On November 7, St. John Paul the Great Parish held a productive town hall meeting to discuss the results of a recent parish survey and to set goals for the future. Parishioners who attended provided valuable input on the direction they hope our community will take over the next six years. Based on survey feedback, five key areas for improvement emerged:

1. Youth and Family Involvement
Many parishioners expressed a strong desire for greater engagement with young families, children and teens. Suggestions included activities like a youth-focused Mass, a children’s choir, and more youth and family gatherings. Parishioners believe that focusing on youth and family will help bring younger generations back to church and strengthen their connection to faith.

2. Community Building and Fellowship
There is a strong interest in increasing opportunities for fellowship and unity within our community. Parishioners suggested events such as potluck dinners, ethnic dinners, and additional social gatherings. They emphasized the importance of welcoming and integrating different community groups, especially our Spanish-speaking members, and creating a space where all feel connected and at home.

3. Spiritual Education and Faith Formation
Parishioners expressed a need for enhanced faith formation programs for all ages. They would like to see more Bible study groups, adult faith formation, youth catechesis, and teaching on the significance of the Eucharist to deepen parishioners’ understanding and commitment to their faith. See Page 5 for first in a series on the Mass.

4. Financial Stability and Facility Maintenance
Financial health and facility upkeep were recognized as essential to our parish’s future. Parishioners suggested focusing on stewardship and fundraising to address maintenance needs and sustain our parish. They also noted that engaging younger families would support the parish’s financial and spiritual vitality.

5. Enhanced Worship Experience
Suggestions to enrich our worship experience included introducing a gospel choir with a band to engage youth, improving microphone use, offering shorter homilies, and providing quiet time before Mass for reflection and prayer.

During the town hall meeting, attendees split into five groups, each addressing one of these areas. Group discussions produced detailed strategies for achieving our goals, and each group’s spokesperson shared a summary of their ideas. Attendees then voted on priorities, selecting Youth and Family Involvement and Community Building and Fellowship as the top areas to address first. Many parishioners felt that improvement in these areas would positively impact other aspects of parish life, including financial stability.

Looking ahead, in addition to these initiatives, we also aim to honor the upcoming 100th anniversary of St. Peter’s Church Building in 2028. Plans are underway to renovate the church floor and restore the historic St. Peter’s Hall Theatre (Realto, Torrington’s oldest theatre) to its former glory, bringing new life to our facilities.

We are grateful to all who participated in this collaborative effort and shared their vision for our parish. Together, we will work diligently to bring these goals to life, ensuring that St. John Paul the Great Parish remains a vibrant, welcoming, and faith-filled community for years to come.

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