May Parish Life Survey. St. Mary of the Knobs Floyds Knobs, Indiana

Transcription

1 May 2013 Parish Life Survey St. Mary of the Knobs Floyds Knobs, Indiana

2 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Georgetown University Washington, DC Parish Life Survey St. Mary of the Knobs Floyds Knobs, Indiana May 2013 Melissa A. Cidade, M.A. Carolyne Saunders, M.S.

3 Table of Contents Executive Summary... 1 Introduction... 4 Interpreting This Report... 4 Section I: Responding Parishioners... 6 Demographic Characteristics of Respondents... 6 Religious Characteristics of Respondents Section II: Parish Life Aspects of Parish Life Parish Communication Attraction to Parish Staying at Parish Section III: Parish Strengths Liturgical Life and Spirituality Children s Liturgy of the Word Parish Spirituality Faith Formation Section IV: Opportunities for Improvement Parish Outreach Evangelization Priorities for Community Outreach Volunteering and Impediments to Involvement Stewardship Appendix I: Datasheet Appendix II: Answers to Open Ended Questions... 63

4 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Parish Life Survey for St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Floyd Knobs, Indiana Executive Summary The St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Life Survey was designed by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. The questions were derived from CARA s database of nationally tested questions. The parish distributed the questionnaire to those attending the parish liturgies over one weekend in February In all, there were 599 valid responses. Major findings can be summarized as follows: Respondent Overview The average age of respondents is 55 years old. One in five respondents (20 percent) were born before 1943 and are part of the Pre-Vatican II Generation. Another one in three was born either between 1943 and 1960 (Vatican II) or 1961 and 1981 (Post- Vatican II). Finally, one in ten respondents was born after 1981 and is part of the Millennial Generation. Three in five respondents are female (61 percent) and three in four respondents are married (78 percent). Almost one in three respondents (29 percent) has at least one child living with them in the household. Each of the three Masses at St. Mary of the Knobs is profiled in this report. The Sunday, 10:30 am Mass tends to have more younger respondents than the others (50 percent of respondents at this Mass are from the Post-Vatican II/Millennial Generation). This is also the Mass with the highest proportion of respondents with children 36 percent of respondents at the Sunday, 10:30 Mass have at least one child living in their household, compared to 31 percent at the Sunday, 8:00 am Mass and 20 percent of those at the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass. Generally, respondents have attended the parish for a long time. The average length of time attending this parish is 34 years. Just one in ten respondents (11 percent) has attended for four years or fewer. Those who have been at the parish longer are more likely than those who are newer to the parish to have enrolled a child in faith formation or have attended adult faith formation themselves in the past five years. This sense of belonging is important: almost six in ten respondents (58 percent) say that the primary reason they first came to St. Mary of the Knobs is because their roots are at the parish. 1

5 Parish Life Nearly all respondents (96 percent) evaluate St. Mary of the Knobs Parish overall as good or excellent. Almost nine in ten respondents (88 percent) evaluate the sense of community within the parish and the promotion of responsible stewardship among parishioners as good or excellent. While there are no generational differences in the overall evaluation of the parish, those in the older generations are most likely to evaluate the sense of community as good or excellent, and those in the younger generations are more likely to evaluate the promotion of responsible stewardship as good or excellent. Nine in ten respondents say that Sunday bulletins and announcements read at Mass are somewhat or very effective ways of communicating parish news to them. However, online communication is more effective for younger generations respondents from the Post-Vatican II/Millennial Generation are more likely than older respondents to say that s, the parish website, and Facebook and other social networking sites are somewhat or very effective ways of communicating with them. This is also true for those with children in their household. The liturgy is very important in attracting respondents to the parish: respondents are very much attracted to the parish because of the quality of the preaching (69 percent), the quality of the liturgy (57 percent), or the quality of the music (33 percent). Likewise, seven in ten respondents mention that the pastor is the first, second, or third reason for staying at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. For those who are newer to the parish, this is particularly true more than half of respondents who have been attending St. Mary of the Knobs for four years or less say that the pastor is the most important reason for staying at the parish. Parish Strengths Six in ten respondents (61 percent) evaluate the Masses and liturgies as excellent. Over nine in ten respondents evaluate the readers/lectors, homilies, and hospitality or sense of welcome at the parish as good or excellent. Overall, over eight in ten respondents (82 percent) would support starting Children s Liturgy of the Word during the Mass at the parish. This support is particularly strong among those with children in the household and at the Sunday, 10:30 am Mass. Nine out of ten respondents (90 percent) say that they have grown spiritually as a result of attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. Likewise, nine in ten respondents say that they are satisfied with their religious experience at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. Not surprisingly, then, nine in ten respondents (90 percent) evaluate the parish efforts to nurture their relationship with Jesus Christ as good or excellent. 2

6 Opportunities for Improvement Outreach to certain groups is evaluated less positively by respondents. Each of the following groups has less than one in four respondents saying current outreach is excellent: single young adults (17 percent), those divorced or separated (14 percent), single parents (15 percent), married young adults (20 percent) and parishioners in financial need (21 percent). Those who are involved in one or more parish ministries or activities are less likely than those who are not involved to evaluate parish outreach as good or excellent. Most respondents evaluate the parish spreading the Gospel/evangelizing as good or excellent; however, less than half evaluate the parish efforts to reach out to those who do not belong to a faith community and to Catholics who do not come to Mass regularly as good or excellent. More than three in four respondents want charities, groups that advocate respect for life, and groups that advocate for the poor to be somewhat or very much the priority of the parish. Four in five respondents point to their busy schedule or lack of time as somewhat or very much preventing them from volunteering more for the parish. Four in five respondents evaluate the parish efforts to manage parish finances as good or excellent. About the same proportion evaluates parish efforts to promote responsible stewardship among parishioners as good or excellent (88 percent) and agree that the parish has challenged them to give their time, talents and treasure in support of the Lord s mission (82 percent). 3

