Last week marked another Together in Faith vicariate meeting, and another coming together to take a closer look at the parish and city. It was the first time we were taking a real look at the parish’s internal information, rather than city data that affects the parish.
We looked at how the parish has changed in the few years as far as sacraments go, for example. Taking a look at the data, we found that baptisms, wedding and funerals have stayed pretty steady over the last few years. We imagine that a large part of that is because the beautiful interior of the church helps us maintain a strong marriage ministry. However, also within the past few years, we have seen a significant drop in registered parishioners.
We were also asked to take a look at data compared with the changing population, but since so few people who attend SS. Peter and Paul actually live within the parish boundaries, that part didn’t really affect us. We see a wide community of people who do attend the parish and why — parishioners with a University of Detroit Jesuit High School affiliation, for example.
Looking at an area map showing where registered parishioners live, we see that there’s a cluster of people who are physically close to the parish, and then a line of parishioners stretching northwest up toward the Grosse Pointes, St. Clair Shores and beyond. It’s pretty clear that people don’t attend SS. Peter and Paul because it’s close to them, but because the parish means something to them.
This trend holds pretty steady for the other parishes in our planning group — St. Aloysius, St. Patrick and Our Lady of the Rosary — although Our Lady of the Rosary does see some Wayne State University Students.
We have two weeks until our next meeting, as March had a fifth Thursday. At that meeting we expect to discuss Catholic buildings in the area and their possible alternate uses, if the Mass schedule is appropriate for the size of the congregation, etc.
As always, we ask that you keep the planning group in your prayers.
-Kristin Lukowski, Together in Faith planning group member, parish council member
Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church 