Monday, June 10, 2024

National Study to Probe Reasons for Drop in Cath. Mass Attendance; Findings to Assist Leaders Understand Recent Sunday Drop

 The National Center for Pastoral Research (NCPR) will soon begin a study of reported reasons why people who continue to affiliate as Catholics do not participate regularly in Sunday Mass, The Catholic Weeekly website reporrts today (June 10, 2024). 


Titled "Absent from the Table," he national study will raise questions aboutt the contemporary religious practice and beliefs of Catholics in Australia, and the place of the Eucharist in their spiritual lives. 


The findings will assist pastoral leaders to better understand the self--understanding of these Catholics, identify how their expression of Catholic identity may have changed, and suggest responses and strategies for seeking to encourage participation in this primary act of worship.Previous studies that have been conducted in this field suggest that there are multiple reasons why Catholics do not attend Mass, including personal beliefs, dissatisfacrtion with church practices, and competing obligations.


NCPR director Trudy Dantis will lead the two--year project alongside her team, including senior researcher Stephen Reid. 


"The first stage of the project , a national survey, will seek participants through dioceses, parishes, schools, support agencies, Catholic universities, and other Catholic organizations and groups," Dr. Reid said. 


A second stage will involve a collection of more in--depth information using interviews. A report of the findings of the project will be completed in November 2025. 

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