7 Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate Parish Life Survey for St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Floyd Knobs, Indiana Introduction The St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Life Survey was designed by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. The questions were derived from CARA s database of nationally tested questions. The parish distributed the questionnaire to those attending the parish liturgies over one weekend in February, In all, there were 599 respondents after excluding a small number under eighteen years of age. Following standard assumptions of statistical inference, a sample size of 599 provides a margin of error of approximately +2.3 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, sometimes examining the most positive response distinguishes important contrasts in level of support. 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 100 percent, as well as the percentage of all respondents that did not respond to each question, separately calculated out of 100 percent 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 section of the report describes the characteristics of the respondents as well as the subgroups that are used in the 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. 1 Strictly speaking, margin of sampling error assumes that a sample has been randomly drawn from a larger population. This survey has attempted to reach all St. Mary of the Knobs Mass attendees. According to parish leaders, in a typical weekend, 900 people attend Masses at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. With a sample of 599 respondents, the margin of error means that if all people typically attending Masses at the parish over all liturgies on a given weekend had responded to the questionnaire, the response to each question would vary no more than approximately 2.5 percentage points above or below the actual percentage reported in Appendix I. 4

8 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 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. The results of this survey can be used to represent the people ages 18 and older who attend Mass at St. Mary of the Knobs 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 involved in parish functions excluding Mass. 5

9 Section I: Responding Parishioners This section of the report includes demographic and other descriptive data for 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 a typical weekend at the parish. Demographic Characteristics of Respondents Age The average age of respondents is 55 years old. Age of Respondents Percentage responding % and above 14 Mean 55 Median 55 Responding parishioners were born between 1911 and 1995 and range in age from 18 to 98 years old. Those born between 1953 and 1962 (ages 50-59) represent one out of five respondents (22 percent). One quarter (26 percent) are in their thirties or forties. Almost half (45 percent) are age 60 or over, with one third of those currently in their sixties. The average (mean) age is 55, which is comparable to that of respondents at Catholic parishes nationally (an average of 53). 6

10 Generation Important differences between groups in parishes are typically found among those who belong to different generations. CARA divides Catholics into the following four generations, reflective of the age categories used by many other Catholic researchers. One in three respondents is part of the Vatican II Generation or the Post-Vatican II Generation. Generations Percentage by group St. Mary of the Knobs Parishes Nationally Adult Catholics Nationally 1 Pre-Vatican II 20% 35% 17% Vatican II Post-Vatican II Millennial The Pre-Vatican II Generation, ages 71 and over in 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 20 percent of the respondents. This is 15 percent less than in parishes nationally (35 percent), but is closer to the proportion of adult Catholics nationally that are part of the Pre-Vatican II generation (17 percent). The Vatican II Generation, ages in 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. Mary of the Knobs represent almost two fifths of respondents (37 percent), which closely resembles that of other parishes surveyed by CARA (42 percent), and a little more than the national average of adult Catholics (33 percent). The Post-Vatican II Generation, ages in 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. One third (33 percent) of respondents are members of the Post-Vatican II Generation, which is near the national 1 Source: Gray, Mark M. and Paul M Perl Sacraments Today: Belief and Practice among U.S. Catholics. Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown University: Washington, DC 2 Note: Only since 2007 has there been a sufficient number of adult Millennial Catholics for CARA to include that group in its analyses of parish surveys. 7

11 average for adult Catholics (36 percent). Comparative data for other parishes surveyed by CARA do not distinguish between the Post-Vatican II Generation and the Millennial Generation because CARA has only recently begun to collect these data separately for these two generations. The Millennial Generation, ages in This generation, born in 1982 or later (up to 1994 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. Ten percent of respondents belong to the Millennial Generation, about two thirds the size of this generation in the national adult Catholic population (15 percent). Due to the small number of responding parishioners of the Millennial generation, this group of respondents will be combined with the Post-Vatican II generation for the subgroup analyses presented in this report, which brings this group s size to 42 percent of St. Mary of the Knobs respondents. Generation Percentage responding Pre-Vatican II 20% Post-Vatican II and Millennial 43% Vatican II 37% 8

12 Marital Status Three out of five respondents from St. Mary of the Knobs (61 percent) are female (not shown in the table). More than three in four respondents (78 percent) are currently married or remarried. Marital Status Percentage responding St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Parishes Nationally Adult Catholics Nationally 3 Single, never married 10% 12% 29% Married or remarried Divorced or separated Widowed One in five respondents (22 percent) are currently not married, including those who have never been married (10 percent), those separated or divorced (5 percent), and widowed (7 percent). St. Mary of the Knobs Parish respondents are similar to parishes nationally with regard to their marital status. At parishes nationally, 73 percent of respondents are currently married or remarried, compared to 78 percent of respondents at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. However, compared to adult Catholics nationally, respondents at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish are more likely to be married (53 percent to 78 percent, respectively). Three quarters of those without Catholic spouses (75 percent) say that their spouse feels welcome at the parish (not shown in the table). Please note, however that only 20 percent of respondents (121 respondents) answered this question. 3 Source: Gray, Mark M., et al Marriage in the Catholic Church: A Survey of U.S. Catholics. Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, Georgetown University: Washington, DC. 9

13 Differences by Generation In each generation, at least seven out of ten respondents are currently married or remarried. Marital Status by Generation 100% 90% 80% 70% 1% 23% 71% 4% 87% 6% 5% 77% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 18% 0% 5% 3% Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post Vatican II/Millennial Single, never married Married or remarried Separated or divorced Widowed Seven out of ten Pre-Vatican II Generation respondents (71 percent) report that they are married or remarried and almost all remaining respondents of this generation report that they are widowed (23 percent). Only 5 percent report having never married and only one percent report being divorced. Almost nine out of ten respondents of the Vatican II generation (87 percent) are married or remarried. Over three quarters of Post Vatican II/Millennial respondents (77 percent) are married or remarried. A further two out of ten (18 percent) report being single or never married. The remaining respondents from these generations (5 percent) are separated or divorced. 10

14 Children in the Household One in three respondents (29 percent) has at least one child (including stepchildren) living with them. Number of children or stepchildren living with the respondent Percentage responding Zero 71% One 9 Two 13 Three or more 8 About one in ten respondents (9 percent) have one child living in the household with them. About one in six (13 percent) have two children and about one in ten (8 percent) have three or more. The average number of children living with a respondent is 0.6. Because respondents were given the instruction to leave blank if none, it is assumed that those respondents who did not answer this question do not have children in this age group living in their household. In the remainder of this report, comparison is made between respondents according to whether they have any children in their household age 18 or younger or not; those who report having one or more child (29 percent) are compared to those who do not (71 percent). 11

