Dear Parishioners:
Last week, I submitted our annual parish report, called the Status Animarum, to the Diocese. Status Animarum means the "State of Souls". It is a report of all the statistics of our parish life. This annual report includes the number of registered households and the number of sacraments administered. The Status Animarum is particularly characteristic of the Roman Catholic Church. The parish registers were prescribed in the Rituale Romanum, published in 1614 by Pope Paul V. At first, they contained only data on sacraments received, religious knowledge, and religious affiliation. In the 18th century, additional data, such as household numbers, were added. Today, it is the common practice of the Catholic Church across the country, including the Diocese of Providence.
The Status Animarum for the Church of Our Lady of Mercy reports there are 1,841 registered households. This total is an increase of twenty-four additional families registered from last year's report. These registered households number 6,220 men, women, and children. Fifty-five children were baptized as Catholics at OLM last year. This number is an increase of fifteen children from the previous year. Last year, seven adults were received into the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, which is an increase of three. Last year, 62 received First Holy Communion, an increase of 4. There were 58 Confirmations, an increase of 9. The number of marriages doubled last year, from four to eight. And forty-two souls were laid to rest from our parish, a decrease of four.
These statistics are important for assessing a parish's health and vitality. Across the northeast, including the Diocese of Providence, there is a steady decline in the Church's sacramental life. Fewer Catholics are coming to Mass, going to Confession, having their children baptized, getting married in the Church, and increasingly not choosing a Mass of Christian Burial.
However, our parish statistics, while lower than when I first was assigned here thirteen years ago, do show a healthy and vital practice of the faith. There is certainly much room for improvement and more growth. In a parish of over six thousand souls who claim OLM as their parish, we don't see them all at Mass on Sunday!
The reality is that many Catholics have decided that Mass and the sacraments are not necessary for their lives. Also, fewer children are being born today, and more young couples are choosing to cohabit or get married on a beach in Aruba. While Mass and the sacraments may not seem necessary to the lives of many Catholics, they are certainly essential for their eternal salvation. Pray for them. We'd love to see them all back, and so would the Lord. There are signs of hope for the future of the faith.
A recent study by Harvard University confirmed the trend among the so-called Generation Z, which saw a 6% increase from 2022 to 2023 in those identifying as Catholic. Here in the Diocese of Providence, there are robust groups of young Catholics very actively practicing their faith. Providence College routinely has dozens of collegians enter the Catholic Church or return to receive Confirmation.
Our Catholic schools in the Diocese report an increase in students. OLM School began the year with 271 students across Grades Pre-K3 through 8, the largest overall enrollment since the 2017-2018 school year. Our increase of 31 students from last school year is the largest increase we have seen since the fall of 2002.
I want to thank the many faithful parishioners who practice their faith with devotion, dedication, and fervor. I thank you for your generous support of Our Lady of Mercy Parish with time, talent, and treasure over the past year. Your generous response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is a true blessing in helping us to be missionary disciples of Jesus Christ and making our parish family strong in faith, hope, and love. Please continue to pray for OLM parish and school.
May God our heavenly Father bless us, provide for all our needs, and reward our generosity and faithfulness. It’s November, pray for the souls in purgatory. Be well. Do Good. God Bless. Go Pats!