Each October Catholic churches count the number of people who attend Mass. We have been doing that here at Transfiguration. This is last year’s and this year’s count:
On the first Sunday of October 2018, 507 people worshipped at Transfiguration. On the first Sunday of October 2019, 492 people worshipped at Transfiguration.
On the second Sunday of October 2018, 467 people worshipped at Transfiguration. On the second Sunday of October 2019, 439 people worshipped at Transfiguration. On the third Sunday of October 2018, 550 people worshipped at Transfiguration. On the third Sunday of October 2019, 418 people worshipped at Transfiguration. On the fourth Sunday of October 2018, 558 people worshipped at Transfiguration. On the fourth Sunday of October 2019, 419 people worshipped at Transfiguration.
The Archdiocese only requires us to count two weekends, but I personally think counting the whole month give us a better sense of what is happening.
In 2014, we averaged 551 over two weekends.
In 2015, we averaged 556 over two weekends.
In 2016, we averaged 511 over two weekends.
In 2017, we averaged 500 over two weekends.
In 2018, we averaged 520 over four weekends.
In 2019, we averaged 442 over four weekends.
You will no doubt notice that in general we are gradually trending down, especially this year. Each Sunday this year was down compared to last year. There can be lots of reasons for this: deaths, moves, graduations, etc. (Higher numbers may come from a special celebration which brought guests, e.g., a baptism or wedding anniversary.) We are not alone in what we are experiencing, but I think it should be a challenge for us all. What do you think is happening; how might we address it?
Fr. Jeff