15 Religious Characteristics of Respondents This segment describes characteristics of respondents that relate to their religious attributes and parish related behavior. Mass Attended St. Mary of the Knobs Parish distributed the survey in three Masses over one weekend in February: Saturday, 4:30pm, Sunday, 8:00 am and Sunday, 10:30 am. Over four out of ten responding parishioners (43 percent) attended the Sunday morning Mass at 10:30 am. Mass Attended by Respondents Percentage responding Saturday, 4:30 pm 34% Sunday, 8:00 am 22 Sunday, 10:30 am 43 One third of respondents (34 percent) attended the Saturday, 4:30 pm service. One out of five respondents (22 percent) attended the Sunday, 8:00 am service. 12

16 Differences by Generation Those attending the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass are, in general, older than those attending either of the Sunday Masses. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 30% Generation Percentage responding by Mass attended 36% 38% 50% 34% 45% 17% 37% 13% Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II and Millenial Half of respondents (50 percent) at the Sunday, 10:30 am Mass are from the Post-Vatican II or Millennial Generation. The proportion of respondents from the Vatican II Generation is higher at the Sunday, 8:00 am Mass, compared to the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass and Sunday, 10:30 am Mass (45 percent compared to 24 percent and 37 percent respectively). Three out of ten respondents (30 percent) at the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass are from the Pre-Vatican II Generation, compared to less than two out of ten at the Sunday, 8:00 am Mass (17 percent) and Sunday, 10:30 am Mass (13 percent). 13

17 Differences by Children in the Household Most respondents (80 percent) at the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass do not have children in their household. 100% 90% Number of Children by Mass Time 20% 31% 36% 80% 70% 60% 80% 69% 64% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am No children One or more children More than one in three respondents at the Sunday, 10:30 am liturgy has at least one child in the household. This is the highest proportion of respondents with children. While three in ten respondents at the early Sunday morning Mass have children in the household, the other almost seven in ten do not. 14

18 Parish Registration and Years Attending Parish Almost all respondents (96 percent) report being registered at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish and 98 percent say this parish is their primary place of worship (not shown in the table). Most respondents have attended the parish for a long time the average number of years attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish is 34 years. Number of years attending parish Percentage responding 4 or less years 11% 5 9 years years 8 15 or more years 71 Mean 34 Median 33 Minimum 0 Maximum 96 One out of ten respondents has been attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish for four or less years (11 percent) or five to nine years (10 percent). Seven out of ten respondents (71 percent) have been attending the parish for 15 or more years. On average, respondents have been attending the parish for 34 years and over half of the respondents have been attending the parish for at least 33 years. 15

19 Differences by Mass Attended Not surprisingly, since these Masses also skew slightly older in their participants, respondents who attended the Saturday, 4.30pm Mass or Sunday, 8am Mass have been attending St. Mary of the Knobs longer than respondents who attended the Sunday 10.30am Mass. Years Attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Differences by Mass Attended Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am Mean Minimum Maximum Involvement in Parish Activities Two thirds of respondents (68 percent) report being involved in one or more ministry or activity at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. How many ministries or activities are you involved with at this parish? Percentage responding None 32% One 25 Two to four 39 Five or more 4 One quarter of respondents (25 percent) say they are involved in one ministry or activity at the parish. Four out of ten respondents (39 percent) report being involved in two to four ministries or activities. One third of respondents (32 percent) say they are involved in no ministries or activities. The proportion of respondents who are involved in at least one ministry or activity at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish is larger than the proportion in parishes nationally (68 percent compared to 50 percent). 16

20 For the remainder of this report, comparisons are made between respondents by their involvement in parish activities; those who are involved in at least on parish ministry or activity (68 percent) are compared to those not involved in any parish ministry or activity (32 percent). Differences by Generation There is a relationship between Generation and involvement in parish ministries or activities: the older the respondent, the more likely they are to be involved in at least one parish activity or ministry. Within the Post-Vatican II and Millennial Generations, 65 percent of respondents report being involved in at least one parish ministry or activity, compared to 67 percent of those of the Vatican II Generation and 77 percent of those of the Pre-Vatican II Generation. Differences by Children in Household Respondents with no children in their households are almost twice as likely as those with children to report that they are involved in one or more ministry or activity in St. Mary of the Knobs Parish (44 percent compared to 24 percent). Differences by Number of Years Attending Parish Respondents who have attended St. Mary of the Knobs Parish for four years or less are less likely to be involved in parish ministries or activities than those who have attended parish for longer. 17

21 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Involvement in Parish Ministries or Activities Percentage responding by number of years attending parish 49% 74% 82% 70% 51% 26% 18% 30% 4 or less years 5-9 years years 15+ years Not involved Involved 18

22 Enrollment of Children in Parish School One quarter of all respondents (24 percent) report that their children have attended St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School in the past five years. Have any of your children attended St. mary of the Knobs Catholic School in the past five years? Percentage of all respondents Yes 24% No 76% 19

23 Differences by Children in Household Four out of ten respondents (43 percent) who report having one or more children living in their household say that one or more of their children have attended the parish school in the past five years. Have any of your children attende dst. Mary ofthe Knobs Catholic school in the past five years? Percentage responding with one or more children in household Yes 43% No 57% 20

24 Enrollment of Children in Faith Formation Classes One third of respondents (36 percent) report that they have had children attend faith formation classes at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish in the past five years. Have any of your children attended faith formation classes [at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish] in the past five years? Percentage responding Yes 36% No 64% Differences by Mass Attended Respondents who attended the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass are less likely than those who attended one of the Sunday Masses to say that they have had children attend faith formation classes at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish in the past five years (27 percent compared to 40 percent). Differences by Children in Household Six out of ten respondents (62 percent) who they have children age 18 or under living in their household report that they have children who have attended faith formation classes in the past 5 years. 21

