UP FRONT
Structuring a Viable Future for Parishes
Katarina Schuth |  Spring 2009

Parish forms and parish ministry are changing, but priests and parishioners remain
committed to maintaining vibrant Catholic communities.

During the past several years, almost every week has brought news of dioceses restructuring and reorganizing. Some are clustering parishes under the leadership of single pastors; others are closing parishes, often against the passionate objections of parishioners; still others are allowing parishes to grow into outsized “mega parishes” rather than establishing new ones. Often these events are recorded and then seemingly forgotten. Yet many people are deeply affected: the pastor who has just had his duties doubled or tripled, the staff whose roles are usually expanded, and the parishioners who may find themselves without their own pastor, sometimes without their former parish, and in some places merged into enormous parochial units that lack the familiarity of a smaller community. According to reports from many dioceses, the rate of these adjustments is growing exponentially with or without adequate planning. Throughout the country, parish configurations are changing, contingent upon factors such as population decline or increase, their location, and the disposition of diocesan leadership.

In this article I will address the dimensions of these changes in U.S. dioceses, the challenges and benefits of various arrangements, and suggested approaches for future planning. Recently my attention has been focused especially on multiple parish ministry. In the course of doing this comprehensive research, I have discovered a great deal about the struggles associated with diocesan pastoral planning—or lack thereof—during this period of managing parish ministry with fewer priests. The study was enriched by significant information from seventy or so interviews with priests, with lay ministers and parishioners in as many parishes, and from over 900 surveys from priests currently serving more than one parish.

Since the publication of my research in Priestly Ministry in Multiple Parishes (Liturgical Press, 2006), I have presented the findings in dozens of situations across the United States. From these encounters, I have gained valuable insights from representatives of at least half the dioceses in the country, including bishops, priests who serve multiple parishes, and sometimes entire presbyerates; from lay ministers, parishioners, seminarians, and church leaders and planners in national organizations. These discussions have given me an appreciation of the efforts being invested in planning for the future and coping with the current situation. The quality of parish life and ministry is at stake as pastors, especially those serving multiple parishes, seek to provide the Eucharist and keep alive the faith of people. Their parishioners’ lives span several generations, their identification with the church fluctuates, and their backgrounds are diverse—many are long-term residents and a growing number are new immigrants from Latin America, Asia, and Africa. While opportunities for providing excellent pastoral ministry are far-reaching, the challenges are formidable.

What are the dimensions of the parish situation at present?

Several factors are significant in understanding the dynamics of parish life. Primary among them are the number of Catholic people in relation to the number of those available to provide essential pastoral ministry, especially priests, but also lay ministers and deacons. Over the past forty years or so the situation has changed dramatically, as shown in these figures from the Official Catholic Directory:

As the chart shows, some 18,486 fewer priests are responsible for ministry to some 20 million more Catholics distributed in only 948 more parishes. Moreover, many of the 41,406 priests are not working in parishes, but in other ministries such as diocesan offices and schools run by religious orders; large numbers are retired. As a result, the membership in many parishes has increased tremendously, especially in suburban areas throughout the country, and throughout much of the South and Southwest. According to the National Parish Inventory of 2000 (data from CARA, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University), parish sizes were as follows:

• 31 percent of parishes are "mega" parishes, with more than 3,000 registered parishioners and more than 1,200 registered households
  
  
• 28 percent are "corporate" parishes, with 1,200 to 3,000 registered parishioners and 550 to 1,200 registered households
  
  
• 25 percent are "community" parishes, with 450 to 1,199 registered parishioners and 201 to 549 registered households
  
  
• 16 percent are "family" parishes, with fewer than 450 registered parishioners and 200 or fewer registered households
  
  *Additionally 3,000 mission churches were open in both years.

