Disciple Maker Index Survey Results

We are His Witnesses: Survey Results

My thanks again to all our parishioners who completed the Discipleship Maker Survey. As previously communicated, we had a participation rate of 42% based on an average weekly attendance of 500 parishioners. Our parish participation rate was well above the Archdiocese’s rate of 29% and in line with parishes of a similar size.

I, together with a small team of parishioners, have reviewed the results and have identified several opportunities to strengthen our parish. Overall, I was not surprised by the results and they in large part consistent with the results of our Synod on Synodality and our own subsequent parish surveys. Given the similarity of the results, many of the initiatives we have undertaken or are underway directly respond to the opportunities highlighted by the survey while highlighting additional areas needing attention.

Below are highlights from the DMI Survey together with our planned responses. Our next step is to create detailed action plans, assign responsibilities and target dates to implement these planned responses. We expect to have these detailed plans available by August 31st so we can begin implementation in the Fall.

As we start to engage with other parishes as part of the “We are His Witnesses” program, we may refine our plans and add new actions that are responsive to insights gained from our cross-parish discussions.

I am committed to keeping you informed on a regular basis regarding the status of this Archdiocesan program as well as our parish specific activities. I ask for your continuing prayers and support as we strive to strengthen our Immaculate Heart of Mary parish.

Peace, Fr. Mike


DMI Survey Results


Demographics

Key stats based on 206 respondents:

+ 89% of our parishioners have been members for 6 years or more.
+ 66% more than 20 years.
+ 75% are married.
+ 38% male; 62% female.
+ 40% are 25 or younger.
+ 19% have school children
+ 43% contribute financially less than $2,500, 20% less than $1,000 annually and
+ 23% opted not to respond.

Insights & Response

Insights

1. We need to focus on creating a multigenerational community and inviting young adults and young families to become more active in our community. We do not have ministries that are specifically designed to cater to these younger demographics.

2. Funding of our parish operating, capital and other infrastructure expenses has been borne by a relatively small % of parishioners. While not reflected in the survey, there remains a high % of parishioners who do not contribute to the parish on a regular basis. This limits our ability to offer a full menu of services designed to help all grow closer to our Lord and His Blessed Mother. Examples include a robust community outreach program, expanded faith formation programs and greater utilization of technology.

Response

1. New Ministries: We will create new ministries for Young Adults and Young Families. We will identify and invite participants from these respective groups to help design and lead these ministries whose goal is to be responsive to the communal and spiritual needs of these groups. Evaluate existing faith formation programs to ensure both groups are being effectively supported including consideration of small faith sharing groups to foster community and mutual faith sharing.

2. Funding: To enable our Church to grow, additional investment in new programs is needed. To fund these programs (e.g., community outreach) the Finance Council will be tasked with improving our available operating funds while being careful not to place additional demands on those who are particularly generous.

Regular and generous contributors have enabled us to operate in a fiscally sound manner up to now.

Strengths & Opportunities

The Survey highlighted the following strengths and opportunities. These were determined based on the % of respondents who voted “Strongly Agree”. We have also provided the % of those who voted “Agree” and Neither Agree nor Disagree” options.

Our response is intended to move the parishioners in the “Agree” and “Neither agree or disagree” categories to “Strongly Agree”.

Strengths

1. Belief: Eucharist is the body/blood of Christ:
Strongly Agree-70%, Agree-15%, Neither Agree nor Disagree-8%.

2. Belief: Scripture is the word of God:
Strongly Agree- 66%, Agree-22%, Neither Agree nor Disagree-6%

3. Recommend Parish:
Strongly Agree-66%, Agree-25%, Neither Agree nor Disagree-7%

Insights & Response

Insights

1. It is great to see that 91% of our parishioners would recommend our parish to others. However, we need to be mindful that our registered parishioners far exceed the number of those who actively participate in parish life. This is the same case for most parishes. Our challenge is to convert our inactive parishioners to an active status.

2. Regarding Beliefs, there still appears to be room for improvement in understanding the tenets of our faith and creating an environment where those who have questions about their faith feel comfortable and are provided the forum(s) to seek answers to their questions.

Response

1. Continue our efforts to engage non-active parishioners through enhanced communication and direct personal invitations (e.g., call programs and other outreach).

2. Increase focus on faith formation, particularly the core tenets of our faith in both homilies, adult faith formation articles, retreats and other faith formation offerings.

Opportunities

Confidence in teachings:
Strongly Agree-23%, Agree-42%, Neither Agree nor Disagree- 28%

Forming as a Disciple:
Strongly Agree-34%, Agree-43%, Neither Agree nor Disagree-21%

Spiritual Growth via preaching:
Strongly Agree-36%, Agree-47%, Neither Agree nor Disagree-13%

Insights & Response

Insights

Fostering discipleship has been a key focus of our parish over the last 18months and while positive momentum has been achieved continuing focus is still needed. Efforts have included adoption of a new mission statement emphasizing discipleship, elevating awareness about the characteristics of a disciple and continuing focus in homilies on our call to discipleship. Additionally, a programmatic approach has been underway to foster a discipleship culture in our many ministries. Specifically, a focus on continuous improvement through the conduct of self-evaluations, incremental changes to enable growth, efforts to strengthen the faith of current members as well as attracting new members. While our Strongly Agree % is above the Archdiocese’s average, we recognize we need to improve communication with our parishioners on the many efforts underway and to encourage their engagement in our ministries and parish life in general.