25 Differences by Enrollment in Parish School Over half of respondents (55 percent) who have had children attend St. Mary of the Knobs Parish school in the past five years say that their children have also attended faith formation classes in the parish in the past five years. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Have any of your children attended faith formation classes here in the past five years? Percentage responding by parish school enrollment 45% 72% 55% Children have attended parish school 28% Children have not attended Parish school Yes No Almost three out of four respondents (72 percent) who say that they have not had children attend the parish school in the past five years say that they have also not had any children attend faith formation classes in the past five years. 22

26 Differences by Years Attending Parish Respondents who have been attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish for years are most likely to say that they have children that have attended faith formation classes in the parish in the past five years. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Have any of your children attended faith formation classes here in the past five years? Percentage responding by years attending parish 61% 46% 26% 72% 39% 54% 74% 28% 4 or less years 5-9 years years 15+ years Yes No 23

27 Spiritual Growth of Children Over eight out of ten respondents (84 percent) say their children have grown spiritually as a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs. As a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs, have your children grown spiritually? Percentage responding No 16% Yes 84% Differences by Children in Household Nine in ten respondents (92 percent) with children in the household say that their children have grown spiritually as a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs. Differences by Attendance at Parish School Respondents with children who have attended the parish school in the past five years are more likely that those without to say that their children have grown spiritually as a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs parish (95 percent compared to 79 percent). Differences by Children s Attendance at Faith Formation Classes Respondents with children who have attended faith formation classes at the parish in the past five years are more likely that those without to say that their children have grown spiritually as a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs parish (93 percent compared to 76 percent). 24

28 100% 90% 80% 70% As a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish, have your children grown spiritually? 16% 84% 8% 5% 7% 92% 95% 93% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Respondents overall With children in the household With children who attended the parish school With children who attended faith formation classes Yes No 25

29 Adult Faith Formation One quarter of respondents (26 percent) report that they have attended faith formation classes in the past five years. Have you attended adult faith formation classes in the past 5 years? Percentage responding Yes 26% No 74% Differences by Mass Attended Respondents at the Sunday, 8:00 am Mass are more likely than respondents at the Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 10:30 am Masses to say that they have attended adult faith formation classes in the past five years (36 percent, 17 percent and 27 percent respectively). Differences by Generation Respondents from the Post-Vatican II or Millennial Generation are more likely than those from other generations to say that they have attended faith formation classes at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish in the past five years. Differences by Children in Household Those with children are more likely that those without to say that they have attended faith formation classes at the parish over the past five years (34 percent compared to 22 percent). 26

30 Differences by Years Attending Parish Attendance at adult faith formation classes differs by years attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Have you attended adult faith formation classes in the past 5 years? Percentage responding by years attending parish 89% 67% 51% 74% 11% 33% 49% 26% 4 or less years 5-9 years years 15+ years Yes No Respondents who have been attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish for years are most likely to say that they have attended adult faith formation classes in the past five years (49 percent). Respondents who have been attending the parish for four or less years or 15+ years are least likely to say they have attended adult formation classes in the past five years (11 percent and 26 percent respectively). 27

31 Spiritual Growth Nine out of ten respondents (90 percent) say that they have grown spiritually as a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs, regardless of whether they have attended adult faith formation classes in the past five years or not and which Mass they attended over the weekend the survey was administered. As a result of being at St. Mary of the Knobs, have you grown spiritually? Percentage responding No 10% Yes 90% 28

32 Section II: Parish Life This section of the report outlines respondents evaluations of several aspects of parish life, including the overall evaluation of parish life, communication with parishioners, and attraction to the parish. Aspects of Parish Life Nearly all respondents (96 percent) evaluate St. Mary of the Knobs Parish overall as good or excellent. Please evaluate the following: Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only St. Mary of the Knobs Parish overall 96% 56 % Sense of community within the parish Promotion of responsible stewardship among parishioners Vision provided by parish leaders Efforts to promote social justice Almost nine out of ten respondents (88 percent) evaluate the sense of community within the parish and the promotion of responsible stewardship among parishioners as good or excellent. More than eight out of ten respondents (86 percent) say the vision provided by parish leaders is good or excellent. Eight out of ten responding parishioners (79 percent) evaluate efforts to promote social justice as good or excellent. Over half (56 percent) evaluate St. Mary of the Knob s Parish overall as excellent. 29

33 Differences by Generation There are no significant differences between the generations and their evaluation of St. Mary of the Knobs Parish overall more than nine in ten respondents, regardless of generation evaluate the parish as good or excellent. However, those in the Pre-Vatican II Generation are the most likely to evaluate the sense of community within the parish as good or excellent, while those in the Post-Vatican II/Millennial Generation are most likely to evaluate the parish promotion of responsible stewardship among parishioners as good or excellent. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Evaluation of Aspects of Parish Life Percentage responding "good" or "excellent" by generation 95% 97% 95% 94% St. Mary of the Knobs Parish overall 89% 92% 88% 85% 85% Sense of community within the parish Promotion of responsible stewardship among parishioners Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II and Millenial 30

34 Parish Communication Overall, most respondents (86 percent) evaluate parish efforts to communicate with parishioners as good or excellent (not shown in the table). Sunday bulletins and announcements read at Mass are somewhat or very effective means of communicating parish news for almost all respondents. How effective are these ways of communicating parish news to you? Percentage responding Somewhat or Very Very Only Sunday bulletins 96% 72% Announcements read at Mass Word of mouth among parishioners to your work or home address * Parish website * Facebook and other social networking websites * *Non-response rate 20 percent or more. 4 Over seven out of ten respondents (72 percent) say the Sunday bulletins are a very effective way of communicating parish news to them, and more than half of respondents (58 percent) say that announcements read at Mass are a very effective way of communicating parish news to them. Six out of ten respondents (60 percent) say word of mouth among parishioners is somewhat or very effective for communicating parish news to them. More than half of respondents say that to their work or home address (56 percent) and the parish website (53 percent) are somewhat or very effective ways of communicating parish news to them. Almost three in four respondents (73 percent) say that they regularly at work or at home (not shown in the table). Less than four out of ten respondents (37 percent) say Facebook and other social networking websites are somewhat or very effective ways of communicating parish news. 4 For the remainder of this report, those questions on the survey with 20 percent or more people leaving the answer blank (non-respondents) will be marked with an asterisk. Please interpret these data with care. 31

