"What are our Gifts?"

Synthesis Report

Date: 12/10/2025 Parish represented in report: Pope St. John XXIII

1. How has your experience at Pope St. John XXIII brought you closer to God?

Parishioners expressed that their experience at Pope St. John XXIII fosters a deeper

relationship with God through accessible and reverently celebrated sacraments, meaningful

sacramental preparation and catechesis, eucharistic adoration, and a strong sense of

communal belonging. Respondents consistently described a parish life where faith is

authentically lived and visibly practiced, reflected in the observation, “This church is genuine; it

practices what it preaches.” Opportunities for worship and prayer are complemented by family-

centered and communal activities that nurture spiritual growth across cultures and languages,

reinforcing the shared experience that it “Feels like one parish, even though different

languages.” Together, these elements support ongoing conversion and discipleship rooted in

encounter with Christ and a sense of community with one another.

2. What are our gifts and strengths?

The parish’s gifts and strengths were identified as its engaged and approachable clergy and

staff, the visible presence of religious sisters, a robust culture of volunteerism, and a welcoming,

diverse trilingual community supported by sound stewardship and facilities. Parishioners

highlighted leadership that is relational and attentive to the life of the parish, noting with

gratitude, “Fr. Tuan, such a leader, not just a pastor.” The witness of religious sisters was

repeatedly named as a spiritual gift to the community, with one participant sharing, “Religious

women’s presence, exposure to their vocation, it’s such a natural influence.” These strengths

contribute to a parish environment marked by participation, shared responsibility, and

fellowship, where parishioners feel invited to serve and to grow together in faith.

3. What are your favorite things about this faith community?

Parishioners most frequently named the welcoming nature of the community, the dedication of

clergy and staff, the presence of religious sisters, and the parish’s rich cultural, linguistic, and

generational diversity as defining characteristics of the faith community. The availability and

quality of the sacraments—particularly through diverse and trilingual Masses, devotional prayer,

and music—were described as central to parish life. Many emphasized a strong sense of unity

amid diversity, again affirming that it “Feels like one parish, even though different languages.”

The presence of religious sisters was experienced as especially hospitable and formative, with

parishioners remarking, “Their presence is open—inviting.” Collectively, these qualities foster a

deep sense of belonging and communion that strengthens faith and encourages continued

engagement in parish life.

“What are our Gifts” Synthesis Report

Parish Represented: St. John of the Woods Mission

When parishioners of St. John of the Woods Mission were asked “How has your experience brought them closer to God”, many stated the importance of participating in Mass and receiving the Sacraments. Adoration and the Stations of the Cross, were identified as central to deepening their faith. A sense of tranquility within the church and the ease with which parishioners can attend mass were also noted. Lastly, members of the faith community have witnessed small miracles, further strengthening their connection to God.

In response to the question, “What are our gifts and strengths?”, parishioners described

unique celebrations and the intimate experiences they share within the church. The nine

gifts of the Holy Spirit are seen as especially present, radiating through the children. Generosity of spirit is evident in the community. Outreach services and the various church ministries are a vital part of the Mass ritual. The Rosary is also a cherished practice, fostering unity and spiritual growth within the parish.

When asked “What are your Favorite Things About this Faith Community?” The themes

related to this question were a welcoming, friendly, and small church fostering diversity by being able to pray together at Mass. Also mentioned were activities within the church such as food, fellowship, and events. The fact that our priests and sisters provide a variety of mass times both early and vigil services were appreciated.

Key Quotes and suggestions worth noting in the Synthesis:

We are a family of Diversity

We provide for the Sacraments

We celebrate Mass

We witness Miracles within the Church

Visitation church Gifts/Strengths summary

Multiple listening sessions of the faith community of Visitation church offered uplifting and overlapping insights on how God has touched the lives of her members and what gifts and strengths they see in their midst that help them stay close to God and each other.

As people shared their stories of how being part of Visitation brought them closer to God several themes emerged. First, over and over again respondents noted feeling ‘at home’ and welcomed in the church. One participant’s experience captured this sentiment when they related how after having explored other churches, upon entering Visitation church they felt immediately at home. Secondly, people often remarked about how important community building experiences, both past and present, helped them stay close to God. Whether it was the Advent and Lent faith sharing groups, the Easter sharing of members’ ‘God moments’ in the bulletin, Sunday coffee and donuts, holiday bazaars, or the school as a community in itself those interviewed at the Visitation sessions were aware of how important these events are for the community to grow closer to each other and to Christ.

These points regarding community lead us to highlight a related point of what drew people closer to God in this faith community: the inspiration of those members whose faith life spanned several generations at Visitation. One respondent characterized these important lives with the words ‘they are the steadfast elder parishioners who lead with quiet strength.” And finally, people reported that what helped people draw closer to God, was the liturgical life and devotional opportunities offered at the church. Whether it was Sunday Mass or sharing the Rosary together before Mass, people sensed God was working with them.

When members were asked to reflect on our church’s gifts and strengths some similar strengths and themes emerged. One strength people repeatedly highlighted was the community’s resilience and grit in the face of many challenges faced over the past decade. One respondent characterized this quality of persistence by simply calling it “our heart.” Another strength that the survey illuminated was the community’s generosity and commitment to service as evidenced by both the school’s presence as well as the Food for the Food ministry. One senses that the community sees this commitment to service as an ongoing gift and strength for the future as well. A final strength that was noted in our conversations was the supportive role pastoral leaders—both ordained and lay staff members—in helping the community remain strong.

To sum up, the vitality of the Visitation faith community is demonstrated in several ways. One is how we make people feel seen and known. Here is an example of this: When one member of the community, who is often seen sitting alone, was asked what his favorite thing was about Visitation, his face lit up and he said, without missing a beat, ‘decorating the church for Christmas.’ He was seen and known and grateful to be asked. Another source of vitality for us is the deepening relationship between our school and church community. And finally, the church building itself is a source of faith that resonates with people’s sense of belonging and of closeness to God. As one person remarked, ‘the church feels traditional and cozy at the same time.’ This feeling of stability and nurturing represents the best of what this faith community seeks to embody in her life.