult to mobilize broader community help.  This implies that sometimes the barrier is not parish willingness but the structure of county-wide coordination. 


Positive Perception of Parishioners’ Contributions: One comment observed that: 

  • Many parishioners are “making a difference” 
  • Even people the respondent doesn’t personally know seem active and confident in their roles 

This indicates a strong underlying culture of service within the parish. 


Overall Conclusion: Respondents generally believe the parish is actively participating in the needs of Stevens County—particularly through Friendship Feast, Prepares, the Knights of Columbus, Tree of Sharing, and Thanksgiving efforts. The parish’s contributions are seen as sincere, hands-on, and sometimes understated. While some note organizational challenges at the county level, parishioners perceive many fellow members as quietly and consistently making a real impact. 


6. What do you like best about our parish? 


Strongest Themes 


  • Community & Welcoming Atmosphere 
    Many respondents said the parish feels like     home, with friendly, warm, and welcoming parishioners. 
    Words used repeatedly:     community, friendly, welcoming, home. 
  • Fr. Kenny 
    Overwhelmingly positive comments about his: 
  • homilies ("spot on") 
  • leadership style 
  • personality 
  • reverence for the Eucharist 
  • ability to make people feel welcome and included 
  • Liturgy & Homilies 
    Liturgies were described as excellent, reverent, meaningful, and structured. 
  • Music 
    Many enjoyed the music—especially the organ and flute. 
    (A few noted music needs improvement.) 
  • Activities & Parish Life 
    Favorites included: 
  • Wine & Cheese nights 
  • KOC breakfasts 
  • Donut Sundays 
  • Youth activities 
  • Education classes 
  • Adoration before Mass 

Overall tone: Very positive, with emphasis on a strong sense of belonging and a beloved priest. 


7. What can we do to help the parish thrive or improve? 


Most Common Suggestions 


  • More or improved music 
  • Requests for choir or music at the 4 pm Mass 
  • Less incense on certain days 
  • Music more participatory for parishioners 
  • More activities & involvement opportunities 
    Suggestions included: 
  • Bingo night 
  • More breakfasts 
  • Continued/expanded youth involvement 
  • Opportunities for parishioners to take on roles 
  • Better engagement of parishioners 
  • Give people jobs 
  • Personal invitations to serve 
  • Help shy people feel included 
  • Assign a parishioner to welcome new members 
  • Youth Focus 
  • Promote youth group more 
  • Recruit youth from nearby parishes 
  • Bring back altar servers 
  • Collaboration & Outreach 
  • More interaction with other Christian churches 
  • Continue current outreach plans 


Smaller suggestions 


  • Holy Day Mass at a more convenient time 
  • Keep doing what’s working (several said no major changes needed) 
  • Some light-hearted comments about reducing incense 


8. How can we more effectively communicate with you? 


Main Feedback 


  • Communication is already effective 
    Many said:     “You’re doing good,” “Communication is adequate,” “Already excellent.” 
  • Preferred Communication Methods 
  • Texting 
  • Email 
  • Phone calls 
  • Bulletin 
  • Social media (mentioned once) 
  • In-person communication at Sunday Mass 
  • One respondent cannot text and prefers phone calls. 


Overall: Communication seems to be working well for most parishioners. 


9. What is one thing you would like to be involved in? 


Themes 


  • Many are already involved or willing to help “where needed.” 
  • Some are less able due to age. 
  • Specific areas people would like to help in:  
  • Youth group 
  • Community events 
  • Decorating 
  • Men’s group / Knights of Columbus 
  • Women’s group 
  • Adoration 
  • Choir 
  • Coffee & donuts / funeral hospitality 
  • Daily Mass serving 


Overall: Strong willingness to serve, with emphasis on youth, hospitality, and liturgical ministries. 


10. Additional comments 


Most Common Messages 


  • Love and appreciation for the parish 
    Many expressed deep love for the parish community, priest, and ministries. 
  • Affirmation of programs 
  • Women’s group 
  • Tuesday class 
  • KOC help 
  • Texting prayer line is loved 
  • Music suggestions 
  • Desire for choir or piano at Saturday Mass. 
  • Encouragement & thanks 
  • Thanking leadership for efforts to enliven the tri-parishes 
  • “You guys rock!” 
  • Encouragement to give people more roles 
  • Constructive concern 
  • Fr. Kenny being spread too thin among multiple locations 


Overall tone: Warm, thankful, and supportive. 


Overall Summary of All Responses 


Your parish is highly loved, especially for its: 


  • Sense of community and welcoming environment 
  • Fr. Kenny and his strong leadership and homilies 
  • Liturgy and reverence 
  • Friendly parishioners 


Main improvement areas suggested: 


  • More activities & community events 
  • Increased involvement opportunities 
  • Improvements or additions to music 
  • Enhanced youth engagement 
  • Personal invitations and structured ways to involve new or shy members 


Communication is working well, with text, email, and phone being the preferred methods.