19 September 2000

 
TO:                          Saint Henry Parish Council                        .
         Henry Darder                L. J. Doucet           Lou Garriga
         Gina Mannino               Janice Menard       Tony Milazzo
         Steve Obernuefemann   Chris Penning        Cathy Riley

FROM:  Jerry Mambretti

SUBJECT: Assessment Committee Recommendations

On 6 January 2000, a group of selected members of Saint Henry Parish initiated the Saint Henry Parish Assessment Committee.  The task of this committee was to
    1) gather information concerning the current and future needs of the parish,
    2) develop short-term and long-term suggestions to best facilitate these needs, and
    3) present suggestions outlining the directional development necessary to minimize the needs of the parish.

In accomplishing its task, the Saint Henry Assessment Committee addressed the following principle parish issues:
    1) sacramental needs of the parish,
    2) formation of the parish for both adults and youth, and
    3) social needs of the parish.
 
To assemble the wide range of information needed, the committee was subdivided into 4 subcommittees: Parish Comparison, Demographics, Current Standings, and Mission Statement.  Information included in this committee's assessment included:
    1) available information from the diocese and other parishes (i. e., bulletins, visitations, and recent surveys),
    2) demographics (i. e., chamber of commerce, schools, census, surveys),
    3) current standing of the parish (i. e., buildings, land, existing committees and respective memberships), and
    4) the development of a parish mission statement.

Based on its findings, the Assessment Committee respectfully recommends the following for consideration by Saint Henry's Parish Council:

1) Saint Henry Parish should be proactive in providing needed infrastructure required in meeting the challenges of its mission statement.  The Texas State Data Center projects a rapid growth in population for the State of Texas and Orange County communities, as does the Texas Water Development Board for Bridge City.  Proportionately, Saint Henry’s youth education classes are also projected for similar growth over the next few decades.  This anticipated growth should generate economic, cultural, and spiritual vitality.  Such growth and vitality will increasingly challenge this parish in its mission to provide parishioners with the essential task of spiritual enhancement through adult and youth education.

2) Saint Henry’s Directors of Education have expressed significant concerns for our education facilities.  Since most options to transform a 22-year-old parish hall (that had a life expectancy of about 20 years) into an education building have been exhausted, this committee recommends this parish should replace its inadequate education building.  A new building should be built as to meet the present and future needs of our youth and adults.  This committee recommends a structure that includes adequate storage space, restroom accommodations, and meets American Disability Act standards.  Recognizing economic realities, the longer the parish delays in replacing its education building, the more expensive such a project will cost.  In addition, separate furnishing should be obtained for 1st-6th and 7th-12th grade groups.
 
3) The Assessment Committee also noted needs associated with the main church building that include, but not limited to re-upholstering the pews, re-carpeting covered floors, and incorporating a day chapel.  Some minor maintenance needs associated with the activity building included addressing developing rust on its southwest corner due to an air conditioner leak.

4) Future parish improvements should include refurbishing the rectory building to include adequate pastor living quarters, parish offices, and separate offices for our deacons.
 
 May God bless you and our parish.  As we move into the new millennium, our parish should realize new growth, as we have enjoyed over the past several years.  We pray God will continue to bless our parish and that we, as a parish, will be effective in meeting the challenges of serving the changing needs of our community.
 

 
                                                                  .
JERRY MAMBRETTI
Chairman, Parish Assessment Committee

cc: Saint Henry Parish Assessment Committee
James Ainsworth
Russel Dillow - Chairperson, Current Status
Sherry DuPre
Diane Findley - Chairperson, Parish Comparison
Marilyn Goeddertz
Everett Langford
H. N. "Mo" Litton
Sam Lucia - Chairperson, Mission Statement
Gina Mannino
Forrest Overstreet
Bethanie Penning - Chairperson, Demographics