35 Differences by Generation Online communications are more effective for younger respondents than for older. Respondents from the Post-Vatican II or Millennial Generation are more likely than those from other generations to say that s, the parish website and social networking websites are somewhat or very effective ways of communicating parish news to them. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% How effective are these ways of communicating parish news to you? Percentage responding "somewhat" or "very" by generation 47% 52% 65% to your work or home address 50% 48% 59% 24% 31% 46% Parish website Facebook and other social networking websites Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II or Millennial Differences by Children in Household Respondents with children in their household are more likely than those without to say that to their work or home address is a very effective way of communicating parish news to them (43 percent compared to 25 percent). 32

36 Attraction to Parish Over nine out of ten respondents say that the quality of the liturgy (94 percent), the quality of the preaching (93 percent) and the sense of belonging they feel at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish (92 percent) somewhat or very much attract them to the parish. How much do the following attract you to this parish? Percentage responding Somewhat or Very much Very much Only The quality of the liturgy 94% 57% The quality of the preaching The sense of belonging you feel here Its opportunities for spiritual growth* Its religious education/formation for children and youth* The quality of the music Its faith formation for adults* St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School * *Non-response rate 20 percent or more. More than eight out of ten respondents (86 percent) say that the opportunities for spiritual growth somewhat or very much attract them to the parish (38 percent say very much ). About three in four respondents (74 percent) say that St. Mary of the Knobs religious education/formation for children and youth (74 percent) somewhat or very much attracts them to the parish, while another six in ten (62 percent) say that the faith formation for adults somewhat or very much attracts them to the parish. Another 54 percent are somewhat or very attracted to the parish by St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School. The liturgy is very important in attracting respondents to the parish: respondents are very much attracted to the parish because of the quality of preaching (69 percent), the sense of belonging they feel at the parish (61 percent), the quality of the liturgy (57 percent), or the quality of the music (33 percent). 33

37 Differences by Mass Attended Respondents who completed their surveys at the Sunday, 10:30 am Mass are the most likely to say that the quality of the liturgy, the preaching, and the music very much attract them to St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. They are slightly more likely than those who completed the survey at the other Masses to say that the sense of belonging they feel at St. Mary of the Knobs very much attracts them to the parish. 100% How much do each of the following attract you to this parish? Percentage responding "very much" by Mass attended 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 51% 53% 64% 69% 71% 65% 63% 61% 56% 30% 20% 34% 36% 29% 10% 0% The quality of the liturgy The quality of the music The quality of the preaching Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am The sense of belonging you feel here Differences by Generation Respondents from the Pre-Vatican II Generation are more likely than respondents from other generations to say they are somewhat or very much attracted to the parish because of its faith formation for adults and the parish school. 34

38 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% How much do the following attract you to this parish? Percentage responding "somewhat" or "very much" by generation 83% 63% 56% Its faith formation for adults 74% 52% 49% St. Mary of the Knobs School Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II and Millenial Differences by Children in Household Respondents with children in their household are slightly more likely than those without to say that they are somewhat or very much attracted to the parish because of its religious education/formation for children and youth (79 percent compared to 72 percent). Conversely, those without any children in their household are more likely than those with to say they are somewhat or very much attracted to St. Mary of the Knobs Parish because of its faith formation for adults (67 percent compared to 52 percent). 35

39 Almost six out of ten respondents (58 percent) say that the primary reason they first came to St. Mary of the Knobs is because their roots were here. The primary reason I fist came to St. Mary of the Knobs: Percentage responding Proximity to home 24% My roots are here 58% At a friend of neighbors suggestion 4% Religious ceremonies 2% Other 12% One quarter of respondents (24 percent) say they first came to St. Mary of the Knobs because of its proximity to their home. Just 4 percent report that they first came to St. Mary of the Knobs at a friend or neighbors suggestion. Over one out of ten respondents (12 percent) say that the primary reason they first came to the parish is another reason not listed. Common reasons listed in other include Fr. Mike, the school and because of marriage (see Appendix II). 36

40 Differences by Mass Attended Those who attended the Sunday, 10:30 am service are less likely than other respondents to say that they first came to St. Mary of the Knobs because their roots were at the parish. However, they are also more likely than other respondents to say that they first came to St. Mary of the Knobs because of the proximity to their homes. 100% The primary reason I first came to St. Mary of the Knobs: Percentage responding by Mass attended 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 66% 63% 49% 30% 20% 10% 0% 30% 20% 20% 20% 17% 14% My roots are here Proximity to my house Other reason Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am 37

41 Differences by Years Attending Parish Respondents who have been attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish for 15 or more years are much more likely to say that the primary reason they first came to the parish is that their roots are there, while those who have attended the parish for less time are more likely to point to the proximity of the parish to their homes. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 14% 10% The primary reason I first came to St. Mary of the Knobs: Percentage responding by years attending parish 9% 74% 47% 43% 56% 16% 12% 48% 35% My roots are here Proximity to my house Some other reason 4 years or less 5 to 9 years 10 to 14 years 15 or more years 10% 38

42 Staying at Parish Seven in ten respondents (70 percent) mention the pastor as the first, second, or third reason for staying at St. Mary of the Knobs. Rank each of the following reasons for staying at St. Mary of the Knobs Percentage responding First Second Third Top Three The pastor 40% 20% 10% 70% The spiritual, emotional, intellectual & physical needs of my household are being met here The liturgical experience My family roots are here Spirit of community among parishioners Variety of programs / ministry offerings Because of the school For six out of ten or more respondents, my family roots are here (60 percent), the liturgical experience (61 percent) and the spiritual, emotional, intellectual & physical needs of my household are being met here (66 percent) are one of the top three reasons for staying at the parish. Only one-quarter (25 percent) list because of the school in their top three reasons for staying at the parish. One-third of respondents (35 percent) placed variety of programs/ministry offerings in their top three reasons for staying at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish. Differences by Years Attending Parish Over half of respondents (56 percent) who have been attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish for four years or less say the pastor is the most important reason for staying at the Parish, compared to 35 percent for those who have been attending the parish for 5-9 years, 26 percent for those attending years and 39 percent for those attending 15+ years. 39

