Location, community/people, history.

Financial (are we being fiscally responsible?), school issues (disastrous administration and families that seem to "run the show"), a priest that can be a bully.

I honestly don't know. We are finding it harder to want to show up for mass. We are constantly pressured to give more money while our priest does things like film a stock the bard video and installing a hot tub (gift or no gift this was inappropriate). Our principal was not involved in the parish so we are hopeful the new principal can help bridge the parish and school better.

Parish, was previously in our school. In order to answer this question,, I looked up definition of “parish” and it means community a collective of people gathering together as one group. This was a strength when my family started this parish. I continue to attend this parish, because I believe when can get back to being a true parish, including the school.. my family vomits time and talent along with treasure to this community because when we started the parish welcomed us with open arms. It is no longer this way. Instead the focus is on money and those who can significantly contribute financially. Previously this was not the case—all families are welcome. I stay because I believe in what we were as a community.

The first is prioritizing money over everything. When the Catholic Church established stewardship it meant time, talent and treasurer, within this parish it only means treasure. This is unfortunate, especially for my family, who knowing our bank account isn’t as big as others, gives its time.

Lack of true transparency is a significant challenge. As is enumerated in the parish survey, we have no parish council-why this seams contrary to other communities. Transparency includes listening, faith I. The members who have but their faith in leadership. We cannot be a pariah if only certain voices are perceived as the collective.

Consensus building is a significant challenge, we are told who we are to be as a parish, we are not part of the process to determine who will be collectively. Leadership is not just dictating it is building together with one voice. We were this, but we are no longer. Instead we are told give money, give money and everything you were and who you are is wrong.. This is not a positive environment for building and constructing a strong community of faith. Faith in us as sinners and redemption. We love this community we just wish that leadership, loved us as well.

Our mission in my view, is to take its talents and gifts and share them with our community at large to live the mission of the Catholic Church through action. To build families who believe in our parish and spread the faith through action in the community. Living in the community in our faith. Living our faith in the community and not just throwing money at problems.

1. The parishioners are friendly and welcoming.

2. It is an active parish with many opportunities to get involved.

3. Father Shane is a good speaker and is good at promoting involvement opportunities and motivating participation.

1. Priests are spread too thin.

2. Getting more parishioners invloved with activities.

3. It is sometimes hard to schedule activities because all the available spaces are booked.

I don't understand this question. I don't believe any parish has a truly unique mission or ministry. However, I think we do have a few outreach ministries that other churches don't have, such as St. Vincent Depaul and Stephen Ministry.

1. A welcome atmosphere and safe place to worship reverently and peacefully. I feel it is a true House of God.
2. Memorable homilies that stay with me and impact my daily life and interaction with others.
3. An energy that cannot be described easily that emerges from the pastor and other priests that stimulates a call to action and promotes Catholic beliefs.

1. The involvement of school families in the church and how to increase it politely and secure “by in” to Catholic worship.
2. While the location adds to its charm, the property does not allow for much physical growth.
3. There does not seem to be much interest in the parish being involved with the school and vice versa for example there are things happening at the school. I have never heard about. It seems they are too very different worlds.

Facilitate and encourage becoming closer to God not just on Sunday, but throughout our busy and complicated lives through daily interactions with Catholics and non-Catholics alike to improve the lives of all people.

The facilities are good. The priest is usually top notch. And the school is important to my future family planning.

In my mid 30s I don’t think you market to or do things to get me and people my age involved. The direction of the church feels catered to the older generations. While I admit the Catholic Church has done a better job than other organizations, the church still feels too conservative.

I don’t know how to answer this question. I understand what you’re asking, but I have no clue what the answer is.

Father Shayne is a wonderful pastor and leader.
The parish school is widely recognized as being one of the best in the Archdiocese.
The Clifton campus school has drawn new parishioners.

For a parish this size, I would expect to see more families at mass on the weekends.
The parish is landlocked, and parking is limited.
We need an associate pastor, as Father Shayne and Father Wayne cannot keep up with the demands of Holy Trinity and St. Francis of Rome.

The parish strives to get more members and families involved.

