January Parish Life Survey. Saint Paul Parish Macomb, Illinois

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1 January 2018 Parish Life Survey Saint Paul Parish Macomb, Illinois

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3 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC Parish Life Survey Saint Paul Parish Macomb, Illinois January 2018 Jonathon L. Wiggins, Ph.D. Florence Emurayeveya, EHJ, M.A.

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5 Table of Contents Executive Summary... 1 Introduction... 7 Interpreting This Report... 7 Section I: Demographic Characteristics of Respondents... 9 Age and Generation... 9 Gender and Marital Status Level of Education Employment Status Level of Household Income Section II: Religious Characteristics of Respondents Relationship to the Parish Religious Background Mass Time of Response Frequency of Mass Attendance Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation Participation in Parish Formation Programs Ministry and Activity Participation Section III: Assessment of Parish Life and Needs Evaluation of Aspects of Parish Life Evaluation of Persons and Programs Evaluation of Areas of Weekend Masses Evaluation of Parish Efforts Effectiveness of Ways of Communicating Evaluation of Parish Outreach Top Priorities for Parish Outreach Plans for Future Enrollment at the Parish School Reasons for Not Sending a Child to St. Paul School Priority for Parish Needs Willingness to Contribute Funds to Projects Importance of Religious Behaviors Reasons for Missing Mass Likelihood of Future Behaviors Personal Difficulties Attitudes about Parish Life Appendix I: Response Frequencies to All Questions... 88

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7 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Parish Life Survey Saint Paul Parish Macomb, Illinois Executive Summary The St. Paul Parish Life Survey was designed by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. Most of the questions were derived from CARA s database of nationally tested questions, with some questions designed specifically for the parish. The parish distributed the questionnaire to those attending its liturgies over one weekend in November In all, there were 366 valid responses, with an additional five respondents under age 16 not included in the analysis. Major findings can be summarized as follows: Demographic Characteristics The average age of valid respondents to the in-pew survey at St. Paul Parish is 54. Half are 58 or younger. CARA divides Catholics into four generations, reflective of the age categories used by many other social scientists. Four in ten St. Paul respondents belong to the Vatican II Generation, ages 57 to 74 in Some 58% of respondents to the survey are female and 42% are male. Two-thirds (68%) say they are currently married or remarried. Twenty percent have never married, 9% are widowed and 3% are divorced or separated. Thirteen percent have attained a high school diploma or less, 17% have attended some college or have an associate s degree, and 7 have a bachelor s or graduate degree. More than half (53%) report being self-employed or employed at least part time. A third (33%) identify as retired or semi-retired. Eight percent are either college or high school students. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents report total annual household incomes of less than $40,000. Three in ten (3) report incomes between $40,000 and $59,999. Nearly half (47%) have household incomes of $80,000 or more. 1

8 Religious Characteristics of Respondents More than eight in ten (85%) report both that the parish is their primary place of worship and that they are registered there. Some 7% identify the parish as their primary place of worship but say they are not registered there. Some 7% identify as visitors. Three in four (76%) say they were raised Catholic. Nearly nine in ten (86%) of those of the youngest generation, the Millennial Generation, were raised Catholic, compared to 68% of those of the oldest generation. Fully 95% report having received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Assessment of Parish Life and Needs Nine in ten (9) give St. Paul Parish overall a positive evaluation ( good and excellent combined). Just over a third (35%) rate it as excellent. Seven in ten rate efforts to invite them to participate in parish life as at least good. Some 22% give an excellent evaluation to such efforts. St. Paul School, children s religious education/formation, and the upkeep of parish facilities are especially likely to receive high priority from respondents. Half to seven-tenths give each very much priority. Between 9% and 21% report having at least some difficulty with the following: feeling depressed, grief and loss, drinking too much sometimes, and exploring their sexuality and identity. There are some differences by age, with 25% of those ages 16 to 19 saying they have very much difficulty with feeling depressed. Nearly all (97%) at least somewhat agree that they feel loved by God. Seventy-eight percent strongly agree that they do. At least three in four say the following are very important to them: developing their relationship with God (86%), being Catholic (79%), living their faith in their daily life (79%), attending Mass (78%), and passing on the faith to the next generation (76%). Leadership Seventy percent give a positive evaluation to the vision provided by parish leaders, with a quarter (26%) rating that vision as excellent. Half strongly agree they would feel comfortable talking with the pastor. Members of the oldest generation (77%) are particularly likely to strongly agree that they are comfortable doing so, with those of the second oldest generation, the Vatican II Generation (42%), least likely to strongly agree. 2

