Parish Vitality Report
2026 | Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Each year, it is gratifying to read the Annual Planning Reports from each Family of Parishes and to talk with deans, pastors, and parish leaders about their continuing progress toward the Beacons of Light goals and fostering even greater vitality in our parishes.
In general, Sunday Mass attendance is up, parish revenues are holding steady, and our archdiocese is poised to continue growing in faith, worshiping together, evangelizing others, and serving those in need. The ultimate goal of Beacons of Light is to ensure that our parishes are vital, vibrant communities of faith that — as Archbishop Casey likes to say — can “meet the missionary moment” that we find ourselves in today.
The Center for Parish Vitality is committed to continuing to provide resources and support for pastors and parish leaders — true missionaries — as we near completion of the project phase of Beacons of Light. In addition to the many resources available on the Pathway platform (updated regularly), we have some specific tools and events which we trust will support parish leaders going forward:
Plan Local: Some of the most life-giving work we do is meeting with the leadership of each Family of Parishes to discuss the issues important to them, their struggles, and their successes — up to and including their discernment about coming together canonically as one parish. In collaboration with other offices of the Pastoral Center, the Center for Parish Vitality takes the lead on delivering custom solutions to each Family of Parishes to help them work toward a more vibrant and vital future.
Data-Driven Decision-Making: The Center for Parish Vitality will continue to support pastors and Family leaders by providing access to data to aid in critical decision-making. Through rigorous analysis of key factors, such as demographics, finance, Mass attendance, sacramental practice, school enrollment, etc., we can assist parish leaders in making data-driven decisions with as much information as possible.
Family Unity Discernment: Between spring 2026 and summer 2027, each Family of Parishes will participate in Family Unity Discernment as a capstone for the project phase of Beacons of Light. Through this synodal process at the deanery and Family levels, each Family of Parishes will best discern the use of its resources, find opportunities for collaboration within the deanery, and prepare for a vital future.
Helping Hands: In partnership with the Pathway Lead (a parish staff member) from each Family, our more than 20 liaisons (Center for Parish Vitality part time staff members) continue to serve most Families of Parishes in support of pastors and their teams, bringing to bear some of the best practices in parish vitality.
Thank you to everyone who continues to work tirelessly to support our parish leaders in the Beacons of Light process. Together, we can bring about renewed vitality in our Families of Parishes and look toward a hope-filled future in which our parishes will truly radiate the love of Christ as beacons of light!
Archbishop Casey recently announced an archdiocesan synod in the coming two years. A diocesan synod is a time of prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit and to one another, culminating in a general assembly with representatives of the clergy, vowed religious, and laity to assist the local bishop. Synod 2027 will be an engagement of our whole archdiocese to consider what the Holy Spirit may be asking of the Church of Cincinnati at this moment. The goal will be to discern needs and recommend to Archbishop Casey the pastoral priorities for the future.
This Parish Vitality Report notes pastoral leaders’ (pastors, pastors, and parishioner leaders) specific actions. There is much progress to celebrate, and there are many areas that need attention and change in the coming years. There are ways parishioners can contribute to their Families to bring about the transformation envisioned in Beacons of Light, leading to greater parish vitality and missionary discipleship. Now it is time for each of us to take action, deepening our commitment to Christ and to one another.
Archbishop Casey calls us to move from fear to faith. Let each of us pray, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us as we increase vitality in our Families of Parishes. Ask the Lord to give priests, staff, and parishioner leaders the wisdom to take bold steps toward mission, so that our parishes will spread the gospel and share Christ’s love in new and deeper ways. Let us pray for open minds and hearts as our Families of Parishes move more firmly toward becoming one evangelizing community of faith.
Look again at the six foundational principles of Eucharist, Church, Leadership, Stewardship, Evangelization, and Love in Action. Prayerfully consider which area would most benefit from your active participation. Find ways to be formed in faith, become involved in ministry and service, and give financially to support the mission of the Church in your Family of Parishes and in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Our capacity to grow and meet the missionary moment is only as strong as it can be when every person does what he or she can do, engaging fully, moving from fear to faith.
Over 2,500 people responded to the Parish Vitality Survey last year. The survey results give Archbishop Casey and his staff, pastors, and parish leaders insight into parishioners’ experiences in their Families of Parishes, the progress and challenges parishioners perceive, and their hopes and dreams for the future. Please share your experience by responding to the 2026 Parish Vitality Survey.
Throughout Synod 2027, clergy, vowed religious, and laity — in other words, you — will lead and be invited to participate. Your participation will be facilitated through open local gatherings and through discernment of delegates to the culminating General Assembly planned for the second half of 2027.
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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