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Start Date
8 October @ 10:00 am
End Date
8 October @ 10:00 am
Location
Sydney
The National Centre for Pastoral Research (NCPR) invites you to the launch of the final report of the Absent from the Table project, which examines the experiences of Catholics in Australia who do not regularly attend Sunday Mass.
Thursday 8 October 2026, 10:00am
Mary MacKillop Place, 7 Mount St, North Sydney NSW 2060
The launch will also be streamed online – join the online stream.
The project emerged from concerns raised during recent Church consultations in Australia, including the Fifth Plenary Council and the Synod of Bishops processes, where declining Mass attendance was consistently identified as a significant pastoral challenge.
The study focused on four key areas:
- Factors influencing a Catholic’s decision not to attend Sunday Mass
- Alternative forms of engagement with the Church
- Attitudes towards the Eucharist
- Implications for the wider Catholic community and Church
The research employed a mixed-methods approach across two phases. Phase 1 involved an online survey of 1,973 self-selected Catholics aged 18 and over across seven states and territories. Phase 2 consisted of in-depth interviews with 67 volunteers from Phase 1, providing qualitative insights into personal experiences and motivations.
Among survey respondents, 74 per cent attended Mass less than weekly. Participants provided several strategies for reconnection, including making Mass more engaging, welcoming greater involvement of lay people, building stronger relationships within parish communities and fostering environments where people feel they belong and can participate meaningfully.
Source: Pastoral Research Online, Issue 74, September 2026 – ACBC National Centre for Pastoral Research
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Events Location
Sydney
Absent from the Table: Final Report Launch
Start Date :
08
October
2026
Time :
10:00 am - 10:00 am
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The National Centre for Pastoral Research (NCPR) invites you to the launch of the final report of the Absent from the Table project, which examines the experiences of Catholics in Australia who do not regularly attend Sunday Mass.
Thursday 8 October 2026, 10:00am
Mary MacKillop Place, 7 Mount St, North Sydney NSW 2060
The launch will also be streamed online – join the online stream.
The project emerged from concerns raised during recent Church consultations in Australia, including the Fifth Plenary Council and the Synod of Bishops processes, where declining Mass attendance was consistently identified as a significant pastoral challenge.
The study focused on four key areas:
- Factors influencing a Catholic’s decision not to attend Sunday Mass
- Alternative forms of engagement with the Church
- Attitudes towards the Eucharist
- Implications for the wider Catholic community and Church
The research employed a mixed-methods approach across two phases. Phase 1 involved an online survey of 1,973 self-selected Catholics aged 18 and over across seven states and territories. Phase 2 consisted of in-depth interviews with 67 volunteers from Phase 1, providing qualitative insights into personal experiences and motivations.
Among survey respondents, 74 per cent attended Mass less than weekly. Participants provided several strategies for reconnection, including making Mass more engaging, welcoming greater involvement of lay people, building stronger relationships within parish communities and fostering environments where people feel they belong and can participate meaningfully.
Source: Pastoral Research Online, Issue 74, September 2026 – ACBC National Centre for Pastoral Research