Altar servers process out of Immaculate Parish in Owensboro at the conclusion of the Sept. 15, 2024 dedication Mass following the church’s renovation. ELIZABETH WONG BARNSTEAD | WKC
Mass attendance continues upward trend in diocese
BY DCN. KEN BENNETT, OFFICE OF WORSHIP
The theme for the Jubilee Year 2025 is “Pilgrims of Hope.” As we rapidly approach this Jubilee Year, Mass attendance across our diocese continued a steady upward trend in 2024, nearing pre-pandemic levels. The overall 2024 diocesan Mass count shows that 48.74% of parishioners attended Mass during this period and represents a 1.24% increase from 2023. By comparison 2020, the first year of the pandemic, Mass attendance was 27.72% and 2019, the last year before the pandemic, Mass attendance was 51.59%. Many parishes have met or exceeded pre-pandemic Mass attendance levels while the overall diocese attendance is only 2.85% from meeting those levels.
The continued upward trend in Mass attendance since the pandemic is encouraging and a hopeful sign for the future. Adding to this sign of hope are the numbers of people who entered the Church through RCIA/OICIA at the Easter Vigil. Based on the Rite of Election celebrated in Paducah and Owensboro, there were 257 people who entered the Church at Easter. This represents a 23.8% from 2023 and corresponds with an increase of people entering the Church nationwide.
We are bolstered by good news and signs of hope through increased mass attendance and an increase of those who enter our faith communities. As we enter 2025 as Pilgrims of Hope, we continue to trust the Holy Spirit and pray for a bountiful harvest.
Dcn. Ken Bennett is the co-coordinator of the Office of Worship in the Diocese of Owensboro. He can be reached at [email protected].
Originally printed in the December 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
