What demographic and cultural changes has the Diocese of St. Cloud undergone in its recent history? What is the situation right now?
The diocese is working toward a new parish pastoral plan expected to launch in the summer of 2019.
The Visitor has compiled current and historical data to help paint a picture of the changes the diocese has experienced over the last few decades.
What surprises you the most? What does this mean for the future of the diocese? These and other questions are being considered in parishes across the diocese as the diocesan pastoral planning process continues its search for viable and vibrant solutions to the predicted shifts in the number of both priests and Catholics within the 16-county area of the diocese.
*** Catholic school student numbers are for elementary schools and don’t include Pre-K students
Sources: Kenedy Directory, Minnesota State Demographic Center and U.S. Census Bureau 2015
The Visitor is publishing an occasional series on the diocese’s current pastoral planning process. For past stories, visit: http://stcloudvisitor.org/category/pastoral-planning.
Next up:
Lay leadership: What is the current situation in the diocese? What is envisioned moving forward?