One Area Catholic Community’s approach emerging from All Things New
This article is adapted from a podcast interview with Father Erik Lundgren, one of two pastors of Holy Saints ACC, and Kelli Kleinschnitz, faith formation director, hosted by Amber Walling. Holy Saints Area Catholic Community includes the parishes of St. Mary, Help of Christians in St. Augusta; Holy Cross in Pearl Lake/Marty; St. Wendelin in Luxemburg; St. Anne in Kimball; and St. Nicholas in St. Nicholas.
When Father Erik Lundgren and Kelli Kleinschnitz of the Holy Saints ACC launched a simple postcard campaign last October, they weren’t sure what to expect. The goal was straightforward: invite fallen-away or under-practicing Catholics to share their stories through an anonymous survey. The incentive? A chance to win $500. The hope? To understand why so many have drifted from the Church — and what might draw them back.
The postcards featured a QR code linking to the survey and promoted an event with Matt Birk, former Minnesota Viking, who spoke about his faith journey Jan. 14.
“We wanted to know sincerely,” said Father Erik, “what motivates people — or doesn’t — to go to church.”
The survey
“What’s exciting, new and unique about our survey and approach,” said Father Erik, “that is different from a national Pew Research or CARA survey, is that this is done at an ACC/parochial level and has an immediate connection to a follow-up outreach initiative. Almost everyone responding is a friend or relative of a parishioner and likely a former parishioner him or herself. This is why we’re hopeful for follow-up outreach — it’s still a pretty tight evangelical net.”
The survey asked respondents to reflect on three phases of their spiritual life:
• Childhood: What was their Catholic experience like? Did they attend Mass regularly? Who influenced their faith — positively or negatively?
• Young adulthood: When did they notice their Mass attendance decreasing? Why?
• Current path: Do they still identify as Catholic? If they attend a different faith community, what do they love about it? What did they appreciate from their Catholic upbringing?
“We wanted to give them space to share honestly,” said Kleinschnitz, director of faith formation. “Not everything is roses and sunshine. Some experiences were painful, and we wanted to acknowledge that.”
Empowering parishioners and sparking conversations
Although the survey targeted those who had fallen away, it unexpectedly energized active parishioners.
“We gave them something practical,” Father Erik explained. “Instead of just saying, ‘Evangelize your kids,’ we handed them a tool.”
The response was immediate. At the first Mass where postcards were distributed, 100 cards disappeared within minutes.
“I had to run to my car for more,” Father Erik laughed. “People were hungry for a way to reach out.”
For Kleinschnitz, the campaign became deeply personal.
“I shared the survey in my family group chat,” she recalled. “I expected crickets. Instead, two relatives responded within minutes. That level of vulnerability was powerful.”
What the numbers say
To date, about 150 people have completed the survey — a significant number considering the campaign relied solely on postcards and word-of-mouth. Among the findings:
• 71% attended Mass every Sunday as children.
“I expected that number to be lower,” Kleinschnitz admitted. “It shows faith was deeply woven into family life.”
• The top reason for leaving? Feeling disconnected from the parish. Nearly 40% cited this, surpassing even the abuse scandal (32%). Other common reasons included disagreement with Church teachings, busy schedules, and — perhaps most striking — simple honesty: “I got lazy.”
“That honesty gives me hope,” Father Erik said. “We can address these issues. There’s no silver bullet, but there are steps we can take.”
What they value elsewhere
Respondents who now attend other faith communities highlighted qualities they find compelling: authentic relationships, vibrant worship and transparency.
“They want Sundays to feel exciting,” Kleinschnitz explained. “They want to be surrounded by people eager to learn and grow — and to talk openly about how Jesus has changed their lives.”
This longing for vulnerability and connection challenges Catholic parishes to look inward. “It’s easy to say, ‘I’ll pray for you,’” Kleinschnitz noted. “It’s harder — and more transformative — to say, ‘Let me pray with you right now.’”
A call to mission
Both leaders see the survey as a wake-up call.
“If we spend all our energy maintaining seven church roofs, we’ll never get to this,” Father Erik warned. “Our mission isn’t just preserving buildings. It’s helping people encounter Christ.”
Kleinschnitz agrees, “Other faith communities have teams — multiple pastors, tech staff, social media managers. We’re trying to build momentum without changing resources. We need to invest in people and ministries that foster connection.”
That investment isn’t only financial. It’s cultural.
“We need to train volunteers and staff in accompaniment,” Kleinschnitz said. “One negative interaction can plant a lie that someone is unwelcome. We have to be intentional.”
What’s next?
The team plans to share survey themes and make the Google form available to other Area Catholic Communities. They hope the findings will inspire ministries focused on welcoming people back — or welcoming them into something new as parishes restructure under the diocesan All Things New initiative.
“This is the perfect time to refocus,” Kleinschnitz said. “When we merge parishes, how will we welcome people? How will we create communities where vulnerability and discipleship thrive?”
For Father Erik, the answer lies in clarity of mission.
“Change is hard,” he acknowledged. “But if we know what we’re about — saving souls, bringing back lost sheep, helping people encounter Christ — then everything else in strategic planning becomes secondary, as it should be.”
The next step? Listening even more closely.
“We think the Holy Spirit is onto something,” Father Erik said with a smile. “And we’re excited to join in.”
Join Father Erik, Kelli and former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk as they talk about this survey and the future of the Church in a series of podcasts.