As part of our You Belong parish initiative, we created a new youth group for parish kids in grades 3 through 7.
Our gatherings consist of fun games, activities, interactive talks, and service opportunities to help our young people grow and thrive in their faith in Jesus and His Church.
The group meets one Sunday per month and typically on the same day as our Teen Youth Group.
Please check our website, bulletin and Wednesday Warmer E-Letter for announcements.
Over 74% of the survey respondents who said they feel a sense of belonging at Saint Michael Parish shared that they go to Mass here on a regular basis. When we actively participate in the celebration of Mass and receive Holy Communion, we are connecting with Christ on the deepest level. We simultaneously receive the Body of Christ and are a member of His mystical Body. Therefore, because we belong to Christ, we belong to one another as fellow members of His one Body!
In our recent You Belong Servey, 3 out of 4 people who reported a sense of belonging to the Saint Michael Parish Family, listed coming regularly to Mass at our church as one of the reasons why they feel that connection.
If you know someone who is feeling disconnected and has gotten out of the habit of coming to Mass, we encourage you to warmly welcome them to join us to experience the deep sense of belonging to Christ and His Church through the joyful celebration of Sunday Mass here at Saint Michael Parish!
Did you know that nearly 85% of the survey respondents who told us that they feel a sense of belonging to Saint Michael Parish credit this in some way to feeling welcomed! Warmly welcoming all those who walk through our church doors is a simple but profound way to let people know that they belong to Christ and to our faith community. As the Rule of St. Benedict teaches: "All guests...are to be welcomed as Christ!"
Perhaps you will consider joining our parish's Hospitality Ministry to help us welcome every guest as Christ and give them a sense of belonging. To learn more about this ministry, call Mary Alice Rock, Director of Pastoral Ministries, at 978-686-4050.
Here's what people had to say:
The 60 responses we received to this question were varied and wide ranging. The most common theme in the collection of responses (nearly 25%) was the suggestion that we should have more events where parishioners can connect with one another, including social events outside of liturgies especially for different segments of the population (ex. elementary to middle school aged children, young adults, singles, etc.).
The Parish's Response:
Parish leadership, including our Parish Pastoral Council, has reflected over these suggestions and we are actively creating additional opportunities on top of those already existing at our parish to strengthen parishioners’ experience of belonging to Christ and one another. This will include a new Youth Ministry specifically for children in grades 3-7, additional gatherings for our new Young Adult Group, more Faith Sharing programs, and special events like the Friendsgiving Celebration taking place in November.
Is there something we could do to create or strengthen your sense of belonging to our parish community?
We are happy to share with you the results to the "You Belong" survey. See what 300 of our parishioners said about if and why they feel a sense of belonging to our parish.