	1967	2008
U.S. Catholic population	46.9 million	67.1 million
Number of priests	59,892	41,406
Catholics per priest	783	1,621
Number of parishes*	17,952	18,890
Catholics per parish	2,614	3,552

What does this mean? Parishes are much larger than ever, fewer have associate pastors, and a growing number of priests are required to staff more than one parish simultaneously. Since the last National Parish Inventory in 2000, parishes have certainly grown larger still, with an additional 5 million Catholics, 737 fewer parishes, and 5,000 fewer priests. These priests are expected to adapt to changing circumstances: for example, they may be assigned to parishes where their ministry consists primarily of administrative duties in a large parish, or they may be mainly sacramental ministers in several parishes.

How have demographic changes affected multiple parish arrangements?

My research on priests serving multiple parishes particularizes the impact on the church with many more Catholics and fewer priests and parishes. A complicating factor is the uneven distribution of priests: most dioceses on the East and Southwest coasts have a relatively ample supply, but the upper and central Midwest and Northwest are very short of priests. Large cities with a sizable Catholic population and archdiocesan headquarters almost always have a higher proportion of priests. In archdioceses only 12 percent of priests serve more than one parish, while it is 24 percent, double the proportion, in dioceses. The distribution is significant because archdioceses are usually larger, more urban, and have more influential leadership on the national level. Many priests serving several parishes in smaller rural dioceses attribute the neglect of their type of ministry to this reality. Overall 20 percent of priests were serving more than one parish in 2005; 44 percent—over 9,000 parishes—were led by pastors with more than one parish. The proportion of priests serving more than one parish varies enormously—from none in three or four dioceses up to 94 percent. Given recent diocesan announcements about parish closings and clustering, now just three years later undoubtedly over 50 percent of parishes share a priest.

What are the challenges and rewards of multiple parish ministry?

In parishes without their own pastors, priests and parishioners are most immediately affected, and in the long run so are bishops and diocesan planners. Priests find difficulty balancing their ministerial responsibilities and their personal lives. Nearly 70 percent of clustered parishes have fewer than 250 families, and the small size means coping with few resources. One pastor expressed the feelings of many others, “Our situation is our size. With the small number of families we are unable to be ministerially complete…no staff members but me and the bookkeeper.” A related problem is the distance between parishes, on average requiring over 500 miles of travel per month by the pastor simply to provide regular liturgies. Complications with scheduling place unrealistic demands on priests and often frustrate parishioners who are accustomed to having their own pastors. Long distances between parishes make it difficult or impossible to close these small parishes without diminishing the opportunities for worship and for support of the faith life of the people.

In other cases when large and small congregations are combined, balancing the needs of both creates anxiety for many pastors. This comment exemplifies the problem: “It can become physically and emotionally draining, trying always to meet the needs of the smaller parish when the larger one drains all my time and energy.” Few priests, only 10 percent, say they had any special preparation for handling more than one parish. They wonder, “What are reasonable expectations? What is essential?” With few staff members available to fill the gaps, the range of gifts required of the priest is comprehensive, from being a manager and executive decision maker on one hand to being a creative coordinator and liturgist on the other. The perception of never being able to do things as well as they could be done bothers many priests. When responsibilities are too extensive, neglect of personal prayer, relationships with other priests, exercise, and health matters is a danger. To sum up the challenges, most priests say simply, “It’s time, time, time.”

Many adjustments required

At the diocesan level, the lack of flexibility in assigning pastors grows as fewer priests are available. Finding the right priest for parishes of such enormous variety in most dioceses is challenging. With little time to adjust, priests are required to adapt to new circumstances. Moving from a large urban parish with a complete staff to being pastor of several small parishes, usually in a rural area, creates disruption for priests who encounter widely differing expectations. In large urban parishes they usually have at least several and sometimes many staff members to supervise, schools to oversee, and other buildings to maintain, while in rural situations they have a somewhat different set of responsibilities. Many priests mention the hardship of moving from one to the other. Adding to the challenges for dioceses is the need to regularly assess and plan for ministry with fewer priests. Parishioners are often apprehensive about any evidence of planning; always hovering in their minds is the fear that their small parish will be closed. Attempts to recruit priests from outside the country have met with mixed response, leaving few options for adequate pastoral planning in some dioceses.