43 Section III: Parish Strengths Overall, the results of the St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Survey are positive. Nine out of ten respondents (96 percent) say that St. Mary of the Knobs Parish is good or excellent. Two areas in particular are consistently rated highly by respondents. While these areas are highlighted in this report, readers are advised to consult the response frequencies in Appendix I of this document for response rates and other pertinent information about these data. These two areas of parish strength are: Liturgical life and spirituality Faith Formation Liturgical Life and Spirituality Six in ten respondents (61 percent) evaluate Masses and liturgies as St. Mary of the Knobs Parish as excellent. Evaluation of Masses and Liturgies in General Percentage responding Excellent 61% Poor, <1% Fair 4% Good 35% 40

44 Differences by Mass Attended Respondents who attended the Sunday, 8 am Mass are less likely than those who attended the Saturday, 4:30 pm Mass or the Sunday, 10:30 am Mass to evaluate Masses and liturgies in general as excellent (54 percent compared to 61 percent and 64 percent respectively). Over nine in ten respondents evaluate readers/lectors (98 percent), homilies (94 percent) and hospitality or sense of welcome (93 percent) at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish as good or excellent. Please evaluate these areas of worship in general Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Readers/lectors 98% 57% Homilies Hospitality or sense of welcome Opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration * Confession/Reconciliation * Music overall The music group at the Mass you regularly attend Opportunities for devotions * People s participation Song selection *Non-response rate 20 percent or more. Over eight out of ten respondents evaluate opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration (86 percent) and Confession/Reconciliation (84 percent) as good or excellent. About eight out of ten respondents (82 percent) evaluate music overall at St. Mary of the Knobs as good or excellent, with similar proportions saying that the music group at the Mass they regularly attend (81 percent) and song selection (78 percent) is good or excellent. Eight in ten (80 percent) evaluate opportunities for devotions as good or excellent. Three quarters of respondents from St. Mary of the Knobs (75 percent) evaluate people s participation as good or excellent. Homilies at St. Mary of the Knobs are highly evaluated, with two-thirds of respondents (65 percent) saying homilies are excellent. 41

45 Differences by Mass Attended While about eight in ten respondents evaluate the music overall as good or excellent, regardless of the Mass at which they completed their survey, those at the Sunday, 10:30 am Mass are slightly more likely than others to evaluate the music group and the song selection as good or excellent. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Please evaluate these areas of worship in general Percentage responding "good" or "excellent" by Mass attended 80% 86% Music overall 82% 81% 83% 77% 77% 82% 74% The music group at the Mass you regularly attend Song selection Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am 42

46 Children s Liturgy of the Word Over eight out of ten respondents (82 percent) would support starting Children s Liturgy of the Word for preschoolers through 8 year olds during the Mass at St. Mary of the Knobs. How much do you favor or oppose starting Children's Liturgy of the Word for preschoolers through 8 year olds during the Mass at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish? Percentage responding Strongly oppose 8% Somewhat oppose 10% Strongly support 44% Somewhat support 38% Differences by Children in Household Respondents with children are more likely than those without to strongly support having a children s Liturgy of the Word (53 percent compared to 40 percent). 43

47 Differences by Mass Attended Respondents who attended the Sunday, 8:00 am Mass show less support than those who attended the other Masses for a children s Liturgy of the Word. How much do you favor or oppose starting Children's Liturgy of the Word for preschoolers through 8 year olds during the Mass at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish? Percentage responding by Mass attended 100% 90% 46% 35% 47% 80% 70% 60% 84% support 39% 74% support 85% support 50% 38% 38% 40% 30% 20% 16% 10% 0% 10% 8% 6% 10% 7% Saturday, 4:30 pm Sunday, 8:00 am Sunday, 10:30 am Strongly oppose Somewhat support Somewhat oppose Strongly support 44

48 Parish Spirituality Nine out of ten respondents (90 percent) say that they have grown spiritually as a result of attending St. Mary of the Knobs Parish (not shown in the table). Likewise, nine in ten respondents say that they are satisfied with their religious experience at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish (also not shown in the table). Not surprisingly, then, nine in ten respondents (90 percent) evaluate the parish efforts to nurture their relationship with Jesus Christ as good or excellent. Please evaluate parish efforts to: Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Nurture you relationship with Jesus Christ 90% 41% Foster spiritual growth Help you practice Gospel values in your daily life Offer a Catholic view on current issues Over eight out of ten evaluate St. Mary of the Knobs Parish efforts to foster spiritual growth (87 percent) and help them practice Gospel values in their daily life (84 percent) as good or excellent. Three out of four respondents (76 percent) evaluate the parish s efforts to offer a Catholic view on current issues as good or excellent. Around three out of ten evaluate the parish s efforts to foster spiritual growth (35 percent), to help them practice Gospel values in their daily life (29 percent) and to offer a Catholic view on current issues (28 percent) as excellent. 45

49 Differences by Generation There are no significant generational differences in respondents evaluation of parish efforts to nurture parish spirituality. About nine in ten respondents, regardless of generation, evaluate parish efforts to nurture their relationship with Jesus Christ and foster spiritual growth as good or excellent. About eight in ten evaluate parish efforts to help them practice Gospel values in their daily life and to offer a Catholic view on current issues as good or excellent. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Please evaluate parish efforts to: Percentage responding "good" or "excellent" by generation 90% 90% 92% 87% 85% 86% Nurture you relationship with Jesus Christ Foster spiritual growth 80% 77% 74% Help you practice Gospel values in your daily life Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II and Millenial 88% 86% 83% Offer a Catholic view on current issues 46

