Enkindle the Fire:
Our Current Reality
Our Current Reality
We have a clear need to invigorate the spiritual, sacramental, and pastoral life of the parish to disrupt downward trends in Mass attendance, reception of the sacraments, participation in faith formation, and enrollment in our Catholic School. Continue reading to learn more.
General Demographic Trends
• The total population around Holy Spirit parish grew 4.6% to 20,315 in 2022.
• The largest population is Gen Z (ages 7–24).
Catholic Demographic Trends
• Registered Catholic households at Holy Spirit declined 1% from 778 in 2010 to 770 in 2023.
• 79.5% of registered Catholic households within the study area are registered at a parish other than Holy Spirit.
• Approximately 55% of parishioners are over 40 years old.
• Less than 40% of current school families are registered parishioners of Holy Spirit.
Mass
Attendance
Trends
• Mass attendance declined 25.3% from an average of 558 in 2011 to 417 in 2019.
• The percentage of registered parishioners attending Mass declined 25.1% in 2011 to 11.7% in 2019.
Sacramental
Trends
• We have a conviction that we are not celebrating enough sacraments. Between 2014 and 2022:
- Baptisms declined 27.8% from 18 to 13.
- First Communions declined 57.1% from 35 to 15.
- Confirmations declined 30% from 40 to 28.
Youth Formation Trends
• In 2022, 3,289 school age children live in the study area.
• Holy Spirit Catholic school enrollment is 7.5% of all 2023 school age children in the study area.
• Between the 2010–2011 and 2022–2023 school years:
- St. Paul Public School enrollment declined 15.4%
- Holy Spirit preschool–8th grade enrollment declined 11.5% from 296 to 262.
- Keep The Fire Burning (faith formation) participation for youth not enrolled at Holy Spirit Catholic School has declined 66.7% from 36 to 12 students.
• There is room for Holy Spirit Catholic School to grow. The classrooms currently in use are 59% of the total classroom space.
Giving & Financial Trends
• In 2022, Sunday Giving came from 44% of parishioners.
• Baby boomers and the Silent Generation (59+) account for approximately 70% of the financial contributions to the parish.
• Between 2020 and 2022:
- Parish contributions have declined 14.5% while median household income has increased.
- The parish and school have experienced net operating deficits each of the last three years.
• 12.3% of the school’s revenues are from fundraising and outside funding.