9 The leadership of the Parish Pastoral Council receives an excellent rating from 25% of respondents. Some 27% strongly agree that council members are accessible to them. Responding parishioners were asked how effective six different ways of communicating parish news are. The ways most often rated as very effective are those most related to weekend Mass attendance: the Sunday bulletins (62%) and the announcements read at Mass (5). Among the electronic means of communicating, (39%) is most likely to be seen as very effective, followed by the parish website (22%). Worship Weekend Masses in general receive a positive evaluation from more than nine in ten respondents. Some 48% rate them as excellent. Seven in ten (7) give a positive evaluation to the music in general at the parish. Just over a quarter (27%) give it an excellent rating. The sound clarity during Mass receives an excellent rating from 29% respondents. The younger respondents are, the more likely they are to give it an excellent evaluation; some 52% of the youngest generation rate it as excellent, compared to 11% of the oldest generation. Nearly two in three (64%) attend Mass at least once a week and another 3 attend almost every week. Mass attendance varies some by generation, with those of the older generations (87%) most likely to attend at least once a week and those of the youngest generation (45%) least likely. Nearly nine in ten (86%) say they are very likely to attend Mass at least once a week in the next year. Among those reporting that they attend Mass less than weekly at present, 67% report being very likely to do so. Catholics who say they have missed Mass in the last six months are especially likely to cite the following reasons: their out-of-town travels (53%), their busy schedules or lack of time (27%), and their health problems or disabilities (25%). Members of the oldest generation (52%) are most likely to cite health problems or disabilities, with those of the youngest generation (37%) most likely to cite their busy schedules or lack of time. Forty-five percent report being very likely to go to Confession in the next year. Some 67% of those of the oldest generation say they are likely to do so, compared to 37%-46% of the other generations. Efforts to foster parishioners personal prayer life receive an excellent rating from 29% of respondents. 3

10 Nearly a quarter (23%) give very much priority to the parish providing more small group prayer opportunities. Sense of Community The sense of community within the parish receives a positive rating from 76% of respondents. A quarter (25%) give it an excellent rating. Being part of a parish community is at least somewhat important to 92% of respondents. Sixty-two percent say it is very important to them. Social activities and opportunities to meet new people receive very much priority from 31% of respondents. Formation Parish efforts to educate parishioners in the faith receive a positive evaluation from 77% of respondents, with 28% giving these efforts an excellent rating. Efforts to nurture one s relationship with Jesus Christ receive an excellent rating from 3 of respondents. Children s religious education programs receive an excellent rating from 26%, with 17% giving as high a rating to youth ministry. Sacramental preparation programs for children and youth receive as high an evaluation from 34%. Some 36% evaluate the RCIA process (for adults entering the Church) as excellent. Forty-three percent place very much priority on adult faith formation. Parish School St. Paul School receives a positive evaluation from 94%. Half (51%) give it an excellent rating. Seven in ten (69%) say the parish should give very much priority to St. Paul School. Thirty-seven percent of those with children ages 10 and younger say they plan to enroll their child in St. Paul School in the next five years. 4

11 Respondents who have school age children who did not send them to St. Paul School were asked why. The two most common reasons given are financial considerations or tuition costs (63%) and the high quality of the local public school (59%). Fewer listed the lack of specialized care (26%) or the quality of education at the parish school (15%). Stewardship Parish efforts to encourage parishioners to share their time, talents and treasure with the parish receive a positive evaluation from 75% of respondents. Some 29% rate these efforts as excellent. Four in ten (39%) indicate they are very likely to volunteer for a parish ministry in the next year. Four in ten (42%) are not involved with any ministries or activities at the parish. Nearly two in ten (18%) are involved with one and involved with two or more. Sixty-eight percent agree strongly that they contribute financially to the parish. Between 69% and 87% of the three oldest generations strongly agree that they do so, compared to of Millennials. Facilities and Construction Projects Between 58% and 66% give at least somewhat priority to construction of a new parish hall and construction of an addition to the school. A third (32%) give very much priority to the construction of a new parish hall with 24% giving as much priority to construction of an addition to the school. Two in three (68%) agree at least somewhat that they would help support a building campaign. Just over a third (36%) strongly agree that they would. The higher the total household incomes respondents report, the more likely they are to strongly agree that they would help support a building campaign. Responding parishioners were asked for which of three parish needs they would be willing to contribute funds in the near future. About seven in ten report being willing to contribute to updating the current school campus (72%) and to a new parish hall (68%). Some 45% are willing to contribute to an addition to the school. The higher the total household incomes respondents report, the more likely they are to report being willing to contribute to each of the projects. 5

12 Evangelization and Parish Outreach Efforts to spread the Gospel/evangelize receive a positive rating from 64% respondents. Some 18% give these efforts an excellent rating. When asked to evaluate parish outreach to 14 groups, respondents are most likely to give an excellent rating to outreach to children (27%), caretakers of the sick or homebound (24%), senior citizens (23%), pre-school age children (22%), and families (21%). They are least likely to give the same high rating to outreach to inactive Catholics (8%), young adults (11%), single young adults (11%), and married young adults (11%). Respondents were asked to choose the top three groups to which the parish should give high priority for outreach. The most commonly selected group is teens (49%), followed by young adults (37%), families (34%), and inactive Catholics (31%). Eighteen percent give an excellent rating to the parish s outreach to new parishioners. Some 24% rate parish efforts to cooperate with non-catholic churches as excellent. Parish efforts to strengthen family life receive an excellent evaluation from 17%. Social Justice Outreach to and advocacy for those in need receives a positive rating from 74% of respondents. Some 23% rate these efforts as excellent. Promoting the sacredness of human life receives very much priority from 46% of respondents, with giving as much priority to promoting peace and justice opportunities. 6

