Adult Faith Formation Survey

On February 23, 2009, an Adult Faith Formation Survey was sent by email to 1486 parishioners.  It was the first time we had used a computerized survey program.  The Survey ended on March 17, 2009 and at that time there were 469 responses, which is considered excellent in the survey business. 

The Adult Faith Formation Committee (AFF), Sr. Barbara Rund, (Staff Liaison), Larry and Carol Conley, Susan Lalain, Ron Leinweber, Mia Materka, Sam Nouhan (CoChair), Patrick Reidy, Tom and Callie Schmidt, and Mary Ellen Weber (CoChair) met in April and May to review and study the survey results.  Below are their findings.

Question 1:  Are you registered as a member at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish?  The response count was 456 (97.2%) said “yes” and 13 (2.8%) said “no”.  It is clear that the Survey will definitely represent the needs and desires of the members of St. Hugo.

Question 2:  How many years have you been a member of St. Hugo of the Hills Parish?  The 387 individuals who responded to the Survey have been members of the parish for over 5 years.  At the same time, there are 87 individuals who responded that have been in the parish less than 5 years.  As you can see from the table below all groupings have been represented.

Question 3:  Do you usually attend Sunday Mass at St. Hugo?  The response count was 415 (88.5%) said “yes” and 54 (11.5%) said “no”.  This question provided an opportunity for comments.  The reasons for not attending Sunday Mass at St. Hugo’s is due to traveling, winters in warmer climates, summer vacations, or visiting neighboring parishes.  A few individuals mentioned time constraints and work responsibilities or they were not a parishioner.

Question 4:  What time do you usually attend Mass at St. Hugo?  The results of the first choice in Sunday Mass times for those who completed this Survey are:  155 individuals attend the 10:00 AM  Mass; 89 individuals attend the 5:00 PM Saturday Evening Mass; 77 individuals attend the 12:00 PM noon Mass; 61 individuals attend the 8:00 AM Mass; 29 individuals have no set time for Mass; and the last two Mass times are tied with 28 individuals attending the 7:00 AM Mass and 5:00 PM Sunday Evening Mass.

Question 5:  Do you have children currently attending St. Hugo School and/or the Afterschool Religious Education/Youth Ministry Programs?  The majority of those who have completed this Survey do not have children in the School or the Afterschool Religious Education/Youth Ministry Programs.

Question 6:  How aware are you of your calling as a Catholic adult to continue growing in your faith?  Of the 469 individuals who answered this question 364 are aware and attempt to grow in their faith.  Of the 11 comments made, several expressed frustration that they were not doing more to grow in faith and indicated the challenge of busy schedules.  A suggestion was made for the parish to provide on-line programs, papers or email as an alternative for busy people.

Question 7:  Choose no more that three approaches you take to grow in faith.  The top three for the first choice are:  Regular Mass attendance; Daily prayer, meditation, devotions; and parish ministry.  The top three for the second choice are:  Video presentations; “Theology on Tap;” and go on pilgrimages.  The top three for the third choice are: Retreats; Bulletin articles, etc.; and Serve in ministries.  Of the 42 comments made, several expressed the types of devotions and classes they find beneficial. 

Question 8:  Are the adult faith formation programs and opportunities at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish meeting your needs?  The response count was 343 (73.1%) said “yes”, and 126 (26.9%) said “no.”  Of the 136 comments, it is evident that interest exists on Adult Faith Formation.  The committee became aware that we need to be astute in trying new ways to reach and build community among various groups of adults.  Several identified reasons why the parish was not meeting their needs:  scheduling issues with work, schedule on a different evening than Thursday, time of adult events, accommodations need to be made with families with small children, and there is nothing for singles or young adults.  A few suggestions were:  offer programs like RCIA for Catholics, School parents need opportunities to get together and grow; and offer a men’s faith group.

Question 9:  Choose no more than three formats that you like to participate in for adult faith formation programs and opportunities.  The top three for the first choice are:  guest speaker on a specific topic; bulletin articles and inserts; and class series on various topics.  The top three for the second choice are:  guest speaker on a specific topic; parish missions; and a class series on various topics.  The top three for the third choice are: a guest speaker on a specific topic; parish missions; and lecture.  Of the 33 comments made, several expressed the need for bible study, update on the Catholic faith, movie nights, or family orientated programs.

Question 10:  Choose no more than three topics you are most interested in learning about regarding “Knowledge of the Faith/Doctrine, Teaching, Scripture.”  The top three for the first choice are:  Jesus Christ; The Scriptures; and Current Church teachings.  The top three for the second choice are:  The Scriptures; Current Church teaching; Church History and Tradition.  The top three for the third choice are: Current Church teachings; Philosophical and theological foundation of Catholic faith; and the Scriptures. 

Question 11:  Choose no more than three (3) topics, you are most interested in learning about regarding “Liturgical Life/Worship, Sacraments.”  The top three for the first choice are:  the Sunday Readings, Church doctrine about the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, and Active participation in the liturgy.  The top three for the second choice are:  Church doctrine about the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, Sacramental life of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours and praying the Psalms.  The top three for the third choice are: Church doctrine about the Eucharist and the other Sacraments, how to prepare for my funeral, and Active participation in the liturgy.

Question 12:  Choose no more than three (3) topics, you are most interested in learning about regarding “Moral Formation/Morality, Justice, Lifestyle.”  The top three for the first choice are:  developing and following a Christian conscience in personal, professional, social life; Moral teachings of the church (ten Commandments, the Beatitudes); and dignity, destiny, freedom, and responsibility of the human person.  The top three for the second choice are:  developing and following a Christian conscience in personal, professional, social life; living a holy life; and moral teachings of the Church and recent developments..  The top three for the third choice are:  living a holy life; developing and following a Christian conscience in personal, professional, social life; and moral teachings of the Church (Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes).