The vitality of the school
The church and school campus/physical plant
The sense of community

Declining church attendance
Church music program
Frequent "asks" for money

Provide a welcoming environment for parishioners and guests to worship God and provide a Christ-centered school.

Homilies by both priests are strong and meaningful, and challenges us to live a better life and to know that God is always present.

The parish community is friendly and welcoming.

Liturgies are enhanced with a choir singing hymns that always apply to the Mass being celebrated on that day.

I have not been in the parish long enough to answer this question.

I think the mission is to offer programs which enhance our faith and to be welcoming to everyone.

1) School ministry & preforming arts (especially Michelle Harrington)
2) Financial stability
3) Senior & Health ministries

1) Lack of priests (Serving both Holy trinity & St. Frances of Rome)
2) Getting younger people involved
3) Mass times

1) School involvement
2) financial ability
3) St. Vincent DePaul society involvement

Centrally located in St Matthews
Active parish - many groups to participate
Good Community

Low participation rates based on the numbers...members not ALL engaged.
IF...these folks attended church...it would be crowded
Families participate during school years...then move away

I think we are a parish that truly cares for others...using the time honored pledge of Time, Talent and Treasure. We are a wealthy parish but do back it up with participation on all 3 fronts.

Sense of community; all ages are included in multiple activities, committees
In times of need, whatever the needs of parishioners are, there is always a sincere and strong support from other parishioners
There seems to be a genuine feeling that our parish is growing and improving with the current needs of the parish as a whole, which includes variety of activities offered, school activities and programs, programs for all ages of the parish, outreach opportunities

It seems that some parishioners are intimidated by the size of our parish/school. I feel like any size is manageable and can be positive if people are involved and programs/groups are reflected upon and reevaluated periodically. Size shouldn't matter if good people are working with good intentions.
Talking about money is always a focus of our parishioners, so openness and honesty will help with this. Needs of the parish should be addressed emphasizing priorities stated by parishioners who have taken the time to express their opinions in the correct manner as opposed to comments that are made to the wrong persons.
With the number of students and families listed as parishioners, it would be nice to see Mass attendance reflect the numbers.
Perhaps Athletic Teams, and Academic Teams/clubs sponsor or help with masses. Maybe match up grade levels with masses periodically.

Pray/Study/Serve
Involvement for all ages and demographics. Parishioners are involved but more, fresh faces can certainly participate.

1. Volunteering. Our PTA, room parents, and number of volunteers for every event is wonderful.
2. Youth group for high school students.
3. Opportunities to serve the community through the parish. Thank you to Ashely Davenport for sending service opportunities for families over the summer months.

1. Size. We have so many kids in our parish, we can't serve those that we have in the most meaningful way. Losing green spaces to extra parking lots, driving all over town to practice sports instead of being able to practice at our own school, not having capacity for all kids who desire after school care are just a few ways our size seems too large.
2. Lack of feeling of community.

"To whom much is given, much will be required." Father Mark taught us this years ago and I believe this is our unique mission and ministry- to use our blessings to help those in the community who are less fortunate.

Location, history, access to "flashy" things (technology, sports, etc)

1. It's size. The school is just way too big. There are way too many students in each class. It is not fair to the teachers or to the students. 2. The administration: while we are hopeful a new principal will bring about change, you have an assistant principal that seems miserable and does not work well with parents. Additionally, the previous principal gave people jobs they just weren't qualified for (ex. both directors of student achievement). 3. changing the culture from entitled parents/students to one where the administration and families work together.

Our family was attracted to Holy Trinity Parish School (not Holy TrinityCatholic School because of its community and its academic success. The school leadership within Holy Trinity excelled, but most importantly believed our students could excel. It was a family where all were welcome-/this is what brought us to Holy Trinity. Now, it’s about bank accounts, and that exclusively. Within the school community, people are allowed to treat different classes of children with a class system. This was not how my oldest son was allowed to treat his classmates.

First challenge is that certain privileges are given to certain people, who are allowed to treat other students without consideration of Catholic values.

