Living as a Catholic
For this expression, parishioners self-reported a frequency of Often (53%) in this area of discipleship behavior. Based on their responses about Living as a Catholic, they most often express their discipleship in the following ways: examining your conscience, attending Mass on Saturday evenings or Sundays, and celebrating religious holidays, feasts, and festivals through Mass or other special rituals. While there are many ways to live as a Catholic, these represent some of the parishioners' most frequent discipleship behaviors.
Behavioral Statements on Living as a Catholic
Below is a summary of parish responses ranked from the highest average frequency to the lowest.
| Statements Ranked According to Avg Frequency (0-100% Scale) | Avg Frequency (%) |
Almost Always/Always |
|
| I attend Mass on Saturday evenings or Sundays. | 87% |
| I celebrate religious holidays, feasts, and festivals by participating in Mass or other special religious rituals. | 87% |
Often |
|
| I examine my conscience. | 72% |
| I go to Mass on holy days of obligation. | 70% |
| I ask Mary, the Mother of God, for guidance, comfort, and help. | 55% |
| When someone shares about a hardship or struggle, I offer to pray with or for them. | 50% |
Sometimes |
|
| I celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation. | 50% |
| In prayer, I ask the saints to help and support me. | 42% |
| I pray with traditional Catholic devotional prayer forms. | 40% |
| I look to the lives of the saints for inspiration and wisdom for my own life. | 39% |
| I use religious objects or images when I pray. | 38% |
| I encourage my family and friends to celebrate the sacraments. | 34% |
| When the opportunity is available, I spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament in prayer and adoration. | 26% |
What does the expression of Living as a Catholic include?
As Catholic disciples, we embrace and integrate Catholic traditions and practices into our lives. In celebrating the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we open ourselves to God's grace and strengthen our relationship with God and each other. Inspired by the witness of Mary, the Mother of God, and the saints, our commitment to Catholic spiritual practices enhances our reliance on God in order to live as missionary disciples.
Reflection
Note: If you prefer to type in your responses, download the PDF version of your profile report where you will find a space under each question to type in your answers.
As you look at this area of Living as a Catholic, invite parish leaders to discuss:
What in these results affirms our parish's experience of discipleship? What surprises us?
What conclusions can we draw about our parish's general practice of discipleship in this area?
When we look at the highest and lowest ranked statements in this area, what does this say to us as a parish?
What are some aspects of "Living as a Catholic" that our parish would like to grow in the next year?
