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Written by ANGELA KESSLER
Chronicle Editor
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Thursday, 05 January 2006 |
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Mass attendance at Toledo diocesan parishes increased by nearly 4,000 people in 2005.
Each year, parishes report average attendance figures for weekend Masses in October. In 2005, 62 parishes showed an increase in attendance in 2005 as compared to the 2004 count, while 71 parishes experienced a decrease. The remaining 35 parishes either closed during the year or reported no change.
Given what we've been through in the last year, this is pretty significant, said Father Michael Billian, episcopal vicar for administration.
Individually, many churches' increased attendance figures can be attributed to closures and mergers with other parishes. The fact remains, though, that the overall increase is a positive sign that more people are attending church than in 2004.
Obviously, we give all the thanks to God, Fr. Billian said, adding that God's grace is what brings people back.
With stable population figures across the diocese, Fr. Billian said the increase in attendance could be attributed to a number of factors, including more people completing RCIA programs or a renewed spirit of involvement as people move to new parishes or welcome a new priest to their community.
While this is welcome news, Fr. Billian also points out that less than a third of the diocese's registered Catholics attend Mass. The increase, however, is a positive step in inviting more people back to church.
We see this as a foundation to launch a diocesan evangelism campaign, he said.
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