50 Faith Formation More than eight out of ten respondents (85 percent) evaluate the efforts of St. Mary of the Knobs Parish to educate parishioners in the faith as good or excellent. About four out of ten respondents (39 percent) evaluate the efforts as excellent. 5 Please evaluate the following areas of faith formation Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School * 94% 61% RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) * Sacramental preparation programs * Children s faith formation programs * Youth ministry * Faith formation for adults * Bible study * Retreats * *Non-response rate 20 percent or more. Of those who responded, nine out of ten or more respondents evaluate St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School (94 percent) and RCIA at the parish (90 percent) as good or excellent. Over eight out of ten respondents evaluate St. Mary of the Knobs Sacramental preparation program (86 percent) and children s faith formation programs (84 percent) as good or excellent. More than eight out of ten respondents evaluate youth ministry (75 percent), faith formation for adults (74 percent) and Bible study (72 percent) at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish as good or excellent. Two thirds of respondents (65 percent) evaluate retreats at the parish as good or excellent. 5 Please note that each of the questions in this section have high non-response rates. This may be because respondents are instructed to leave blank any question that does not pertain to them some of these questions are not applicable to all respondents. It may also be that respondents are not familiar with the faith formation listed, so they skipped the question. However, due to the high non-response rate, no subgroup analyses are included for these questions. 47

51 Section IV: Opportunities for Improvement This section of the report describes some areas of parish life that may be opportunities for improvement. While the evaluations of the aspects of parish life are generally positive overall and most parishioners report that they are satisfied, this section explores some areas of parish life in which some respondents are satisfied and some areas in which at least some respondents are less satisfied. It also considers priorities for the parish as selected by the respondents. Readers are again encouraged to look at the response frequencies for these items in the context of the rest of the survey found in Appendix I, including non-response rates for these particular questions. This section of the report will examine two particular areas of response: Outreach and Evangelization Participation and support of the Liturgy and in Parish Ministries Parish Outreach More than eight in ten respondents evaluate parish outreach to senior citizens (85 percent), families (85 percent) and those sick or homebound (84 percent) as good or excellent. 6 Evaluate parish outreach to the following groups Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Senior citizens (age 65 and older) * 85% 35% Families * Those sick or homebound * Children (age 12 or younger) * New parishioners * Visitors and guests * Those who are grieving * Adults (ages 36 to 64) * Teens (ages 13 to 17) * Parishioners in financial need * Married young adults (ages 18 to 35) * Single parents * Those divorced or separated * Single young adults (ages 18 to 35) * *Non-response rate 10 percent or more. 6 Again, non-response for some of these questions is very high, indicating that respondents may not be familiar with the parish outreach to these groups or may not have an opinion of the parish outreach to these groups. Interpret with care. 48

52 Eight out of ten respondents evaluate parish outreach to children (80 percent) and new parishioners (80 percent) and visitors and guests (79 percent) as good or excellent. Less than six out of ten respondents evaluate outreach to single parents (59 percent), those divorced or separated (57 percent) and single young adults (53 percent) as good or excellent. About three out of four respondents evaluate outreach to those who are grieving (77 percent), adults (76 percent) and teens (73 percent) as good or excellent. Over six out of ten respondents evaluate outreach to parishioners in financial need (65 percent) and married young adults (62 percent) as good or excellent. Differences by Children in Household Respondents with one of more children are less likely than those with none to evaluate outreach for children (71 percent compared to 86 percent) and teens (63 percent compared to 78 percent) as good or excellent. Differences by Involvement Those who are involved in one or more parish ministries or activities are, in general, less likely than those involved in no parish ministries of activities to evaluate outreach in certain areas as good or excellent. This is especially true for outreach to young adults, whether married or single. 49

53 Evaluate parish outreach to the following groups Percentage responding "good' or "excellent" by involvement 90% 80% 70% 60% 75% 77% 72% 67% 84% 84% 74% 75% 85% 79% 50% 54% 40% 47% 30% 20% 10% 0% Married young adults Teens Single young adults Adults Those who are grieving New parishioners Not involved Involved Differences by Years Attending Those who are newer to the parish are more likely than those who have attended for a longer period of time to evaluate parish outreach to new parishioners as excellent. Whereas 48 percent of those who have attended the parish for 4 or fewer years evaluate outreach to new parishioners as excellent, that figure drops to 22 percent for those at the parish five to 14 years, and 30 percent for those at the parish for 15 years or more. 50

54 Evangelization Eight out of ten respondents evaluate St. Mary of the Knobs as good or excellent at spreading the Gospel/evangelizing, but less than half evaluate as good or excellent parish efforts to reach out to those who do not belong to a faith community or Catholics who do not come to Mass regularly. Please evaluate Percentage responding Good or Excellent Excellent Only Spreading the Gospel/evangelizing 80% 30% Parish efforts to reach out to those who do not belong to a faith community Parish efforts to reach out to Catholics who do not come to Mass regularly Differences by Involvement Respondents who are involved in one or more ministries or activities at the parish are less likely than those who are not involved to say the parish is good or excellent at spreading the Gospel/evangelizing (85 percent compared to 77 percent). Differences by Children in Household Respondents who have one or more children in their household are slightly less likely than those who have none to say that St. Mary of the Knobs Parish is good or excellent at spreading the Gospel/evangelizing (75 percent compared to 82 percent). 51

55 Two third of respondents (65 percent) say they have invited guests to attend St. Mary of the Knobs Parish in the last year. Have you invited guests to attend St. Mary of the Knobs during the last year? Percentage responding No 35% Yes 65% Differences by Involvement Respondents who are not involved in parish ministries or activities are less likely than those who are involved to say that they have invited guests to attend St. Mary of the Knobs during the last year (56 percent compared to 70 percent). Differences by Generation Respondents from the pre-vatican II Generation are more likely that those from other generations to say that they have invited guests to attend St. Mary of the Knobs during the past year (42 percent compared to 34 percent). 52

56 Comparisons to Previous Survey In 2007, St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church conducted a study of parishioners, including interviews and a survey instrument. CARA included several questions from the 2007 survey to measure change over time. Below is a comparison of the 2007 and 2013 responses. Compared to 2007, respondents are more likely to say that they have invited someone to attend St. Mary of the Knobs Parish during the last year. Respondents are also less likely to have had a child be active in religious education programs at the parish now than they were six years ago. Otherwise, there are very few differences in responses from 2007 to 2013: respondents are about as likely in 2013 as they were in 2007 to say that the parish challenges them to give their time, talent, and treasure, to have grown spiritually as a result of being at the parish, and their children have grown spiritually as a result of being at the parish. 53