13 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Parish Life Survey Saint Paul Parish Macomb, Illinois Introduction The St. Paul Parish Life Survey was designed by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. Most of the questions were derived from CARA s database of nationally tested questions, with some questions designed specifically for the parish. The parish distributed the questionnaire to those attending its liturgies over one weekend in November In all, there were 366 valid responses, with an additional five respondents under age 16 not included in the analysis. Following standard assumptions of statistical inference, a sample size of 366 provides a margin of error of approximately ±5.1 percentage points. 1 Interpreting This Report Most of the questions in this survey use four point response scales ( not at all, only a little, somewhat, very much ; or poor, fair, good, excellent ). These scales allow half of the responses to be interpreted as relatively more negative ( poor and fair, for example) and half as relatively more positive ( good and excellent, for example). In parts of the analysis in this report, these responses are combined to allow for clearer comparisons. However, as examining the most positive response also distinguishes important contrasts in level of support, the extreme highest responses are presented as well. In addition, readers may also wish to compare the difference between the two extreme responses, say poor and excellent, to compare the level of intensity with which opposing opinions are held. These comparisons and others may be drawn by referring to the actual percentage responses given in Appendix I. That appendix shows the percentage responses for each item, calculated out of, as well as the percentage of all respondents that did not respond to each question, separately calculated out of for clarity of comparison. In addition to summarizing the responses to most questions for respondents as a whole, the report also compares the responses of those from selected subgroups. The first two sections of the report describes the characteristics of the respondents as well as the subgroups that are used in the 1 Strictly speaking, it is necessary to know the total population (in this case, the total number of adult parishioners) to calculate margin of error. CARA s standard assumption for its in-pew parish surveys is that about half of parishioners are represented. For obvious reasons, those who are represented in a given in-pew survey are disproportionately more frequent Mass attenders. 7

14 analyses that follow. Throughout the report, the tables and charts that compare differences between and among these various subgroups are presented following the responses for parishioners as a whole in each section. The margin of error for differences between subgroups, such as the differences among those of different generations or those with different levels of involvement, depends on the size of the subgroups being compared. Unless otherwise noted, all subgroup differences described in the graphs of this report are statistically significant: that is, they pass standard tests of statistical inference and can be considered to be real differences. In some instances, differences between or among subgroups that are not statistically significant are also noted. These differences should be treated as merely suggestive of real differences that may exist between the subgroups under consideration. CARA regularly conducts parish surveys through its Parish Life Surveys. Parish Life Surveys are a series of dynamic survey instruments for pastoral planning, including survey data collection, analyses of key stakeholders and demographic groups, and user-friendly reports and products. From the aggregate data collected through the Parish Life Survey services over the past 15 years, CARA has a database of characteristics of parish life gathered from more than 900 parishes nationwide. While this database is not a random sample of parishes, and therefore not necessarily representative of all parishes nationwide, it is the most comprehensive source of data of its kind and covers a broad range of topics important to vibrant parish life. In this report, where possible, results from St. Paul Parish s current Parish Life Survey are compared to the aggregate responses from the Parish Life Survey National Database of Parish Life to put the parish results into a larger national context. Additionally, where available, comparisons are made to findings from a 2012 study of Catholics in-pew at 23 parishes across the country. Finally, comparisons are made to findings from CARA s nationally representative surveys of adult self-identified Catholics conducted since For all of these comparisons, only differences of ten percentage points or more are treated as meaningful. The results of this survey fairly represent the characteristics and attitudes of people ages 16 and older who attend Mass at St. Paul Parish. It cannot be used to make inferences about populations outside of Mass attendees at the parish; it is not representative of those who do not attend Mass or those who are only involved in parish functions excluding Mass. 8

15 Section I: Demographic Characteristics of Respondents This section of the report includes demographic and other descriptive data for the 366 valid respondents to this survey. These data may be helpful in considering who responded to the survey, which populations are represented in the data, and characteristics of those attending Mass on a typical weekend at the parish. Age and Generation Valid respondents at St. Paul Parish surveyed in 2017 were born between 1925 and The average age of respondents is 54, with half saying they are 58 or younger. Although not directly comparable as the national data comes from 2012, this is higher than the median age of 49 among all self-identified Catholics nationally. 1 The most common age ranges reported are 55 to 64 and 65 to 74. Age in 2017, Compared to Catholics Nationally Age Range St. Paul Catholics In Pew Nationally* Catholics Nationally** 18-24*** 1 4% 9% or older *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study **Source: CARA s 2012 Media Use study ***For comparison purposes, 16 year olds (four respondents) and 17 year olds (five respondents) are omitted from this table Overall, St. Paul respondents report somewhat similar age ranges to those responding inpew nationally. Some 27% of St. Paul respondents are under age 45 compared to 33% of Catholics in pew nationally. They differ significantly from Catholics nationally. Some 27% of St. Paul respondents are under age 45 compared to 46% of Catholics nationally. 1 Source: Mark M. Gray, and Mary L. Gautier Catholic New Media Use in the United States,