We have lost a principal who lead us through significant academic success and that is in jeopardy

Lack of true parental involvement where they are part of the decision making. .

The academic success and quality of teaching is without a doubt the best in the city. Offering advanced math and other services to bring children to their highest level of success. We are on the verge of losing this and it is concerning.

I don't have any children or grandchildren in the school so I don't have any experiences or insights related to it.

1. A strong reputation for academic excellence.
2. Genuine pastoral support of the school and a desire to improve Catholic identity.
3. Service minded teaching to help empower students to think outside themselves.

1. Affluence can breed a sense of self reliance and division.
2. Majority of school families do not appear to come to Sunday Mass regularly. How best to evangelize parents
3. A reputation of poor behavior from some of our sports teams/parents

Two campuses that provide access for all levels of learning as well as accessibility for physical disabilities.

Excellent academic reputation.
Excellent athletic programs.
Sibling discounts.

Many parents would rather donate money than volunteer their time.
A few teachers (particularly in junior high) are less than desirable.
As the enrollment has grown, it makes all-school activities and events almost too difficult to plan/host.

The quality of education
The extracurriculars offered to students
The opportunities for parents/familes to be involved in the school

Pay for teachers
Teacher turnover
Behavior in the classroom

I love that any and every activity a child wants to do is available at HT - from sports, to art, to theater, to music. The community is so fortunate to have all of this in one location.

1) Outreach to the community (Ashley Davenport)
2) Theater program (Michelle Harrington & School)
3) Senior Program (Penny Gleason)& Health Ministries (Allyson Skaggs)

1) Large class sizes
2) large enrollment
3)Gym size

1) The excellent theater program & theater facility
2) The school academic excellence
3) Their involvement in community programs

Our kids are out of school now...

The traditions of the school attracts alumnae to join the parish because of the education and community experiences.
Academically graduates from HTS are extremely well prepared for high school and life as young adults. The students have a good reputation around Louisville as good young people.
The Service Projects and Activities required for students is immeasurable, our children have opportunities to experience very diverse activities and real life projects. These experiences are very easily transferred to their lives as young adults, and as parents/parishioners.

It seems that some parishioners are intimidated by the size of our parish/school. I feel like any size is manageable and can be positive if people are involved and programs/groups are reflected upon and reevaluated periodically. Size shouldn't matter if good people are working with good intentions.
With the number of students and families listed as parishioners, it would be nice to see Mass attendance reflect the numbers.
Perhaps Athletic Teams, and Academic Teams/clubs sponsor or help with masses. Maybe match up grade levels with masses periodically.

The community feeling is very strong at HTS. We've experienced this for 30+ years as our family began, grew, and has expanded to grandchildren.

1. Academics
2. Multiple extracurricular opportunities
3. Sports (For those who are good at sports. The downside to this is that kids who are not as good at sports feel "less than" in a school that is so wrapped up in athletics).

1. Size. Class sizes are too big. More than 25 children in a classroom seems overwhelming for the teachers. In each of my children's grades, the classes that are smaller seem to have happier students with fewer behavior issues. The large classes (close to 30 kids per class and 3 class per grade level) don't have a cohesive feel and the interpersonal problems between students seem to be more.

2. Teaching social-emotional learning. This seems to be an area with immense area for improvement. The friendzy curriculum does not seem to be working. I'm not sure if it is a different program, more time, or different people teaching this program, but teaching our kids about self-esteem, respecting others, mindfulness, and making responsible decisions is equally important to teaching other subjects.

3. Math/advanced placement. Placing kids on an advanced track in 5th grade seems very young and the majority of kids on the advanced tract are boys because it is determined by math scores only. There are plenty of bright children who do not excel in math.

4. Technology/screen time. We rely too much on screens in the classroom and for homework. Writing boosts memory and attention in a way that taking notes on a laptop or doing math problems on a computer does not.

5. Homework. There is a lot of busy work for younger kids. It makes me sad to see my 1st grader sitting at home struggling to get homework done when the weather is beautiful and he/she should be outside playing with the rest of the neighborhood friends. Do we really need homework before 5th grade? Does it improve outcomes?