57 Priorities for Community Outreach Nine out of ten responding parishioners (90 percent) say some or very much priority should be placed on charities such as homeless shelters and food banks. How much priority should the parish place on each of the following for its contributions to community outreach efforts? Percentage responding Somewhat or Very Very Only Charities such as homeless shelters and food banks * 90% 42% Groups that advocate for respect for life * Empowerment of the poor, such as job training and placement programs * Groups that advocate for the poor such as those lobbying for change or providing legal assistance * Addressing global issues through organizations like Catholic Relief Services * Adopting a parish in a developing country or in a disadvantaged area of the United States * *Non-response rate 20 percent or more. More than three out of four respondents say outreach to groups that advocate for respect for life (78 percent) and outreach providing empowerment of the poor (76 percent) should be some or very much a priority for the parish. About six in ten respondents say groups that advocate for the poor (62 percent) and those addressing global issues through organizations like Catholic Relief Services (59 percent) should have some or very much priority. Only half of respondents from St. Mary of the Knobs (51 percent) say adopting a parish in a developing country or disadvantaged area of the US should be given some or very much priority. 54

58 Differences by Generation Respondents from the pre-vatican II Generation are more likely than those from other generations to prioritize each of the given groups and causes for the parish. However, this difference is especially noticeable for groups that advocate for respect for life while 78 percent of respondents in the Pre-Vatican II Generation think this should somewhat or very much be a priority for the parish, that figure drops to 60 percent of Vatican II Generation respondents and 57 percent of Post-Vatican II/Millennial Generation respondents. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% How much priority should the parish place on each of the following for its contributions to community outreach efforts? Percentage responding "somewhat" or "very" by generation 78% 81% 81% 76% 78% 75% 77% 60% 57% Groups that advocate for respect for life Empowerment of the Groups that advocate for poor, such as job training the poor such as those and placement programs lobbying for change or providing legal assistance Pre-Vatican II Vatican II Post-Vatican II and Millenial 55

59 Volunteering and Impediments to Involvement Eight out of ten respondents (82 percent) say that the parish has challenged them to give their time talents and treasure in support of the Lord s mission (not shown in the table). How much do the following prevent you from volunteering more for the parish? Percentage responding Somewhat or Very much Very much Only Your busy schedule or lack of time* 81% 44% Already volunteering as much as you d like* Not being sure who to contact* Not having been personally invited* Not being aware of parish needs* Being a caretaker for someone* 19 9 Health problems or a disability* 18 9 Already volunteering for the parish school* 14 7 Lack of child care* 14 5 Problems with transportation* 9 4 Only living in this area seasonally* 5 3 *Non-response rate 20 percent or more. Eight out of ten respondents (81 percent) say that their busy schedule or lack of time somewhat or very much prevents them from volunteering more for the parish. Over half of respondents (53 percent) say that they are already volunteering as much as they would like and this prevents them from volunteering more for the parish. Over one third of respondents (37 percent) give not being sure who to contact and not having been personally invited as reasons for not volunteering more at the parish. Three out of ten respondents (29 percent) say not being aware of parish needs prevents them from volunteering more. One out of five or fewer responding parishioners say being a caretaker for someone (19 percent), health problems for a disability (18 percent), already volunteering for the parish school (14 percent) or lack or child care (14 percent) prevents them. 56

60 Differences by Generation One in five respondents from the Pre-Vatican II Generation (19 percent) say that problems with transportation very much prevents them from volunteering more, compared to no respondents from the Vatican II Generation and one percent of respondents from the Post- Vatican II Generation. Four out of ten respondents from the Pre-Vatican II Generation (39 percent) say they are already volunteering as much as they would like and this very much prevents them from volunteering more compared to three out of ten from the Vatican II Generation (29 percent) and two out of ten from the Post-Vatican II Generation (20 percent). 57

61 Stewardship More than four in five respondents (87 percent) evaluate the efforts of St. Mary of the Knobs to manage parish finances as good or excellent. About the same proportion evaluates parish efforts to promote responsible stewardship among parishioners as good or excellent (88 percent) and agree that the parish has challenged them to give their time, talents and treasure in support of the Lord s mission (82 percent) (not shown in the table). Please evaluate parish efforts to manage parish finances. Percentage responding Excellent 37% Good 50% Fair 9% Poor 4% Over one third of respondents (33 percent) evaluate parish efforts to manage finances as excellent. One out of ten responding parishioners (9 percent) evaluates these efforts as fair. One out of twenty respondents (4 percent) evaluates these efforts as poor. There are few significant differences between groups in the ways they evaluate parish finances. 58

62 Appendix I: Datasheet

63 Parish Life Survey for St. Mary of the Knobs Parish Floyds Knobs, Indiana Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate The survey below was distributed in-pew to Mass attendees at St. Mary of the Knobs Parish over one weekend in February In all, there were 599 valid responses. Below are the percentage responses for each item, calculated out of 100 percent, as well as the percentage of all respondents that did not respond to that question, separately calculated out of 100 percent for clarity of comparison (marked NR for non-response). Please use these responses for questions =Poor 3=Good 2=Fair 4=Excellent Please evaluate these aspects of parish life NR < St. Mary of the Knobs Parish overall Sense of community within the parish < Masses and liturgies in general Vision provided by parish leaders Promotion of responsible stewardship among parishioners Efforts to educate parishioners in the faith Efforts to promote social justice Spreading the Gospel/evangelizing Please evaluate the following areas of faith formation NR St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic School RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Children s faith formation programs Youth ministry Faith formation for adults Bible study Retreats Sacramental preparation programs Evaluate parish outreach to the following groups NR Families Children (age 12 or younger) Teens (ages 13 to 17) Single young adults (ages 18 to 35) Married young adults (ages 18 to 35) Adults (ages 36 to 64) Senior citizens (age 65 and older) Those divorced or separated Those who are grieving Single parents Those sick or homebound Parishioners in financial need New parishioners Visitors and guests Please evaluate these areas of worship in general NR Hospitality or sense of welcome Music overall The music group at the Mass you regularly attend Song selection People s participation < Readers/lectors Homilies Confession/ Reconciliation 59