16 Important differences between groups in parishes are typically found among those who belong to different generations. CARA divides Catholics into four generations, reflective of the age categories used by many other Catholic researchers. The most common generation among St. Paul respondents is the Vatican II Generation (41%), followed by the Post-Vatican II Generation (27%). Together, these two generations account for two-thirds of all respondents at the parish. Millennial 64 19% Generations Number and percentage Pre-Vatican II 42 13% Post-Vatican II 90 27% Vatican II % The Pre-Vatican II Generation, ages 75 and over in 2017: The Pre-Vatican II Generation was born in 1942 or earlier. Its members came of age before the Second Vatican Council. Members of the Pre-Vatican II Generation make up 13% of the respondents at St. Paul Parish. This is in between the percentage among Catholics in-pew nationally (18%) and the percentage among Catholics nationally (1). The Vatican II Generation, ages in 2017: These are the Baby Boomers who were born between 1943 and 1960, a time of great demographic and economic growth. They came of age during the time of the Second Vatican Council and their formative years likely spanned that time of profound changes in the Church. Members of the Vatican II Generation at St. Paul Parish represent 41% of respondents. This is higher than the percentage among Catholics in-pew nationally (35%) and the percentage among Catholics nationally (32%). The Post-Vatican II Generation, ages in 2017: Born between 1961 and 1981, this generation, sometimes called Generation X or Baby Busters by demographers, has no lived experience of the pre-vatican II Church. Some 27% of those at St. Paul Parish are members of this generation. This is less than the percentage among Catholics in-pew nationally (39%) and the percentage among Catholics nationally (38%). 10

17 The Millennial Generation, ages in 2017: This generation, born in 1982 or later (up to 1996 among adults), has come of age primarily under the papacies of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Because some still live with their parents, their religious practice is often closely related to that of their families of origin. Some 19% of respondents at St. Paul Parish belong to the Millennial Generation. This is higher than the percentage among Catholics inpew nationally (8%) but identical to the percentage among Catholics nationally (19%). Generation, Compared to Catholics Nationally St. Paul Catholics In Pew Nationally* Catholics Nationally** Generations Pre-Vatican II (born 1942 or earlier) 13% 18% 1 Vatican II (born 1943 to 1960) Post-Vatican II (born 1961 to 1981) Millennial (born 1982 to 2000) *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study **Source: CARA s 2012 Media Use study These four generations will be used for comparisons throughout the rest of the report. 11

18 Gender and Marital Status Nearly six in ten respondents identify as female (58%). This is slightly less than Catholics nationally in pew (64%) but higher than the percentage of self-identified Catholics nationally identifying as female (51%). Gender, Compared to Catholics Nationally Percentage responding St. Paul Catholics In Pew Nationally* Catholics Nationally** Female 58% 64% 51% Male *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study **Source: CARA s 2012 Media Use study Seven in ten (69%) of respondents are currently married or remarried. Two in ten (19%) have never married, about one in 20 (4%) is divorced or separated, and one in ten (9%) is widowed. Divorced 12 3% Separated 1 <1% Marital Status Number and percentage Widowed 31 9% Single, never married 63 18% Engaged to be married 2 1% Married % Divorced and remarried 8 2% Unmarried, cohabiting 1 <1% Widowed and remarried 2 1% 12

19 Marital status at the parish is compared to the national data in the table below. The percentage married or remarried at St. Paul Parish (69%) is similar to the percentage among Catholics in-pew nationally (7) and slightly higher than the percentage among Catholics nationally (62%). Marital Status, Compared to Catholics Nationally Percentage responding Marital Status St. Paul Catholics In Pew Nationally* Catholics Nationally** Never married*** 19% 15% 24% Married or remarried**** Divorced or separated Widowed *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study **Source: CARA s 2012 Media Use study ***The Media Use study includes those responding living with a partner. Those at St. Paul responding single, never married, engaged to be married, and unmarried, cohabiting are included here. ****Includes both those divorced and remarried as well as those widowed and remarried. Some 19% have never married, compared to about one in seven in-pew Catholics nationally (15%) and a quarter of adult Catholics nationally (24%). Four percent are divorced or separated, compared to almost one in ten Catholics in pew (8%) and nationally (9%). Some 9% St. Paul respondents overall have been widowed, compared to about one in 20 of those in pew (7%) and nationally (5%). 13

