Thanks to all of you who participated in our parish Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey! The DMI survey measures overall parish health and helps to predict growth for St. Pat’s. Our results are in, and are really exciting and good news for our parish!

Our reality matches the prediction. With over 96% of respondents agreeing that they would recommend our parish, we have enjoyed substantial growth over the past several years - both in parishioner commitments and engagement. Daily Mass attendance is up from a handful four years ago to often forty or even fifty worshippers. You know this is not universally true of all churches or even of all Catholic parishes. We have something special going on at St. Pat’s. Both our quantitative counts and qualitative measures of enthusiasm and commitment are trending up. Enthusiastic Catholics are the current rule in Clear Lake, not some relic of the past. 

This is more than just happenstance. Much of the growth in activity and attendance springs directly from parishioner-led initiatives. An energized staff is a plus. The new Parish Center is creating increased opportunities for shared community and engaging with our faith. Our commitment to an open and welcoming parish means more opportunities for worship beyond Mass, like Adoration. Youth are engaged with expanded opportunities for quality learning and service. Our Knights of Columbus Council is active and a key asset in community service. Active Men’s and Women’s groups engage in bible study and apostolic discussion. Go down the list of our organizations and it’s good news from Social Justice to Altar Service to our relevant Parish Library. These results may or may not surprise in an urban parish. But we are doing the remarkable together in small town Iowa.