Parish Vitality Report
2026 | Archdiocese of Cincinnati
In our lives as Catholic Christians, the parish holds a special role. It is our spiritual home, a place where we experience Christ’s presence profoundly in Word and Sacrament. A parish is its people, strengthened by Communion and sent forth to proclaim Christ to the world. This Parish Vitality Report offers insight into the life of the parishes of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and how they cooperate in the mission and ministry of Christ.
I wish to thank all who contribute to the vitality of our Families of Parishes – priests, deacons, consecrated religious, and laity – those who lead, those who serve in ministry, and all who participate in the sacramental life and the many activities of the parish. You will see in this report that there is much to celebrate: people are participating in Mass, seeking the sacraments, and participating in the life of the Church, while exercising greater stewardship of their parish and the archdiocese. Challenges and opportunities remain in each of our Families, and you will read more about those here as well.
This report highlights our progress in the Beacons of Light pastoral planning process. As I noted in my January letter to you, “We must keep in mind that Beacons of Light has not been a typical process or program; we have been given a mandate to take up the mission and ministry of Christ in our present day. We ensure that it will continue for years to come through the six foundational principles of vitality and missionary discipleship.”
It is the call to missionary discipleship that I invite you to consider. While this report reflects some good news and hopeful trends present in many of our parishes, there is much more to be done if we desire to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with all, radiating Christ’s light and love in every place and to all those we encounter. We must not be afraid to meet the moment before us, letting go of that which prevents us from boldly witnessing to the love of God and continually striving to move from fear to faith. With the grace of the Holy Spirit to inspire us and Christ, the Good Shepherd, to guide us, we will build up God’s kingdom.
I ask you to please read this report in its entirety and respond to the survey linked below. Thank you for your continual faithfulness and your generosity of time, talent, and treasure.
In Christ,
Most Reverend Robert G. Casey
Archbishop of Cincinnati
Throughout the Beacons of Light process, we have spoken about why it is crucial for us to undertake this process at this time — it is in response to the demographic changes in our local towns and cities and in the Church and, most importantly, in response to Jesus mandate to spread the gospel to all through word and deed. This why, the reason for Beacons, has always been about creating vital parishes that are filled with disciples who live Christ’s mission in the world. The true hope and goal of Beacons of Light is greater parish vitality spiritual, physical, and financial health in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
You will recall that as we were beginning Beacons of Light, everyone was invited to imagine fuller churches, joyful liturgies, priests who have time to be with their people, and parishes boldly living Christ’s mission. You will see in this Parish Vitality Report glimpses of the future we envisioned and toward which we continue to strive.
This report offers progress in the Beacons of Light process and signs of vitality in most of our Families of Parishes. As Archbishop Casey noted in his letter, the report also acknowledges continuing challenges for clergy, lay leaders, and parishioners. I hope you will read the full Parish Vitality Report. As you read about the growth and new life in many Families of Parishes and of the ongoing challenges of change, ask yourself how you might more actively contribute to your Family in the coming year, through prayer, participation, and giving. It takes each of us, members of Christ’s Body, the Church, to bring about vital parishes that are signs and witnesses to Christ’s love.
After you have read this Parish Vitality Report, please share your thoughts, insights, and experiences by taking the Parish Vitality Survey. Responses to last year’s survey helped shape the resources, opportunities, and support offered to pastors and Family leaders in 2025. Your responses will help inform future offerings as we continue to foster greater vitality in the parishes of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Very Reverend Jan K. Schmidt
Director, Department of Pastoral Vitality
Vital parishes are spiritually, physically, and financially healthy. They are filled with life that is evangelizing – leading people to Christ and sending members out with the Good News of the gospel in word and deed. Vital parishes order their resources toward this evangelizing mission so that they will be full, joyful, and centered on the Eucharist, nurturing an ever-closer relationship with Jesus and spreading the love of the Lord through charitable outreach.
No two parishes or Families of Parishes are alike. Each has its own history. Families of Parishes have differing opportunities, challenges, and pastoral needs within the parishes and the towns and cities in which each Family is located. Families have different capacities for growth and ministry; each is called to live and spread the gospel as only it can, through the people and life within the Family and the prudent stewardship of buildings and financial resources. A parish may have more than one campus, multiple church buildings, and/or multiple schools.
While Beacons of Light has a distinct timeline, with Families of Parishes creating plans toward unification by June 30, 2027, the ultimate goal of the process is for parishes to be healthy, vital communities filled with missionary disciples. The phases, principles, and parameters of Beacons of Light are designed as a framework for Families to move from maintenance to mission.
From the very start, Beacons of Light has been informed by data, providing objective insights into:
This Parish Vitality Report draws on the data previously collected and relies heavily on the Annual Planning Reports pastors submitted in November 2025. This report includes insights from the archdiocesan deans and Beacons liaisons, providing a progress report on the Beacons process at the midpoint of implementation. Additionally, most pastors and Family Leadership Teams (FLTs) met with Center for Parish Vitality staff in a Pathway check-in, designed to focus on current progress, challenges, and opportunities for future growth. Updated Mass attendance, sacramental data, and parish financial giving data are collected annually and are included in this report.
Beacons of Light is designed with building blocks to enhance pastoral life in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
Vital parishes must have the people and resources necessary to thrive.
Ministerial capacity is determined by people — leadership (clergy, staff, parishioner leaders), parishioners, and local demographics. Who are the people the parish is to serve and evangelize? Capacity also takes into consideration financial and material resources, including buildings.
Growing communities that live the foundational principles.
The effectiveness of parishes is determined by the manner and extent to which the six guiding principles are being lived out, each of which contributes to how well the parish is fulfilling its vision and forming missionary disciples.
Foundational elements that contribute to the vision and mission of Beacons of Light.
Principles are an articulation of foundational elements that contribute to vital parishes of missionary discipleship. Addressing the principles ensures parishes are moving from maintenance to mission in a comprehensive way.
Common expectations for all Families of Parishes; what every Family must or must not do.
The parameters establish common expectations for all parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in the Beacons of Light process, ensuring every parish is addressing important aspects of civil and canon (Church) law, has key leaders in place, and is collaborating with other parishes appropriately.
The Parish Vitality Report highlights progress and challenges of Beacons of Light. Share your experience in your Family of Parishes by responding to the Parish Vitality Survey.
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