We Have Our Work Cut Out for Us

Joe Paprocki Newsworthy

arch_logo_120This is nothing that we didn’t already know, but a new 2010 survey (8000 respondents) compiled for the strategic planning process of the Archdiocese of Chicago identifies some key challenges that we face in the areas of evangelization and catechesis. Here are just a few findings (a complete summary is forthcoming)…

  • Most Catholics who leave the faith do so by age 24. Further, in our survey, the one factor that correlated by far the most strongly with the frequency of Mass attendance as an adult was regular Mass attendance as a teenager. Those who regularly attended Mass as teenagers were the most likely to regularly attend Mass as an adult.
  • With respect to evangelization, keeping our teenagers engaged in the faith has to be a high priority in our efforts of evangelization. We know that youth groups have shown to be a good way of keeping teenagers engaged, and the survey gives us some insights on what teenagers liked and disliked about Catholic youth activities, as well as what sorts of things might make them more interested in participating. Giving teens real responsibility in the life of the Church and providing significant service opportunities seem to be important ways to keep them involved in the life of the Church.
  • The majority of Catholics feel at least somewhat ill-equipped regarding the passing on of their knowledge of the faith, although most Catholics seem to understand the basic concepts.
  • Even more significantly, gaps occur for Catholics in the transition between knowledge and conviction – in other words, they know what the teachings are but they do not necessarily believe them.
  • Catechists (in Catholic schools and in Religious Education Programs) are committed Catholics, but there are gaps in their knowledge, beliefs, and practice as well.
  • We need to find ways to foster lifelong learning about the Catholic faith through more active inclusion of faith concepts in the forums accessed by most Catholics (e.g., homilies, adult sacramental preparation, etc.).
  • We should identify opportunities to engage the hearts of Catholics as they mature in their spiritual lives and assist them in appropriating their beliefs.
  • We should identify ways to improve the consistency of our teaching and formation about the life of faith (possible examples including better training and online modules).

Here is the memorandum from the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago with regards to this survey.

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About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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2 Comments

  1. This stuff is always interesting. It’s like trying to turn a supertanker, there’s so much inertia to overcome. I don’t see any way to get it done except for motivated adults to catechize themselves to an adult’s understanding, and then get into the classroom to catechize the young ‘uns.

    Lay Catholics can’t wait around for the Church to superintend this.

    Reply

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