Diocese may change

In the July 2 issue of the Catholic Courier of Rochester, Bishop Matthew Clark offers something akin to a "state of the diocese" report. He lists accomplishments, acknowledges challenges, and ominously warns of "controversial" measures to address Rochester's mounting problems. The paragraph excerpted below stands out; he attributes Rochester's plummeting Mass attendance rates to a nationwide trend and its supposed leveling off to a local renewal effort that features the musings of Joan Chittister.

While it is no secret that Mass attendance has generally declined since the mid-1960s nationwide — not unlike attendance for other mainline Christian denominations — we saw last year in our own diocese a leveling off of that trend. I can only attribute that leveling off to our Spirit Alive-related efforts. Even as we engage the people already in the pews through this spiritual renewal, we also are reaching out in new 21st century ways to people we want to welcome back — and especially to attract young people to become active member of our faith communities. This is so important in an age in which all religious groups must vie with Hollywood, the Internet and other media in touching and forming the lives of the young.