20 Differences by Generation Marital status differs by generation. Members of the Millennial Generation are particularly likely to have never married (73%); those of the Vatican II and Post-Vatican II Generations are most likely to be currently married (86% and 85%, respectively); and those of the Pre-Vatican II Generation are most likely to be widowed (51%). Marital Status, by Generation Percentage responding Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial Single, never married 5% 4% 9% 69% Engaged to be married Unmarried, cohabiting Widowed and remarried Divorced and remarried Married Separated* Divorced Widowed *The one respondent identifying as separated did not respond to the question of year of birth. 14

21 Level of Education Just over one in ten (12%) has a high school diploma or less. Another one in six (17%) has attended some college or has an associate s degree. Seventy-one percent report having a bachelor s or graduate degree. Graduate degree % Level of Education Number and percentage Some high school or less 10 3% High school diploma 32 9% Some college 45 13% Bachelor's degree 96 28% Associate's degree 15 4% 15

22 In comparison to those responding in pew nationally, St. Paul respondents are more likely to have a bachelor s or graduate degree (53% compared to 71%) and less likely to have a high school diploma or less (19% compared to 12%). Compared to Catholics nationally, St. Paul respondents are considerably more likely to have a bachelor s or graduate degree (27% compared to 71%) and considerably less likely to have a high school diploma or less (47% compared to 12%). Level of Education, Compared to Catholics Nationally Percentage responding Level of Education St. Paul Catholics In Pew Nationally* Some high school or less 3% 5% High school diploma 9 14 Some college Associate s degree 4 9 Bachelor s degree Graduate degree Catholics Nationally** }47% }26 }27 *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study **Source: CARA s 2012 Media Use study Differences by Generation Level of education differs by generation. Members of the Pre-Vatican II Generation are particularly likely to have a high school diploma (32%), with those of the Post-Vatican II Generation most likely to have a graduate degree (63%). Four in ten Millennials have some college or less; as will be presented in the next section, more than a third of this generation identify as college students at present. Level of Education, by Generation Percentage responding Level of Education Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial Some high school or less 16% High school diploma Some college Associate s degree Bachelor s degree Graduate degree

23 Employment Status Some 53% report being employed, either full time (), part time (7%), or as selfemployed (6%). A third (33%) identify as retired (31%) or semi-retired (2%). One in 20 or less identify as a college student (6%), homemaker (4%), or high school student (2%). One percent or less are unemployed (1%), members of the military (1%), or volunteers (<1%). Which best describes your employment status? Percentage responding Employed full time Retired 31 Employed part time 7 Self-employed 6 College student 6 Homemaker 4 Semi-retired 2 High school student 2 Unemployed 1 Member of the military 1 Volunteer <1 Other <1 Among those identifying an other employment status, three respondents wrote in grad students/assistants and one wrote in being Active Guard.. 17

24 Differences by Generation Employment status differs by generation. Members of the Pre-Vatican II Generation are particularly likely to be retired (93%) or semi-retired (5%), with those of the Post-Vatican II Generation most likely to be employed full time (77%), part time (1), or self-employed (6%). Altogether, more than four in ten Millennials are either college students (35%) or high school students (9%). Employment Status, by Generation Percentage responding Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial Employed full time 34% 77% 28% Employed part time Self-employed Unemployed Semi-retired Retired Homemaker Member of the military Volunteer High school student College student Other

25 Level of Household Income St. Paul respondents were asked to identify the category that best described their total annual household incomes, including all of those living with them. Nearly a quarter (23%) report household incomes of less than $40,000 and another three in ten report having between $40,000 and $79,999. Nearly half (47%) say their household income is $80,000 or more. Annual Household Income Number and percentage Less than $20, $100,000 or above % $20,000-$39, % $80,000 or more 36 12% $40,000-$59, % $60,000-$79, % Differences by Generation Members of the Post-Vatican II Generation () are particularly to report incomes of $100,000 or above. More than six-tenths of those of the Pre-Vatican II (69%) and Millennial (61%) Generations report incomes of less than $60,000. Total Annual Household Income, by Generation Percentage responding Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial Less than $20,000 15% 3% 39% $20,000-$39, $40,000-$59, $60,000-$79, $80,000-$99, $100,000 or more

26 Section II: Religious Characteristics of Respondents This part of the report describes several characteristics of the 366 valid respondents to the survey that relate to their religious attributes and parish-related behaviors. Relationship to the Parish Among all respondents, 92% report that St. Paul Parish is their primary place of worship and 85% say they are registered there. In the figure below, those two measures are examined in relationship to one another. More than eight in ten (85%) say both that the parish is their primary place of worship and that they are registered there. Fewer, 7%, say the parish is their primary place of worship but that they are not registered there. About one in 20 (7%) is a visitor to the parish. Relationship to Parish Number and percentage Primary place of worship but not registered, 26, 7% Primary place of worship and a registered parishioner, 293, 85% Not primary place of worship but registered, 2, 1% Visitor, 25, 7% 20

