what can the catholic church do to increase attendance?

Question

our small church is going to close down soon if this keeps up.

Answer 1

This is a fairly common issue and a very complex question and I have no simple answer.

I think that the Pastor (or administrator if you have no full-time Priest) is beholden to communicate with the Diocese.

The USCCB http://www.nccbuscc.org:8765/ has an entire office devoted to this issue.

http://www.usccb.org/evangelization/

http://www.sthugo.org/returning_catholics.htm

http://www.cdow.org/inactivecatholics2.html

In my Diocese (Raleigh, North Carolina) all Parishes have an on-going program to communicate with lapsed Catholics as well as an Evangelization program. Our largest Parish has over 17,000 parishioners...but some of the Parishes toward the Outer Banks and other traditionally non-Catholic areas may have only 20-or-so and no full-time Priest.

The Diocese is obligated to make the Sacraments available to you.

Answer 2

I think Mr Zwink has some good ideas !!

But, it depends on your priest and the Pastoral Council.

However, so many churches struggle w/this. I heard of a church in Scotland where a few old ladies prayed at the altar rail ( for 15 years, but ) for a Revival; they finally got one. Not only in their Church, but, the whole town !!

I sure hope your Church doens't close. Fresh ideas, outreach, not too much "gimmicks," is there involvement in local outreach to charities--like Habitat for Humanity ?? That helped one church I know.
Fundraisers open to the public; def. updated music; a prayer vigil where people sign up to pray for the Chruch to grow spiritually and w/new members: pick a time frame, have 1/2 slots, and hope folks sign up !! Title what it is for !
Rosary Vigils???
Is the design of the Church up w/Vatican 2; that has made a difference for me.
Doesn't have to be Ultra-Modern or Cold Modern Decor.

Was on a Methodist Evangelism Committee for about 7 yrs. All I can say it IS a dilema; and, prayer was our best way overall.

Answer 3

Implement the Vatican II reforms immediately. Gaudium et Spes says the Church must become the light of the world and also a relevant Church. To achieve this, the laity must be deeply involved in the life and mission of the Church. This would require training the laity for pastoral work, and Church programs which the laity can get involved in.
Peace and every blessing!

Answer 4

Promote the areas that are most relevant to today's society. As a Catholic myself, I can tell you that the Church is one of the most progressive of the mainstream denominations, with realistic views on science, such as the Big Bang, evolution etc. It is also one of the biggest suppliers of aid and charity worldwide, but people don't know these things.
They would garner more support if they promoted these things.
I support the Church's views on the sanctity of life with regard to abortion and euthanasia, but I struggle with the anti-contraception and the ban on priests marrying.

Some of the best sermons I've listened to, take the gospel and relate it to what has happened recently in our community or world. Some of the most boring just talk about morality and the such like. People who go to church already know how they are supposed to act. Tell them how the gospel is relevant to today, or give them a different interpretation of a well known parable.

Answer 5

The problem is that there is too much bad news regarding their clergy. Priests molesting children is unheard of and to just move them to another parish??? The Catholic Church has always been against homosexuality but they recently admitted that 30/40% (which means 50%) of it's priests are gay. I live in NYC where 10 Catholic Churches are closing this year. The demise of the Catholic Church is being brought on by it's own clergy. They made their bed and now must sleep in it and God's looking the other way.

Answer 6

If you're located in the USA:

Well, spin control doesn't work ... eventually the lives that were destroyed and ruined by the acts of child molestation by clergy begin to be known to even the public.

It saddened me when the Catholic Church wouldn't even give an official apology for the child sexual abuse until a priest was murdered by one of his victims.

Sister Helen Prejean has brought much attention to the issue of the death penalty with her work with the human beings personally dealing with death penalty issues, books, lectures and supporting human rights. She's a Roman Catholic Nun.

Maybe something could be learned from this? He said "Feed my flock." What is your congregation doing to improve the condition of humanity, beginning in your community, as Charity starts at home?

Answer 7

Bible study... your answers are within the pages of the Living Word.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Perhaps a reflection on what the Word says the church is for and what is expected of the leadership would help direct your paths.

Answer 8

There are some uncomplicated causes people stay faraway from church. a million Inconvenience. they are busy, ought to attend to factors, lots of bustle and hustle. answer: Make it fairly accessible. furnish breakfast or lunch, regardless of if in trouble-free terms trouble-free stuff. attempt to make a time at the same time as anybody can sit down and eat and communicate and percentage. furnish babysitting. attempt to furnish issues people want- script (present certificate for community shops bought at face cost, yet making a small earnings for the church), stamps, etc. 2. Disillusionment. people are not any further provided that church is installation their needs- their lives are basically as undesirable as in the previous. Church isn't assembly many needs. answer: end promising that each and everything will be tremendous in the present day, and initiate engaged on progression a church community the position people help one yet another. In a small church, you are able to wish to be in a position to have a time in the course of the service the position ushers or others attempt to easily communicate ot anybody and attempt to learn about their authentic modern needs- domicile facilities for the elderly, legal advice, etc. ideally, the ushers, etc. would then rapidly meet with an assistant pastor or such and evaluate notes- will we or anybody in the church help any of those needs? Ask the congregation for volunteers to help, then help coordinate the volunteer and the guy in want. 4. people are not any further feeling re-energized after church. answer: commit a minimum of area of each and every service to sheer emotion. people ought to go away with a huge smile and a spring of their step. they ought to experience tremendous about themselves and serving God- that their complications are authentic, yet non everlasting and that God fairly does love them regardless of how issues look. This very last is a significant reason particular church homes improve like loopy- they make people experience solid about themselves. honestly thoughts are overplayed and persons resent being manipulated repeatedly- yet there are some solid solid the reason why an ecosystem of joyfulness is solid!

Answer 9

The Serman should be inspirational, reference some miracles
like the "Our Lady of Guadalupe" "The Shroud" most Catholics
know little or nothing about these miraculous events They
listen to the Gospel and a Homily that they have heard over and.over for years. In all the responses I just read none have referenced these two Miracles..

Answer 10

A couple of natural disasters or terrorist attacks would help.

Another economic downturn or depression.

The bird flue could finally break out.

They could serve pizza and beer after every Mass.

Alternatively, people could take the time to learn and understand the Catholic faith.

If they did, you would need to build a bigger church.