Diocese asks parishioners for full survey participation open through Easter
By Tami S. Scott
Editor
The Diocese of Syracuse is working in collaboration with the non-profit organization, Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), to gather survey data completed by priests and parishioners that will help guide and grow our journey of faith and community. The survey program, Called for More, requests full anonymous participation for the best and most accurate results.
Starting Ash Wednesday, March 5, parishioners will be given online access to what is called the “Disciple Maker Index (DMI),” the parishioners portion of the program designed to take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Respondents have time to complete the questionnaire through Easter, and it doesn’t have to be done in one sitting. You can answer a few questions at a time, save your responses and go back to them later. There are no essays or open-ended questions, simply multiple choice, closed-ended, and rating scales.
If you don’t have access to a computer, paper surveys will also be available. Each parish has a point person with whom you can connect to get a better understanding of the process, should you have more questions.
This initiative is specifically for the diocese to gain insight that will lead to happier and healthier priests, thriving parishes and ongoing diocesan clarity.
“The overall goal of the Called for More program is to invite both clergy and laity to become more engaged in parish life a) by examining the gifts and talents of those who serve in our parishes and b) surveying the needs of our parishioners,” Bishop Douglas J. Lucia said.
“We recognize that a lot has changed in the world since 2020,” added Father John Manno, vicar for clergy and pastor of Holy Family in Fairmount. “By engaging in the Called for More program, we gain valuable insight into the leadership abilities of our clergy and their preferences and passions for pastoral ministry. We get valuable information from our lay faithful about their relationship with Jesus and how their discipleship is fostered in their local parish community.”
Fr. Manno said his overall hope from this initiative will be a “new Pentecost” for the diocesan family. “I really see the Holy Spirit’s hand in all of this.”
Bishop desires the same: for the program to “shake us, as Church, out of our complacency.”
“I think it is too easy for us to just go with the trends of our society rather than to really engage in gospel living in our daily lives,” Bishop said. “In the long run, I am looking for vibrant faith communities served by pastoral teams [that consist] of clergy, laity and religious.”
When all data is analyzed — from both the priests’ and parishioners’ surveys — Fr. Manno said it will be helpful for the diocese in regard to placement of priests “in the sense that we can hopefully match parishes and priests for an optimal pastoral experience for the priest and the parishioners.”
DMI information will be shared with clergy at the annual Clergy Convocation in September. Afterward, it is expected to be disseminated to parishioners and used as a tool for parish leadership to find and celebrate what’s already done well and identify areas that need improvement.
“One of the things that is very clear to me is how much the people of God love their parish communities,” said Fr. Manno. “So, I would say to them, out of love for your parish, participate in this survey as it will be so beneficial for all of us.”