27 Compared to Catholics in pew nationally (78%), St. Paul respondents are slightly more likely to identify the parish as their primary place of worship and be registered there (85%). Relationship to the Parish Catholics In Pew St. Paul Nationally* Primary place of worship and a registered parishioner 85% 78% Primary place of worship but not registered 7 13 Not primary place of worship but registered 1 2 Visitor to the parish 7 7 *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study Religious Background Three in four (76%) say they were raised Catholic. The survey did not ask people to identify if they are currently Catholic. Some 86% of Millennials were raised Catholic, compared to 72% of those of the Post- Vatican II Generation, 77% of those of the Vatican II Generation, and 68% of those of the Pre- Vatican II Generation. 21

28 Mass Time of Response The parish collected the surveys by Mass time of response and sent them to CARA bundled in that way. Respondents were particularly likely to have responded at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass (36%), followed by the 5:15 p.m. Saturday Mass (3) and 8 a.m. Sunday (26%) Masses. Some 8% of respondents responded outside of any of the Masses. Not collected at a Mass 27 8% Mass Time of Response Number and percentage 5:15 pm Saturday :30 am Sunday % 8:00 am Sunday 96 26% Where relevant throughout the rest of the report, comparisons are made among those who responded at the various Masses. 22

29 Frequency of Mass Attendance Nearly two in three respondents (64%) report attending Mass at least once a week. An additional 3 attend almost every week and 5% attend once or twice a month. About 1% attends less frequently than that. Every week, 162, 49% Frequency of Mass Attendance Number and percentage responding More than once a week, 50, 15% Never or rarely, 1, <1% A few times a year, 3, 1% Once or twice a month, 15, 5% Almost every week, 100, 3 23

30 Comparison to Catholics Nationally Compared to in-pew Catholics nationally (71%), St. Paul respondents are slightly less likely to attend Mass at least once a week (64%). St. Paul respondents (64%) are considerably more likely to attend Mass at least once a week than are self-identified Catholic adults nationally (23%). About how frequently do you currently attend Mass? Percentage responding Catholics In Pew Nationally* Catholics Nationally** St. Paul Never or rarely <1% <1% 32% A few times a year Once/twice a month Almost every week Every week More than once a week *Source: CARA s 2012 Emerging Models study **Source: CARA s 2012 Media Use study Differences by Generation Members of the Pre-Vatican II Generation (87%) are most likely to attend Mass at least once a week, followed by those of the Vatican II Generation (7), Post-Vatican II Generation (), and Millennial Generation (45%). Those of the Millennial Generation (43%), on the other hand, are most likely to attend Mass almost every week, followed by those of the Post-Vatican II Generation (35%), Vatican II Generation (26%), and Pre-Vatican II Generation (1). Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation Fully 95% of respondents report having received the Sacrament of Confirmation. One hundred percent of the Pre-Vatican II Generation report having received the sacrament, compared to 97% of the Vatican II Generation, 93% of the Post-Vatican II Generation, and 91% of the Millennial Generation. It is worth noting here that there may have been non-catholics among those responding to the question as well. 24

31 Participation in Parish Formation Programs Some 28% of respondents report that their children have attended religious education classes in the past five years. Sixty-two percent of Post-Vatican II Generation respondents say their child(ren) have attended these classes, compared to 7% to 16% of those of the other generations. Ministry and Activity Participation Just over four in ten report not being involved with any ministries or activities at the parish. Nearly two in ten (18%) report being involved with one ministry or activity, with involved with two or more. Number of Ministries or Activities Involved with at the Parish Number and percentage Three or more, 42, 19% None, 91, 42% Two, 45, 21% One, 40, 18% In the remainder of this report comparison is made between two groups of respondents according to their involvement in parish activities: Those not involved in any parish ministries or activities (91 respondents or 42%) Those involved in at least one parish ministry or activity (127 respondents or 58%) 25

32 Comparison to Parishes Nationally Some 42% report not being involved with any ministries or activities at the parish. This is slightly less than the average proportion reported by parishes CARA has worked with in the past (5). Number of Ministries or Activities Involved With Percentage responding Parishes St. Paul Nationally* None 42% 5 One Two Three or more 19 3 *Source: Cumulative average from parishes conducting CARA Parish Life Surveys Eighteen percent of St. Paul respondents are involved in one ministry or activity, compared to 25% of those at parishes nationally. Four in ten () are involved with at least two parish ministries or activities, compared to 25% of those at parishes nationally. 26

33 Section III: Assessment of Parish Life and Needs Overall, the results of the St. Paul Parish Life Survey are very positive. Sixteen particular areas were addressed in the survey instrument. These areas are featured in this section of the report, though readers are advised to consult the response frequencies in Appendix I of this document for response rates and other pertinent information about these data. The areas of parish life addressed are: Evaluation of Aspects of Parish Life Evaluation of Persons and Programs Evaluation of Areas of Weekend Masses Evaluation of Parish Efforts Effectiveness of Ways of Communicating Evaluation of Parish Outreach Top Priorities for Parish Outreach Plans for Future Enrollment at the Parish School Reasons for Not Sending a Child to St. Paul School Priority for Parish Needs Willingness to Contribute Funds to Projects Importance of Religious Behaviors Reasons for Missing Mass Likelihood of Future Behaviors Personal Difficulties Attitudes about Parish Life 27

