ROCKFORD—Michael Cieslak, Ed.D., director of the Diocese of Rockford Office of Research and Planning, has been named the recipient of the Rev. Louis J. Luzbetak, SVD, Award for Exemplary Church Research.

The award comes from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), which is a national, non-profit, Georgetown University-affiliated research center that conducts social scientific studies about the Catholic Church.

CARA was founded in 1964 and works to increase the Church’s self understanding, to serve the applied research needs of Church decision-makers and to advance scholarly research on religion, particularly Catholicism.

Dr. Cieslak speculates that his receipt of the award is “probably for 30 years of ongoing service, in season and out of season.”

He says he has worked with others to better blend, distinguish and use the efforts of the two groups of researchers at the annual conference of the Society of the Scientific Study of Religion and the Religious Research Association.

About 500 papers from both academic and applied researchers are presented during the two and a half days long conference.

Jesuit Father Thomas Gaunt, Ph.D., executive director of CARA, agrees with Dr. Cieslak’s speculations and expands on them.

“I first met Mike some 30 years ago when I was in charge of planning for the Diocese of Charlotte,” Father Gaunt says.

“In the circles of research, he is very well known for his work and the assistance he has provided for others. He’s known also as very soft spoken, gentle and patient,” he adds.

The priest says the Luzbetak award is focused on applied research. It is presented to “individuals who have contributed a lot to the Church in the U.S.,” he says, adding that his friend and honoree has served academic as well as applied research efforts.

“In particular ways, we recall his efforts on how to estimate Catholic populations — some of the tools he proposed and developed for others to use — and his generosity in terms of assisting other dioceses,” Father Gaunt says.

“Many, including myself years ago, when they have a question or an issue comes up (will say) ‘You know, why don’t you call Mike Cieslak?’

“I think a key piece is his leadership in the pastoral planning group for the dioceses in the U.S. and Canada over 30 years.”

Father Gaunt also points to Dr. Cieslak’s work in the Diocese of Rockford that looks “at very practical issues of parish, pastoral life.”

Father Guant describes Dr. Cieslak’s research as “very immediate,” and focused on “growth and how it impacts religious education, Catholic schools and parish life.”

The questions answered by his research, Father Gaunt says, “are not glamorous questions but ones that are very helpful to the local bishop and pastoral leaders.”

The Luzbetak Award, named in honor of CARA’s first executive director, will be presented to Dr. Cieslak by New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond, chair of the CARA board, at an Oct. 24 reception at Georgetown University.