Supporting parishioners’ spiritual growth while robust clearly requires more attention. Despite our many faith formation offerings and our ministries focus on spiritual growth of its members, our % of Agree and Neither Agree nor Disagree of over 60%. Two areas of results stand out that warrant attention are: my parish prepares me to have conversations about my faith and the homilies help me connect my faith with my everyday life.

Response

Fostering a Discipleship Culture- we will continue our efforts that are underway to strengthen our ministries and continue to emphasize the importance of discipleship during homilies and other opportunities. We will design a communication strategy to better inform our parishioners on the many initiatives underway and encourage active participation through direct invitation. We will also develop a program to enable parishioners to have conversations about their faith with family, friends and others.

Spiritual Growth- we will undertake a comprehensive review of all faith formation programs to identify potential improvements in existing offerings as well as potential new offerings that might be needed. Consideration will also be given when developing homilies to stress and clarify the core tenets of our faith and the connectivity of our faith to our everyday life. Additionally, liturgical celebrations will be added to our Church calendar to provide greater opportunities to encounter Our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

Catholic Good News Ministries Interview with John McGuire

On this episode of Footsteps to Heaven Terry Modica talks with John McGuire Director of Life Long Faith Formation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Scotch Plains, NJ. They discuss what it means to be a smuggler of the Good News and ways to engage young men in parish life.

This video is produced by Good News Ministries, the Catholic center for daily growth in Christ. Good News Ministries is dedicated to helping you know the victorious love of Jesus Christ, the personal, doting love of God the Father, and the empowering love of the Holy Spirit.

Subscribe to our channel and stay connected with us to receive more faith-builders. Also, as censorship becomes more prevalent, make sure you don't miss out on anything: Subscribe to our videos on our website https://gnm-media.org.

WE ARE HIS WITNESSES

A Letter from Cardinal Tobin

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The peace of Christ our Redeemer be with you. I write to you today as a witness to your deep faith, your love for the Church, and the vibrant diversity that makes our Archdiocese a sign of hope.

Yet, the realities we face as a Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Newark are both urgent and undeniable: parish membership, Mass attendance, and sacramental participation have declined. The number of priests to serve as pastors is decreasing. And still, the population of our region continues to grow, offering new and fertile ground for evangelization. I believe the Holy Spirit is inviting us to something new.

Today, I am announcing an archdiocesan initiative called We Are His Witnesses. This is not simply another program. It is a journey of renewal—one that asks each of us to discern, with courage, humility and faith where God is leading us. Together, we will reflect on three essential questions:

1. Where are we now?

2. Where is God calling us?

3. How will we get there together?

This effort will focus on how we evangelize, care for one another in our parishes, and ensure our parishes are strong and sustainable for the future. This process calls for an honest evaluation of current practices and structures. Some ministries will be renewed; some parish alignments may change. Over time, mergers or closures will be necessary. These conversations and decisions will not always be easy, but as members of one body—the Church – we will support one another throughout this journey.

To guide this effort, I have asked Bishop Michael Saporito and an Archdiocesan Planning Commission to collaborate with pastors and parish leaders across our four counties. But the success of this initiative depends on each one of us. I want to hear from you.

We have already begun by listening through a survey called the Disciples Maker Index — and we will continue listening in the months ahead. I invite you to be part of this journey. Learn more at WeAreHisWitnesses.org, where you’ll find a brief video message from me and updates on our progress.

My friends, we are not alone. We are His witnesses—called to proclaim the joy of the Gospel in a world that needs it more than ever. I ask you to join me in this sacred work. Let us walk forward in faith, guided by the Spirit, and united in hope.

May God bless you and your loved ones. Sincerely yours in Christ the Redeemer,

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.

Archbishop of Newark

Deacon Colm's First Mass & Reception 2025

Highlights from Deacon Colm's 1st Mass and After-Party at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Years of hard work has led to this moment. Congratulations Deacon Colm! We look forward to seeing you at the pulpit for many years to come. And a BIG THANKS to Geraldine for the photography and tasty treats at the reception!

Senior Afternoon Tea Party 2025

Thank you so much for all your help with the afternoon tea event, it went off perfectly!

Our guests had the best time, they really enjoyed the food and were happy to take a considerable amount home. The music though, really made this event super special. It was lovely to see everyone up dancing and having a great time. Our volunteers are truly amazing, they worked incredibly hard to help us pull this off, Regina, Katie, Michelle, Brenda, Margaret and Regina. A big thank you to Diane and Mary Frances for all their help and support. Special thanks to John and Kathy Adisano for the great music and all the extra little touches that made this event so wonderful.

Sincerely,

Geraldine and Jean

Here is a lovely letter written by some of our guests…

“Hello,
On behalf of the Fanwood Seniors Club members who attended the May 17th Afternoon Tea Party, thank you for your invitation and your hospitality at this event. Our members look forward to this tea party each year, and the refreshments and entertainment on Saturday did not disappoint - they were delightful and made for a lovely afternoon for all those in attendance. Thank you again for all that you do for seniors and others in the community, and best wishes for your future endeavors.

Kind regards,
Ethel Paoletti, Secretary
Fanwood Senior Citizens Club

Fanwood Community Foundation Visits the IHM Food Pantry

Thank you to Fanwood Community Foundation for stopping by the Food Pantry this week!!! They assembled the team to help distribute food and dropped off a HUGE donation. Look at the size of that check! It's bigger than MaryKate! The Food Pantry will be closed Wednesday 12/25 and Wednesday 1/1 for the Holidays. But we will be open every Wednesday from 10AM-11:30AM. And every 2nd Sunday of the month. Next Sunday Food Pantry is 1/12. Merry Christmas from The IHM Food Pantry and Fanwood Community Foundation.