Marlene Mulford, chancellor and director of pastoral planning for the diocese, said the new survey is a follow-up to a 2012 survey that asked fallen-away Catholics to explain why they were no longer attending Mass regularly.
"The Lapsed and Inactive Catholic Survey was conducted for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois by Benedictine University in November and December of 2012," Mulford said. "Before releasing the results of this survey, Benedictine University and Bishop (Thomas John) Paprocki want to complete the Active Catholic Survey."
When completed, the study results will be used to help parishes enhance their service to the people they are privileged to serve, Mulford said.
The confidential survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete and provides an opportunity for comment. Respondents must be 18 years of age or older and be an active member of one of the diocese's 130 parishes.
Mulford said the results of both surveys will be used as tools for "Strategic Planning for Growth," a diocesan-wide effort first unveiled by Bishop Paprocki at the annual Priests Convocation in September 2013. The plan was commissioned by the bishop after an analysis of annual "October Counts" showed a 30 percent decline in Mass attendance in parishes since 1996.
"October Counts" are actual head-counts taken during weekend Masses at parishes in the diocese every October to determine how many parishioners actually attend Mass. In the Springfield diocese, October Counts have been taken since the mid-1990s.
Mulford said the information about the survey will be available on the diocesan Facebook page (www.facebook.com/diospringfield) and other social media or interested Catholics can access it directly through the Benedictine University website at www.ben.edu/catholicsurvey.
For more information, contact Mulford at (217) 698-8500, ext. 108, or email her at . Or contact Benedictine University at (630) 829-6460.
For information on current and past October Counts, visit the diocesan website at www.dio.org/chancellor/October-count.