based on demographic research and pastoral needs called Partner's Edge. Priests have attended one meeting in which they received initial data. They provided some feedback and the consultants from Partner's Edge are now reaching the point where they would like to present the information at the deanery level. In the Muncie Deanery, the meeting will be On June 27, 9am at Saint Mary Muncie. My understanding is that this meeting is open to parishioners, although specific details will be forthcoming as they become clear to me.
Why are we going through this process? Firstly, populations in the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana have shifted dramatically in the past decades. For example, 52% of Catholics in the diocese now live in the Carmel Deanery (Hamilton, Boone, and Tipton counties). The current distribution of priests, resources, and Masses does not always correspond to today's most urgent pastoral needs. Secondly, our diocese faces a declining number of priests due to retirements outpacing ordinations in the next five to ten years. As Catholics, we believe that the celebration of the sacraments by an ordained minister should be central to parish life. The Partner's Edge consultation represents a proactive attempt spearheaded by diocesan leadership to address the inevitable changes before us in an organized and strategic way.
I cannot comment with certainty about particular outcomes that may emerge from this process. Throughout the diocese, I expect to see questions asked about why parishes are clustered together under one pastor and mature reflection on other possible configurations. At this point, many people want to know whether their preferred Mass time will disappear.
In the past, the bishop has written about the diocese facing a priest distribution problem rather than a priest shortage. I agree with Bishop Doherty when he points out that parishes that have more than one Mass that is less than half full have more Masses than is necessary.
In June of 2017, three of the five Masses in Grant County were less than half full (8am, 12:30pm, and 5pm). When it became clear that a second priest would not be available after the pastoral transition, I was informed that the 8am had been eliminated at the same time that I received the call informing me I would be transferred. In recent months, we have seen increased attendance at the 12:30pm due to intentional Hispanic outreach focused on inviting Spanish-speakers to this Mass. We have begun to see attendance at this Mass exceed 50%. The 5pm is not far behind 50%, which means that we can make a good case that, if anything, we need more rather than fewer Masses in Grant County on Sunday. Adding masses, however, would need another priest--and I just received word that this will not be in the cards come July.