Question 13:  Choose no more than three (3) topics, you are most interested in learning about regarding “Prayer/Devotion, Contemplation, Retreats.”  The top three for the first choice are:  developing a personal prayer life and spiritual reflection; prayer; Catholic tradition of mysticism and contemplation.  The top three for the second choice are:  developing a personal prayer life and spiritual reflection; sharing prayer with others (family prayer, small prayer groups, etc.); Catholic tradition of mysticism and contemplation.  The top three for the third choice are:  prayer; popular piety and devotion (rosary, stations of the cross, holy hour, etc.); and Catholic tradition of mysticism and contemplation.

Question 14:  Choose no more than three (3) topics, you are most interested in learning about regarding “Communal Life/Strengthening Relationships.”  The top three for the first choice are:  marriage and family life; personal and spiritual growth toward Christian maturity; and Christian parenting.  The top three for the second choice are:  Christian parenting; marriage and family life; values and Christian virtues that foster interpersonal relationships and civic responsibility.  The top three for the third choice are:  rights, responsibilities, and role of the Christian faithful; values and Christian virtues that foster interpersonal relationships and civic responsibility; and serving the mission of the Church through activity in the parish.

Question 15:  Choose no more than three (3) topics, you are most interested in learning about regarding “Missionary Spirit/Living and Spreading the Good News.”  The top three for the first choice are:  Applying the Church’s moral and social teaching in personal, family, personal, family, professional, cultural, and social life; serving those in need; and responding to God’s call.  The top three for the second choice are:  serving those in need; promoting the common good; Applying the Church’s moral and social teaching in personal, family, personal, family, professional, cultural, and social life.  The top three for the third choice are:  promoting the common good; social action issues (immigration, the homeless, crisis pregnancy, etc.); and serving those in need.

Question 16:  What are the top three (3) obstacles you have in attending an adult faith formation program?  The top three for the first choice are:  general lack of time, time of the event, and baby sitting for younger children.  The top three for the second choice are:  time of the event, general lack of time, and no interest in the topic.  The top three for the third choice are:  no interest in the topic, time of the event, and general lack of time.

Question 17:  How could the parish help you to overcome any obstacles mentioned in the previous question?  There were 153 responses to this question.  The following is a flavor of some of the comments:  use the internet for adult courses and parish information; shorten the number of weeks for programs; provide childcare and/or programs for the whole family at the same time; provide programs on the weekends or the evenings; guest speakers; vary days, times and format of programs; it is my responsibility to overcome obstacles; repeat program a second time; and several persons were unsure.

Question 18:  Choose no more than three (3) topics you are interested in that target the following groups.  The top three for the first choice are:  age-based groupings and/or age-specific topics are not important to me, parents of teens, and mature adults.  The top three for the second choice are:  parents of teens, college age, and mature adults.  The top three for the third choice are:  mature adults, age-based groupings and/or age-specific topics are not important to me, young singles and post-college.  There we 29 additional responses to this question.  The following is a flavor of some of the comments regarding groups:  what about the un-churched; stay-at-home moms; working moms; working dads; married (not so young) with young children; parent’s with young children; singles of all ages; gay and catholic; marriages in which spouses are different religions; seniors; adopted families; social opportunities with faith development for young families; and, families in general.

Question 19:  What is the best day for you to participate in adult formation opportunities?  The top three for the first choice are:  Sunday, Tuesday, and Monday.  The top three for the second choice are:  Wednesday, Tuesday, and Saturday.  The top three for the third choice are:  Thursday, Wednesday, and Friday.  There we 46 additional responses to this question.  The following is a flavor of some of the comments:  many said that their schedule changes all the time; take advantage of Sundays when we come to St. Hugo’s for Mass; during school hours; and everything is so fluid at this time.

Question 20:  What is the best time for you to participate in adult faith formation.  The top three for the first choice are:  after Mass, 7-9 PM, and 6-8 PM.  The top three for the second choice are:  6-8 PM, after Mass, and 7-9 PM.  The top three for the third choice are:  7-9 PM, 5-7 PM, an after Mass.  There we 33 additional responses to this question.  The following is a flavor of some of the comments:  my schedule is different every day and week; and many said they were stretched and did not have time.

Question 21:  Are you male or female?  The response count was 124 (26.4%) were “male”, and 345 (73.6%) were “female”.  As the AFF committee interprets the results of this Survey, they will take into account that 73.6% of the results has been recommended by the female population.

Question 22:  What is your age range?  The 401 people who responded to this Survey are between the ages of 30 through 60.  Of that group, 257 are between the ages of 40 and 50.

Question 23:  Do you use a computer with internet access?  The response count was 467 (99.6%) said “yes”, and 2 (0.4%) said “no”. 

Question 24:  Is there anything else you would like to share with us?  There were 97 responses to this question.  The following is a flavor of some of the comments:  gratitude for the Survey, the programs that are currently being offered, concern for our spiritual growth, and the opportunity to state needs; more attention to social justice; need recruiting fairs for ministry groups; Msgr. Tony’s slow-motion Mass; place a higher value on faith formation for adults; create a friendly and hospitable community; bring the Mass to younger crowds; use the internet; offer a “Mom’s & Tot’s” group; and some expressed a single concern over a particular issue.

Question 25:  Optional Information.  There were 302 individuals who skipped this question.  There were 167 individuals who responded to different areas of information.