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To: Pastors, administrators, parish and missions|
From:The Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta
Since 2015, the Archdiocese has requested annual counts of the number of people who attend weekend Masses during the month of October. This year that data is especially significant as we continue to measure the impact of COVID-19 on parish life. Even as I recognize the creativity with which you have ministered to the people of God throughout this pandemic via outdoor liturgies and such, so too do I encourage you to be creative in conducting these counts.
In order for us to have the most accurate data, please conduct the count over all October weekends. This includes October 3-4, October 10-11, October 17-18, and October 24-25. All weekend Mass counts may be recorded at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Oct2020Count. You will be able to indicate whether your church is following an altered Mass schedule this fall and enter online mass availability/attendance if applicable.
If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Miles in our Office of Planning and Research at jmiles@archatl.com or (404) 920-7852.
Preparing for counting Mass attendance
- Decide if you will use ushers or another designated team to take a precise count at each Mass over weekends in October.
- Decide how your team will track the Mass count, who will complete the form, and where the form will be left after Mass. Potential counting methods are listed below as suggestions.
- Discuss possibilities to track online Mass attendance with your IT support person.
Potential ways to conduct the Mass count. You may choose a method from the list below, or develop your own:
- Count during the homily (since everyone is seated and there is little movement at this time) or discretely between the homily and the offertory.
- Counts can be taken from the sides or back of each section(s).
- Someone could be designated to count the ministers in the sanctuary (priests, deacon, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, cantors, and so forth).
- Make a seat map and mark which seats are full or empty.
- Give every attendee a bulletin or handout, setting one aside for those who don’t take one.
- Count all people entering or leaving the sanctuary.
- Automatic people counters/heat cameras to measure all incoming and existing traffic at any given time.
- Dedicate a team of people to count all people entering and exiting the sanctuary or outdoor worship space.
- Phone apps or physical counting tools are available.
- Ensure that you have a tally counter at every entrance.
- Take a high-resolution picture during the service and count from the photo.