The Basilica's Disciple Maker Index Survey Results

This past spring (2025), our parish participated in the Disciple Maker Index survey, along with other parishes of the Diocese of Knoxville. The results of this survey were sent to the Basilica this summer, and Fr. Carter and the Parish Pastoral Council have reviewed and discussed them. As a way of sharing as many of the results as we can with all our parishioners, we have compiled a report for you to review.

Download Report

In addition to the report, below are a few insights about our Demographics, Strengths, and Opportunities that were discussed with the Parish Pastoral Council.  

Demographics –

Ethnicity/language: The survey showed about 48% Hispanic ethnicity in our parish. 43% of the survey respondents took the survey in Spanish. 57% took it in English. 

Membership duration: 57% of our parishioners have been at the Basilica for 5 years or less; 29% have only been here for two or less. Only 35% have been here for more than 10 years. The thought is that this trend is not due to many people leaving the parish, but due to many newcomers in our area, and especially new Catholics. 

Age: The survey was only for adults, and some older teens responded. Even without reflecting the many children in our parish, nearly half of the respondents were under age 35. 20% were age 46-65. 13% were seniors. The parish is filled with young people.

Education Choice: For those with school-age children, only 29% send them to public school; 32% send them to Catholic school, and 38% reported homeschool or other. Among our non-Hispanic families with school-aged children, 46% of them homeschool. 

Strengths –

The Basilica’s three strongest positive responses are all in the category of beliefs in core Catholic teachings.

1. I personally believe that Scripture is the Word of God (95% strongly agree or agree). 
2. I personally believe the Eucharist really is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ (94% strongly agree or agree) 
3. I personally believe that the Church is critical to my relationship with God (94% strongly agree or agree). 

Basilica parishioners reported the following top three ways of practicing their faith: 

1. Mass attendance (93% attend at least once a week; 19% attend daily)
2. Individual prayer time (90% pray at least weekly; 70% pray daily)
3. Catholic devotions, e.g. Rosary, novenas, feast days (29% daily; 55% at least weekly; 71% at least once a month)

Opportunities –

There is significant difference in response about information availability between our Hispanic and non-Hispanic parishioners. 

• For the non-Hispanic population, information availability is strong: 94% agree, with 64% strongly agreeing 
• For the Hispanic population, 87% agreed, with only 38% strongly agreeing. 

Over 80% of our Hispanic community has been to at least one retreat before, with 57% attending at least retreat each year.

But among our non-Hispanic parishioners, less than one third of our community has ever been to a retreat. 

Low retreat participation is not just at the Basilica, but retreat participation is shrinking everywhere. The Diocese is having a hard time getting people to come to them. It is a trend in our society. 

These findings give us much to celebrate, as well as plenty of room to develop!

Many thanks to all who participated in the Disciple Maker Index survey. The insights gained from this survey are already helping Fr. Carter to plan for our future.