HOMILY MESSAGE STUDY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Prepared for: Saints Simon and Jude
Prepared by: reed|group
Methodology
■ Two surveys were conducted over the span of about a year
– Survey A was conducted for approximately 4 months
– Survey B was conducted for approximately 8 months
■ To ensure that enough completed surveys were received, survey B was distributed
at all Masses (were selected people were the homilist) for two weekends in
December, 2016.
■ A total of 394 surveys were completed
– 186 Survey A
– 208 Survey B
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Executive Summary (1)
■ Respondents gave similar ratings for the homily being based on scripture
readings and being integrated with the Sunday celebration (90%
Excellent/ Good)
■ More than three quarters (82%) of respondents thought the homily
addressed their concerns
■ Eighty-five percent of people answering this question left with a clear
sense of something to do to improve their Christian life
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Executive Summary (2)
■ Almost all (93%) heard personal conviction in what the homilist was
saying
■ Being able to hear and understand the homilist does not seem to be a
problem for 94% of parishioners answering the questionnaire
■ Almost all homilists (92%) were able to hold the attention of the
respondents
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Executive Summary (3)
■ Overall, most respondents thought the message of the homily left them
inspired (85%)
■ Regarding the homily being clear and concise, 88% believed it was
■ Almost all (96%) respondents thought the homily was well integrated with
the Mass
■ Only 10% of respondents did not feel the homily was sufficiently based on
Scripture readings
■ Over three-quarters (83%) of respondents thought the homily helped
them understand the day’s Scripture readings
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Executive Summary (4)
■ Almost all (91%) respondents thought there was something they could
take from the homily and apply it to his/her life
■ Homilists were able to hold the attention of almost nine out of ten
respondents
■ Almost everyone (96%) could hear and understand the homilist
■ Eighty-eight percent of all respondents gave the homily a positive overall
rating (88% Excellent/ Good)
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Demographics
Gender n=382
61%
Marital Status n=385
Male
7%
Female
72%
5%
15%
Single
Married
Divorced
39%
Widowed
Age n=389
Yrs as Parishioner n=363
80.0
60.0
58.3
60.0
40.0
30.0
40.0
20.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Mean
Median
23.6
15.0
0.0
Mean
Median
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General Observations (1)
■ The survey mean age appears to be higher than the parish census
– This could show that the average age of people attending Mass is
higher
– Only 3 of 8 yes/no questions have statistically significant
differences based on age
■ Areas where homilists could show some improvement (based on
yes/no questions):
– Did the message leave you inspired?
– Was the homily clear and concise?
– Did the homily help your understanding of the day's Scripture
readings?
– Did the homilist hold your attention?
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General Observations (2)
■ Overall rating of homilies was lowest for single and married
respondents as well as those aged Teen - 34
– Keeping these demographics in mind when preparing
homilies could be helpful
■ Negative comments were given by almost one third of
respondents (30%). These items should be kept in mind not only
when preparing homilies but also when giving them
– Too long/ too many themes
– Didn't hold my attention/ hard to understand
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