The chosen process, "appreciative inquiry," was not a simple survey, but an in-depth qualitative inquiry. The Committee conducted three sessions of Interviews: 101 Community, 56 Parish, 34 Junior and Senior High School from the invited total membership of the Community and the Parish. Compared to the Diocese's experience in other parishes, St. Malachi had significantly above-average participation; the overall response coverage was very high.

The Steering Committee condensed the interviews into 21 pages of detailed summaries in eight topic areas. The Council Presidents distributed those to Councils, Ministries, and Staff so they could be familiar with them. The full interview transcripts are also available for review by Councilors, task groups, Parish or Community members, or anyone interested.

The Committee then distilled these "Proposed Directional Statements" and presented them to the Councils of St. Malachi Parish and the Community of St. Malachi on 21 January 2001 at a joint meeting of both Councils. The Steering Committee facilitators helped Council Presidents lead the Councilors in reviewing the Statements.

The Council of the Community of St. Malachi overwhelmingly accepted these "Directional Statements" on 6 February. The St. Malachi Parish Council unanimously accepted these Statements on 7 February.

These "Directional Statements" are
the combined prophetic voice of all the people of St. Malachi.
This is their vision of the future of St. Malachi.