Numbers tell us tails!
Throughout October we took the annual Mass attendance count at all eleven Mass that take place within the parish. Our average weekend attendance was 2,662 people. This is down by 140 from last year. We must look into the reasons for this drop and reach out more to disaffected Catholics.
Our Together in Mission Campaign has met its target and is well on the way to its final pledged mount. We had to raise $92,500, we pledged $118,360, and so far $102,527 has come in which is a marvelous testament to the generosity of the parish as always.
So far the Josephite Mission appeal has raised from the parish $25,605, which with other odd individual donations from other sources is now at $28,560. These bucks will have a lot of bang in our African Province supporting the formation of seminarians and Children. Thank you.
So I thank you again from the depth of my heart for your kindness to these two campaigns that in their varied ways really aid and develop the Church’s mission at home and abroad.
But we must look at those falling numbers. Perhaps call on St Monica in prayer (who prayed constantly for her wayward son Augustine to return to the practice of the faith) for your loved ones and friends who are disaffiliated from the Church at this present time, that they might return.
May God bless you, your families, and the week ahead,
Fr Aidan Peter