Parish Strengths and Concerns

One hundred four (103) parishes and one mission are located within the sixteen-county geographic
boundaries of the Diocese of Superior. Eight (8) parishes stand as single parish units. The remaining ninetysix (95) parishes have been combined to form thirty-four (34) clusters. Forty-six (46) priests serve these one hundred five (105) worship sites located within the geographic boundaries of the Diocese of Superior. Twenty-nine (29) serve as Pastors, ten (10) serve as Parochial Administrators, three (3) serve as Associate Pastors, two serve as Sacramental Ministers, and two serve as a Parochial Vicars. Sixty-five (65) permanent deacons reside within the boundaries of the diocese. Seven (7) of these deacons have officially retired. The remaining fifty-eight (58) deacons serve in a total of seventy-seven (77) parishes. Those parishes include twenty-seven (27) clusters and five (5) stand-alone parishes.

Strengths – Pillars for Growth

1. High level of respect for the bishop, priests and permanent deacons of the diocese.
2. Active participation in the Certified Lay Outreach Ministry program.
3. Widespread availability of regularly scheduled devotional practices.
4. Nearly all parishes support or actively participate in charitable causes.
5. Broad support for the dignity of human life and the right to life.
6. Active participation by laity in Liturgy and local ministries in nearly all parishes.
7. The RCIA program is utilized in varying degrees in most parishes or clusters.
8. Concern for pastoral needs of sick and homebound as shown by regular provision of Holy
9. Communion to shut-ins.
10. Sacramental formation programs comply with diocesan policy in most parishes.
11. A majority of parishes provide prepaid subscriptions for the Catholic Herald to member households.
12. Most parishes have no long-term debt or the long-term debt does not interfere with the mission of the parish.

Possible Concerns – Suggestions for Further Exploration

1. Low level of participation in ecumenical activities by laity.
2. Decreasing registered membership and registered households and declining Mass attendance.
3. Lack of support for marriage and family life.
4. Lack of programs to welcome and integrate new parishioners into the faith community.
5. Minimal follow-up support after reception of Sacraments: Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage.
6. Few parishes have implemented programs to evangelize the un-churched.
7. Minimal support for those discerning religious vocations.
8. Low level of participation by youth in the faith formation process, small class sizes and multiple grades per class.
9. A lack of catechesis about and understanding of Christian Stewardship.
10. Lack of appreciation for membership in and responsibility to the diocesan and universal Church.