Fr. Jack Sewell

Homily - November 27, 2011

Eight weeks ago we took a bold step in the life of our parish community.  During the month of October, we took the Gallup Member Engagement survey which we had nicknamed the “Seeds” Survey after reflecting on Jesus’ parable of the seeds falling on good soil.  About 10 days ago, I along with members of our parish staff and survey task force met with the representatives from Gallup to review our parish report.  It will take us a few more months to come to a fuller understanding but I want to tell you this weekend the story that is emerging about Our Lady of Fatima.

The story begins with the response to the survey itself.  Our average Mass count that month was around 1800 people – adults and children.  1,220 people over the age of 18 completed the survey – that’s 70% -- virtually every adult in attendance that month.  Why such an overwhelming response?  Based on feedback and comments that I and the survey task force received – it is because of a deep desire to see this parish continue to become a more faithful community -- a community that prays deeply, worships enthusiastically and reflects the Gospel at all times.  Surveys were still being completed up to the deadline.  As I stated back in October, this survey was designed to measure the spiritual progress of our parish by asking different questions, questions many of you have never been asked before by your parish leaders.  Your answers tell a story about our parish that is not readily apparent by the traditional measurements of Mass counts, registered households or offertory collection.

Like the flight attendants say, “we know you have a choice of airlines, and we thank you for flying XYZ.”  You’ve made choice to come to this parish.  Perhaps it is because of geography, or convenient Mass times.   Perhaps it’s because of programs that support you or a family member in faith or maybe it’s because of friendships you have built here.  Whatever the reason – our parish is vitally important to our lives as Christians.

Jesus said as much himself, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am in their midst.”  Today we hear the opening words of St. Paul’s letter – a letter not written to John or Mary, but to the Corinthians – a “community of believers” to whom Paul feels a deep spiritual connection and sense of belonging – even though he is physically separated from them.  In the passage today from the beginning of his first letter to them, he writes of the “grace of God that was bestowed on YOU in Christ Jesus…the testimony of Christ that was AMONG YOU. Community, in its worship, fellowship and service is not optional for Christians.  The community of believers is essential for spiritual growth.  Gallup’s research confirms the principle that “belonging leads to believing.”  But Gallup didn’t invent it – it comes from our Lord who first called us into community.

The survey tells us something about that level of belonging here at our parish in San Clemente by measuring two elements of our spiritual energy – member engagement and spiritual commitment.  Spiritual commitment refers to the degree to which our faith impacts our daily life from prayer and worship, to development of God-given gifts to inner peace.  Our responses reflect a strong level of spiritual commitment….higher that the national norm for Catholics as well as for all denominations combined among those who have taken this survey.

Engagement addresses the level of participation in the life of the parish.  It addresses such things as understanding expectations for membership, feeling cared for by parish leaders, and recognizing opportunities to grow and share our unique gifts.  While our responses reflect an engagement level higher than the norm for Catholic respondents it is lower than the national norm for all denominations combined.

The big picture is what Gallup calls the Member Engagement Index.  It describes the membership of a community in three ways.  The first group is the Engaged.  These are parishioners who have a strong spiritual and emotional connection to the parish – people who are more likely to give of their time, talent and treasure in sacrificial ways, and more likely to invite others to be a part of our parish.  Our Engaged Member index is 21%.

The second group is the Not Engaged.  These parishioners may worship regularly but the connection may be more social than spiritual – they give moderately of their spiritual and material gifts, are less likely to participate in enrichment opportunities or invite someone to the parish.  Overall, these members are satisfied with parish life but not enthusiastic like their engaged brothers and sisters.  Our Not Engaged Member index is 48%.

The final group is Actively Disengaged.  These members are not satisfied with their experience of parish life.  It is unlikely that they will invite and may even speak negatively about their experience.  Our Actively Disengaged Member index is 31%.  A summary of these results will be available as you leave Mass today.

The good news is that 2/3 of our parish membership is satisfied with their experience as parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima. The challenging news is that less than a quarter can say they are enthusiastic.  While individually we are spiritually committed, many of us have not yet found meaningful ways to express and live out that spirituality in the midst of parish life.  While our engagement indicators are lower than we would want, it is essential to know that all Christian churches today are facing the same challenge  -- the challenge to engage their members in such a way that they are as St. Paul writes, “united in the same mind and in the same purpose.”  Christianity is not an individual sport.

Again, the survey is a modern day tool that helps tell the story of our parish.  It’s not a test in which we passed the spiritual commitment chapter and failed the engagement chapter.  It’s the starting point for our conversation and our work.  Our responses mean that, like every community of faith, beginning with the church in Corinth, we have room to grow as disciples and as the Body of Christ.  Paul wrote his letters to address specific problems within the Church.  In fact, he was writing to the Corinthians because they were arguing among themselves about whose gifts were more important.  Later in this letter, we hear Paul’s powerful image of the body and the importance of all its members.  So he begins the letter by reminding them that they are a gifted community as we are a gifted community – they (and we) do not lack for any spiritual gift.  In the next verse he pleads with them “to be in agreement with no divisions – be united in the same mind and the same purpose.”

What is Paul really saying here?  Christians who BELONG to a concrete community ….who participate in the life of that community demonstrate through their behavior and attitudes a deeper commitment to the faith.  Church matters which means community matters.  And while community can be difficult – while we may find it hard to agree on all things, we must never lose sight of our common purpose.   I have a feeling that Paul would like the Gallup survey because he addressed many of the same issues.  He challenged church leaders and church members.  Paul knew the importance of engaged communities for the spreading of the Gospel.  Gallup helps parishes like ours understand the same connection.  Using contemporary research we have a better understanding of the characteristics of an engaged church and how to build it.  By strengthening engagement in our parish which already demonstrates a strong spiritual commitment we can unleash what Gallup calls a “powerhouse of potential for fulfilling our mission.”

Today is the first Sunday of Advent.  A new Church year begins. This is a season of promise…of new beginnings – word made flesh – the Incarnation.  Our next step will be to listen to one another – focus more deliberately, and discuss more intentionally on the significance of our responses.  I ask for your prayers, participation and openness as we identify concrete actions.  Before Lent begins in late February, you will have the opportunity to provide a deeper understanding of your hopes and expectations for your relationship with your parish.  More importantly, you will have the opportunity to actively participate in increasing our level of engagement and belonging, or in St. Paul’s words, to become “united in the same mind and the same purpose.”  I look forward to continuing the journey of spiritual discovery and growth with you as seeds in the vineyard of the Lord at Our Lady of Fatima Parish.