34 Evaluation of Aspects of Parish Life This section presents the survey s most general evaluation of parish life. Besides an evaluation of the parish overall, the other items are very general measures of CARA s seven elements of parish life: community, worship, leadership, faith formation, stewardship, social justice, and evangelization. Nine in ten respondents (9) give a positive rating ( good and excellent combined) to St. Paul Parish overall. Just over a third (35%) rate their overall satisfaction as excellent. Please evaluate these aspects of parish life Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Masses and liturgies in general 92% 47% St. Paul Parish overall Efforts to educate parishioners in the faith Encouragement to share your time, talents and treasure with the parish Sense of community within the parish Outreach to and advocacy for those in need Vision provided by parish leaders Spreading the Gospel/evangelizing More than nine in ten (92%) give Masses and liturgies at the parish a good or excellent evaluation. Nearly half (47%) rate them as excellent. Roughly three in four say the parish is good or excellent in the following areas: efforts to educate parishioners in the faith (77%), encouragement to share one s time, talents, and treasures with the parish (76%), the sense of community within the parish (76%), outreach to and advocacy for those in need (74%), and the vision provided by parish leaders (7). Some 23% to 29% rate these aspects of parish life as excellent. Efforts to spread the Gospel or evangelize receive a positive evaluation from nearly two in three (64%), with just under two in ten (18%) giving them an excellent rating. 28

35 Differences by Generation Members of the Vatican II Generation are least likely to evaluate the elements of parish life shown in the figures below as excellent. Millennials and members of the Pre-Vatican II Generation are most likely to give an excellent an evaluation to Masses and liturgies in general. Excellent Evaluations of Elements of Parish Life, by Generation 43% 44% 42% 26% St. Paul Parish overall 36% 35% 3 15% Sense of community within the parish Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial Excellent Evaluations of Elements of Parish Life, by Generation 63% 58% 49% 36% Masses and liturgies in general 3 22% 33% 37% Encouragement to share your time, talents and treasure with the parish Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial 29

36 Post-Vatican II Generation members are most likely to rate the vision provided by parish leaders as excellent, followed by those of the Millennial Generation. "Excellent" Evaluations of Vision Provided by Parish Leaders, by Generation 41% 32% 19% 16% Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial 30

37 Differences by Level of Involvement Those involved with at least one ministry or activity at the parish are relatively less likely to give an excellent rating to parish efforts to spread the Gospel or evangelize. "Excellent" Evaluations of Spreading the Gospel/Evangelizing, by Involvement 22% Not involved with any ministries or activities 8% Involved with one or more 31

38 Differences by Mass of Response Those who responded to the survey at the 5:15 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses are especially likely to give the Masses and liturgies in general an excellent rating. "Excellent" Evaluations of Masses and Liturgies in General, by Mass Time 49% 56% 32% 5:15 pm Saturday 8 am Sunday 10:30 am Sunday Differences by Past Participation in Formation Programs Those whose children have attended religious education classes at the parish in the past five years do not differ significantly from others in how they evaluate efforts to educate parishioners in the faith. 32

39 Evaluation of Persons and Programs St. Paul School receives positive evaluations from more than nine in ten respondents (94%). Half (51%) say it is excellent. Please evaluate the following persons and programs 2 Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only St. Paul School 94% 51% RCIA (process for adults to enter the Church) Leadership of the Parish Pastoral Council Parish Finance Committee Sacramental preparation programs for children and youth Children s religious education programs Small faith-sharing groups Youth ministry RCIA is evaluated positively by 88% of respondents, with 76% giving a positive evaluation to sacramental preparation programs for children and youth. More than a third rate both as excellent. A little more than three in four say the leadership of the Parish Pastoral Council (78%) and Parish Finance Committee (77%) are good or excellent. A quarter say each is excellent. Seven in ten (69%) rate children s religious education programs positively, with almost half (46%) giving a positive rating to youth ministry. Children s religious education programs receive an excellent evaluation from 26%, with 17% rating youth ministry as highly. Small faith-sharing groups are given a positive evaluation from 58% of respondents, with 17% rating them as excellent. 2 This section has higher non-response rates than the previous one due to fewer having enough knowledge to evaluate some programs. These higher non-response rates are typical of CARA s other in-pew surveys. To view the nonresponse rates to all questions, see Appendix I. 33

40 Differences among Age Groups Those ages 16 to 19 are more likely than others to give youth ministry a high evaluation. More than a quarter rate youth ministry as excellent. "Excellent" Evaluations of Youth Ministry, by Age Groups 27% Ages 16 to 19 15% Other respondents 34

41 Differences by Generation Members of the Millennial Generation are especially likely to rate the RCIA program as excellent. Those of the oldest and youngest generations are most likely to evaluate children s religious education programs as excellent. As was presented earlier, those of the Post-Vatican II Generation are most likely to have had children attend children s religious education classes in the last five years. Excellent Evaluations of Programs, by Generation 54% 38% 33% 36% 27% RCIA (process for adults to enter the Church) 21% 21% 33% Children's religious education programs Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial 35

