Sneed: Archdiocese seeks to take its measure

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It’s a first.

Sneed hears Archbishop Blase Cupich, who was handpicked by Pope Francis to shepherd Chicago’s 2.2 million Catholics, just sent his flock a renewal form.

• Translation: Cupich in recent weeks dispatched a survey to every Catholic in the Chicago Archdiocese to reassess the church’s mission.

The 39-question survey, which was made available to all parishioners, did not require a signature and could be filled out online.

“There is no doubt church membership is static, declining or changing — and the Archbishop is hoping to chart a new course for vibrancy and vitality,” a top Archdiocesan source said.

“The survey he [Cupich] just launched has never been done here before and asks parishioners to comment on a wide variety of parish life,” the source said.

It also startled many parishioners when they were asked to fill out the questionnaires during Mass in lieu of the priest’s sermon.

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“It’s part of a plan called ‘Renew my Church,’ and the questions are pretty dramatic,” the source added.

“It deals with what Catholics feel; the churches’ challenges; availability of priests; pastoral leadership; vitality of parishes; the sexual abuse crisis; shopping around for sermons; music . . . you name it. The survey includes it. It’s pretty intense. Pretty thorough.”

The police blotter . . .

Sneed hears congrats are in order: former Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, who has had his share of headaches this year, just hit the jackpot.

He and his wife, Chicago attorney Kristin Barnette, are dating the stork.

Ring? Ring?

Sneed hears stumbles? Mayor Rahm Emanuel and legal eagle Lori Lightfoot, whom he appointed head of the Chicago Police Board — are a don’t invitem item.

Word is Lightfoot, who is steaming about the way Emanuel summarily dissed the police board’s three top cop selections, has been unsuccessfully trying to call hizzoner.

• The buckshot? Her calls aren’t being returned.

Mayoral spokesman Adam Collins tells Sneed: “It’s not true at all.”

Stay tuned.

The Foxx file . . .

It didn’t take long for Kim Foxx, who is the Dem candidate for Cook County state’s attorney, to move into the fast lane: Foxx was invited as a guest panelist discussing gun violence on news tsarina Tina Brown’s Women in the World Conference in New York this week.

Fan alert!

Actress Jennifer Aniston is currently in town at Cinespace Film Studios shooting her new movie, “Office Christmas Party,” with actor Jason Bateman — who also happens to be one of her best buddies. . . . Legendary TV producer Dick Wolf is also in town shooting his new series, “Chicago Justice,” starring Carl Weathers, the guy who played Apollo Creed in “Rocky.”

I spy . . .

A fish story: S. Epatha Merkerson, who stars in the TV series “Chicago Med,” was spotted at Hugo’s Frog Bar last Friday dining on Chilean sea bass, her favorite dish. So here’s how life imitates art: A month ago, Merkerson’s Chicago Med character (Sharon Goodwin) claims she was going to Gibsons, Hugo’s sister eatery, to order Chilean sea bass. . . . Star Wars genius George Lucas and wife/financial whiz Mellody Hobson spotted with friends at the posh RL Monday night; ditto auction maven Leslie Hindman huddling with businessmen at separate tables.

The women’s room . . .

• Weep ’em: Rob Kardashian, the goofball son of the goofball Kardashian clan, is now engaged to singer Blac Chyna? You can’t make this stuff up. Well, maybe you can in the K clan.

• Sleep ’em: News maven Arianna Huffington, who just penned a book on sleep deprivation, tells newsies she was once so sleepless, she collapsed and broke her cheekbone, and there ya go.

Sneedlings . . .

Congrats to Chicago Sun-Times stellars Rummana Hussain and Mick Dumke on their recent engagement. So incredibly wonderful and special. . . . Best wishes to Coco Pazzo Chef Federico Comacchio and wife, Nedith Roldan, on their 20th wedding anniversary. Today’s birthdays: Russell Crowe, 52; Francis Ford Coppola, 77, Jackie Chan, 62, and a belated birthday to Peter Schivarelli, priceless.

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