Good Shepherd attendance before clustering (3 weekend Masses):
Good Shepherd attendance the very first week after clustering (2 weekend Masses):
The proof is in the pudding. Clustering parishes does not make them stronger, more viable, or more… what’s that word… “virbrant.” Instead, clustering weakens parishes to the point where they can no longer remain open. Look at that very sharp drop in attendance at Church of the Good Shepherd. The cluster has only been in place for one week! Where did all the people go? Did they go to Guardian Angels or St. Joseph? If so, how come people from G.A. and S.J. didn’t come to Good Shepherd to negate the loss in attendance? (well, Nancy’s presence likely played a role, but humor me for a moment here)
This is exactly what we witnessed in Irondequoit where St. Thomas’ attendance plummeted by almost 300 weekly attendees after clustering, and this is quite possibly what will happen in the upcoming Gates cluster. When we cluster parishes, we lose parishioners. When we lose parishioners, we lose Catholics.
But that makes it easier for the diocese to close churches, doesn’t it?
Tags: Bishop Clark, Church Closings, Nancy, News and Media
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When STA was clustered they adjusted the Mass schedule by eliminating the most popular 9:30 am "family" Mass. This left just two Masses on Sunday, early morning and late morning. Of course Mass attendance plummeted (along with collections). Almost every Church, protestant or Catholic has a mid-morning Mass on Sunday. Churches with more Masses have more attendees and more collections – pretty simple equation.
Good Shepherd was the one parish of the three to lose its Saturday Vigil Mass. I don't know how well-attended that Mass was in the past, but this could account for some (perhaps not all) of the drop in attendance.
It's unreal how this diocese has done so much to kill the spirit of Catholocism.
WHAT A MESS WE ARE IN!!!!!!!!!