Weekly Column

This is a summary of the survey carried out by the parish branch of the KSC at all masses on 7/8 November 2009.  The purpose was to ascertain possible reasons for the disappointingly low membership to date and to canvass opinion as to any unmet needs that an organisation such as the KSC could or should meet within the parish.

A one-page questionnaire was distributed to all men attending Mass over the weekend.  About 250 questionnaires were distributed before Mass and 46 (18%) were returned immediately afterwards.  There were 23 new contact details offered.  Both these figures were higher than anticipated, which is in itself encouraging.  By and large the responses were confined to the printed multiple choice options and little was offered by way of open responses under the heading "other".  This may be due to the limited time available for thinking during the Mass itself.   What does seem clear is that the men of the parish do see a positive need for an organisation such as the Knights to be active within Our Lady of Lourdes parish, and certain unmet needs were identified.  (Women parishioners also exhibited a degree of interest in such an organisation).

Some figures deserve highlighting:

1. Youth work and the involvement of young people were recurrent themes.
2. The current profile of the Knights was too low to attract new members.
3. Religious reflection scored highly as an activity to be encouraged.
4. There was only limited support for a women’s section as such.

[For ease of reference the multiple choice options are first summarised using the original format.  This is overlaid on the survey form itself, whose wording is reproduced below.  So, for example 22 of the 46 responses indicated that fund raising is seen as a key activity of the Knights].

Text of Survey Form, with Responses Added as Numbers

"There is a new branch of the Knights in the Parish but recruitment has been slower than hoped for.  This survey is intended to assess the reasons for this and the likelihood of creating a thriving branch or "Council".  Please complete and return to a collector immediately after Mass.

What I Know About the Knights

Please mark the activity that you believe most closely reflects the Knights' activities
22=Fund raising  30=Voluntary work  8=Sports or Social 20=Religious reflection
11=Social networking  8=Youth work  19=Helping the priests
4=Other (please specify)...[See separate summary below]

Why I Don't Join

Please mark any reason for which you have not sought to join the Knights
3=I don't join things  14=I don't know what the Knights are  24=I don't have the time
2=None of my friends are in it  2=I can't afford the money
0 =My wife/partner won't let me  0 = I am not very religious
1=I don't go in for funny handshakes  1= It is too male oriented
8=Other (please specify)...[See separate summary below]

What the Knights Should Try to Do

Please mark what you would like an organisation like the Knights to do
25=Fund raising  29=Voluntary work  12=Sports  10=Social  18=Religious reflection
11=Social networking  15=Youth work  13=Have a youth section  
4=Have a women's section  21=Helping the priests and parish
3=Other (please specify)...[See separate summary]
Your name and contact details (optional) 23 names were given.
Queries or responses can also be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (or simply hand this completed questionnaire to any collector after Mass)".

CONTENT OF "OPEN" RESPONSES

What I Know About the Knights (4 open responses re perception of current activities)

1. Counselling
2. I have never heard of the Knights]
3. [Most of the above]
4. Visiting the sick and unable people.

Why I Don't Join (8 open responses re present low membership)

1. I am a full time carer
2. I already do the things I want to do
3. I don't want to commit myself
4. I am already a Catenian
5. Membership [is] for older men
6. I am in the Catenians
7. The Knights expect too much in organising and leaving it all to one person once he/she has taken responsibility
8. I am a member of the Catenians and was never asked to join the Knights.

What the Knights Should Try to Do (3 open responses re unmet needs etc)

1. Advertise more so that we can understand what the Knights are about
2. [I don't know enough about what the Knights already do to comment]
3. Visiting the unable/sick people.

Liam O'Hanlon
9 November 2009
For further information about the survey itself or issues arising from it please e-mail either This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Many thanks to all who took the time to listen to the speakers or to return completed questionnaires.