42 Differences by Level of Involvement Those involved with at least one ministry or activity at the parish are relatively less likely than other respondents to give an excellent rating to the committees and programs presented in the figures below. Excellent Evaluations of Persons or Programs, by Involvement 45% 45% 26% RCIA (process for adults to enter the Church) Sacramental preparation programs for children and youth Not involved with any ministries or activities 21% 24% 7% Youth ministry Involved with one or more Excellent Evaluations of Persons or Programs, by Involvement 33% Leadership of the Parish Pastoral Council 26% 16% 1 Small faith-sharing groups Not involved with any ministries or activities Involved with one or more 36

43 Differences by Past Participation in Formation Programs Those whose children have attended religious education classes at the parish in the past five years do not differ significantly from others in how they evaluate children s religious education classes and sacramental preparation programs for children and youth. Those whose children have attended religious education classes at the parish in the past five years (35%) are slightly less likely than others () to give a good or excellent rating to youth ministry. "Good" or "Excellent" Evaluations of Youth Ministry, by Child's Past Participation 34% Has a child who attended religious education classes in last 5 years Other respondents Those who were not raised Catholic do not differ from others in how they evaluate the RCIA program. 37

44 Evaluation of Areas of Weekend Masses Consistent with the findings for Masses and liturgies in general presented earlier, 3 more than nine in ten (93%) rate weekend Masses in general as good or excellent. Nearly half (48%) rate them as excellent. Please evaluate these areas of weekend Masses overall for the Mass you most regularly attend Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Weekend Masses in general 93% 48% Music Sound clarity during Mass The music receives a positive evaluation from 7 of respondents. Just over a quarter (27%) rate it as excellent. Some 56% evaluate the sound clarity during Mass positively, with three in ten (29%) rating it as excellent. 3 Some 92% rate Masses and liturgies in general as good or excellent. Forty-seven percent rate them as excellent. 38

45 Differences by Frequency of Mass Attendance Those who attend Mass at least once a week are relatively less likely than those attending less frequently to give a good or excellent rating to the sound clarity during Mass. "Good" or "Excellent" Evaluations of the Sound Clarity during Mass, by Mass Attendance 66% 51% Attends Mass less than weekly Attends weekly or more 39

46 Differences by Generation The younger the generation, the more likely they are to give an excellent evaluation to the sound clarity during Mass. "Excellent" Evaluations of the Sound Clarity during Mass, by Generation 52% 39% 11% 18% Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial 40

47 Differences by Level of Involvement Those involved with at least one ministry or activity at the parish are relatively less likely than other respondents to give an excellent rating to each of the areas of worship presented in this section. Excellent Evaluations of Areas of Weekend Masses, by Involvement 55% 39% 37% 33% 19% 16% Weekend Masses in general Sound clarity during Mass Music Not involved with any ministries or activities Involved with one or more 41

48 Differences by Mass Usually Attended Mass of Response Those who responded at the 5:15 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Masses are especially likely to give the weekend Masses in general and music an excellent rating. Those attending at the 8 a.m. Sunday Mass are least likely to evaluate any of the areas of weekend Masses that highly. Excellent Evaluations of Areas of Weekend Masses, by Mass Time 59% 5 36% 39% 29% 31% 25% 19% Weekend Masses in general Music Sound clarity during Mass 5:15 pm Saturday 8 am Sunday 10:30 am Sunday 42

49 Evaluation of Parish Efforts Parish efforts to nurture parishioners relationship with Jesus Christ (85%) and to foster parishioners personal prayer life (79%) receive a positive evaluation from at least eight in ten. Three in ten rate these efforts as excellent. Please evaluate parish efforts to: Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Nurture your relationship with Jesus Christ 85% 3 Encourage you to do charitable works Foster your personal prayer life Maintain existing parish facilities Collaborate with groups in the local community Accommodate those with special needs Cooperate with local non-catholic churches Invite you to participate in parish life Strengthen family life Reach out to area Catholics who do not come to Mass regularly 30 7 Reach out to those who do not belong to a faith community 28 6 Some 7 say the parish is good or excellent at inviting participation in parish life. About two in ten (22%) say it is excellent in this area. Between 73% and give a positive rating to these parish efforts: encouraging them to do charitable works, maintaining existing parish facilities, collaborating with groups in the local community, accommodating those with special needs, and cooperating with local non- Catholic churches. Some to 28% rate each of these efforts as excellent. Efforts to strengthen family life receive a positive evaluation from 63% of respondents, with one in six (17%) rating those efforts as excellent. Direct evangelization efforts are least likely to receive positive evaluations, with about three in ten giving a good or excellent rating to outreach to area Catholics who do not come to Mass regularly (3) and outreach to those who do not belong to a faith community (28%). About one in 20 (6% or 7%) rates these efforts as excellent. 43