What are the benefits of multiple parish ministry for dioceses, priests, and parishioners?
While the challenges may be significant, the rewarding aspects of serving several parishes are not overlooked by priests who often are located in peaceful rural areas with several small congregations. In the survey, almost all mention the close connections they have with faith-filled, supportive, and appreciative parishioners. Many priests notice the growth in their own faith as they gain inspiration from the faith of the people, expressed in their gratitude, affirmation, and resilience. The willingness of parishioners to volunteer their time and expertise is exemplary as they strive to keep their parishes viable. The possibility of getting to know families of several generations is another benefit of the typically small parishes where the sense of tradition and history has been preserved.
Some pastors find joy in situations where they are responsible for a wide variety of ministries. They are energized by the creativity and resourcefulness required from parish to parish and season to season. Most important is the satisfaction that comes from leading the parishioners in weekly eucharistic celebrations. Knowing the people well enough to direct the word of God to their particular concerns is especially gratifying and meaningful. During interviews, many parishioners and priests recognized the value of combining the resources of several parishes—whether it be for liturgy, religious education, parish staff, or parish festivals. Priests were gratified by the ways initial resistance to cooperation turned into enthusiasm when parishioners saw how much they benefited from each others’ gifts. Success may come in the form of breathing new life into a declining community, helping dedicated people maintain their parish and enhance their civic community, or relating in new and fruitful ways to neighboring parishes. Overall more than 95 percent of the priests serving multiple parishes say they are satisfied with their ministry, and feel appreciated and respected for their priesthood.

What should be the focus of future plans for vital parishes?

Based on research and discussions about future ministry with a wide range of parishioners, priests, bishops, and other church leaders, the most encouraging finding in my mind is the deep commitment to parish life that was exhibited in almost every encounter. The basic facts about how much the church and parish life have changed in the past forty, twenty, or even ten years escapes almost no one who is an active Catholic. What is truly amazing is the positive way most parishioners, priests, and parish staffs have adapted to personnel changes, parish configurations, and other modifications. They have opened their hearts and doors to people of diverse cultural backgrounds, ages, religious tendencies, and educational levels. Some parishes, dioceses, and priests are more hopeful and enthusiastic than others to be sure, but the significance of parish life cannot be overestimated. It is worth whatever the price for many people.

Maintaining and enhancing future ministry will not be an easy task, but suggestions for ways to fulfill hopes for the future are worthy of consideration by leaders. For bishops, the main message seems to be the call for decisive leadership in developing and promoting an inclusive planning process. Priests and people want leaders with vision who will give clear direction, consult widely, and listen carefully to those who will be most affected by decisions. The plea of priests is that bishops get to know the diocese, especially the remote corners with small parishes. They also would like to incorporate lay ministers and deacons more fully into pastoral service. For their own well-being, they would like improved orientation for pastors new to ministry, and continuing education for all geared specifically to the type of ministry most needed in the diocese. They recognize the importance of managing their time and workload, consolidating activities, and working collaboratively in delegating responsibilities.

Parishioners are becoming gradually more aware of the necessity of being active if their parishes are to thrive and grow—whether they share a priest with other parishes or are members of a mega-parish. People of all ages and backgrounds are finding ways to ease the burden and appreciate the gifts of pastors and lay ministers. It is up to priests and their co-workers to accept and encourage this active participation. As the Catholic population continues to increase and the number of priests and religious decline, prayers for vocations to the priesthood and other ministries need to be redoubled. At all times encouragement to contribute to the life of the parish must remain since parishioners, together with the men and women who are giving their lives in full-time service to the church, make it possible to maintain a vital Catholic presence in many places where it would otherwise disappear.

Katarina Schuth, OSF, holds an endowed chair for the Social Scientific Study of Religion, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.