What We Believe: Survey Results and Reflections
What We Believe: Survey Results and Reflections
Thank you to more then 650 parishioners who took our recent survey on key Catholic beliefs. Your responses gave us valuable insight into the strengths and needs of our parish’s faith formation. Below are the survey questions, the correct Catholic answers, the percentage of correct responses, and a brief summary of what we learned.
Survey Questions, Correct Answers, and Parish-Wide Results
|
# |
Question Summary |
Correct Answer |
% Correct |
|
1 |
The Church possesses fullness of truth |
True |
63.4% |
|
2 |
Church teaching change with the times? |
False |
63.2% |
|
3 |
Church gets its authority From Christ, passed down apostolic succession? |
True |
85.5% |
|
4 |
Jesus’ presence in Eucharist vs. in group of believers? |
False, different type of “presence” |
45.0% |
|
5 |
Do individuals interpret Scripture on their own if guided by the Spirit? |
False, interpretation belongs to the Church |
51.2% |
|
6 |
What is the purpose of the Church? |
B-To preserve The Faith and offer sacraments |
84.7% |
|
7 |
What is the priest’s role? |
C-To act in the person of Christ in the sacraments |
82.2% |
|
8 |
Teaching on Scripture? |
B-Interpreted within Tradition and teaching of Church |
70.6% |
|
9 |
Nature of the Eucharist? |
B- Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity |
86.9% |
|
10 |
How Saved? |
B-Faith and good works |
76.4% |
|
11 |
Purpose of Mass? |
C-Offer the Sacrifice and forgiveness of sins |
77.2% |
|
12 |
Who has authority to interpret Scripture? |
B-The Magisterium (Pope and bishops) |
64.8% |
What We Learned
Strengths:
- Most parishioners understand the Church’s authority, the mission of the Church, and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
- We scored especially well on questions about apostolic authority (Q3) and the sacramental role of the priest (Q6 & Q7).
Areas for Growth:
- Many respondents are confused about Jesus’ Real Presence in the Eucharist (Q4), even while affirming it in other questions.
- Questions about who can interpret Scripture (Q5 & Q12) and whether Church teaching can change (Q2) revealed uncertainty, especially among younger respondents.
What’s Next:
This survey helps us tailor future formation efforts. In the coming months, we plan to focus on:
- Teaching more deeply about the Eucharist and the Mass
- Clarifying the role of the Church’s Magisterium
- Offering more opportunities for intergenerational learning and conversation
Together, we’ll continue growing in our understanding and love of the Catholic faith.
In Christ, Fr. Joe Connelly