Studies

Executive Summary

Results from the November, 2005, in-pew survey

The Diocese of Madison Parish Life Survey was designed by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University. The project was completed in March 2006. Parishes throughout the Diocese distributed the questionnaire to those attending the parish liturgies on a weekend in November 2005. To obtain a good response rate, the parish was asked to distribute the survey during the Masses that weekend and to collect them after about 12 minutes. Those attending Mass that weekend responded in-pew. The questionnaires were collected by the ushers, and completed questionnaires were sent to CARA for data entry. Most of the questions were derived from CARA’s database of nationally tested questions, with some designed specifically for the Diocese of Madison.

In all, there were 46,594 respondents. Two hundred fifty-one questionnaires returned by parishioners under age 18 were not used for analysis, leaving 46,343 valid respondents. This number includes 784 completed Spanish-language questionnaires as well as 60 completed Polish-language questionnaires. Appendix I contains the questionnaire with response frequencies for all adult respondents and Appendix II contains response frequencies for all Spanish-language respondents. Given that the large majority of Polish-language questionnaires are attributable to a single parish, a separate questionnaire with response frequencies is not included in this diocesan report.

The findings for each individual parish were returned to the parish by CARA in March 2006. Included were the response frequencies for the respondents at the parish, materials and information needed to write a self-study parish report, and a Self-Study Guide. CARA also returned the completed questionnaires to the parish, where all of the written responses to the open-ended question regarding the parish are to be transcribed and analyzed.

Major Findings

Major findings for the Diocese of Madison are summarized here. Findings for the Diocese overall are presented first, followed by those for parish life overall. Major findings for ministry and worship in a time of fewer priests are presented last.

Diocesan Findings

Almost nine in ten at least “somewhat agree” that they trust in the leadership of the Bishop, with just over four in ten agreeing “strongly” that they do.
Half agree “strongly” that the Bishop fulfills the responsibilities of his office, and more than half “strongly agree” that the Bishop is concerned about the people of the Diocese and their needs.
Madison respondents are most likely to say that the following diocesan ministries are “very” important: religious education for children and youth; ministry to the sick; and ministry to the elderly. At least seven in ten rate each of these ministries as “very” important to them.
Those ministries that are assigned relatively less importance include: evangelization; ministry to the imprisoned; ministry to recent immigrants, such as those from Latin America, Asia, and Africa; stewardship of resources; ministry to rural Catholics; and faith formation for adults. Fewer than half rate each of these ministries as “very” important.
Responses to the need or program on which the Diocese should most focus tend to highlight the need to foster more vocations, followed by needs related to formation and to outreach to specific groups within the Diocese.

Parish Findings

Generally, Madison Diocese respondents are pleased with their parishes. More than nine in ten rate their overall satisfaction with their parish as at least “good,” and over half rate it as “excellent.”
Nine in ten agree at least “somewhat” that they feel included in parish life, and two-thirds “strongly agree” that they feel included. The more involved with parish ministries or activities respondents are, the more likely they are to “strongly agree” that they feel included in parish life.
Respondents are particularly likely to give high evaluations to areas of parish life related to worship and Catholic education. About six in ten give an “excellent” rating to their parish’s Masses and liturgies overall and to their area Catholic school.
The areas of parish life least likely to receive high evaluations are those related to outreach and evangelization. A quarter or fewer give an “excellent” rating to outreach the following groups: the divorced or separated, single parents, single adults, Asians/Pacific Islanders, Africans, and inactive Catholics.
Those who completed the survey were especially likely to agree with the following about their parish: parish facilities are well-maintained; the sacraments and parish events are accessible to people with disabilities; the parish is open and welcoming; the parish meets their spiritual needs; and there is adequate space for parish needs. More than six in ten agree “strongly” with each of these statements.
Responses to the need or program on which the respondent’s parish should most focus tend to highlight outreach, spiritual formation and worship.

Ministry and Worship in a Time of Fewer Priests

To provide for ministry and worship in a time of fewer priests, half of Madison Diocese respondents “very much” support coordinating Mass schedules among neighboring parishes. Slightly fewer (just over four in ten) are as supportive of appointing a deacon, religious sister or brother, or lay person to administer a parish with a priest serving as a sacramental minister only.
Just over a third of respondents are “very much” in support of merging parishes to better meet ministry needs, and three in ten are as supportive of hiring business administers to assist pastors. One in ten respondents “very much” supports closing parishes.
Respondents are willing to travel an average of 10.8 miles to attend weekend Mass at a neighboring parish.
Half or more respondents are “very” willing to share religious education programs for children or youth, youth ministry programs, and faith formation for adults with other parishes in their area.
Furthermore, half of respondents from the Diocese of Madison are “very” willing to share a Catholic elementary school with other parishes in their area. Slightly fewer than half are as willing to share a Catholic high school.
Respondents are willing to travel an average of 11.3 miles to participate in a shared program or activity with an area parish.