In preparing to do some writing I came across a statement I made about parishes in 2005. It is as true today as it was then:

We are in the midst of much change in this country in how we understand and provide parish life and Eucharistic communities.  People are longing for smaller gatherings of faith-filled people of prayer.  They are longing for Eucharistic communities that are vital and alive.   They are frustrated with what has been happening and longing for something new.  Holding onto the past, trying to do the same thing we have always done, but with fewer resources, is only intensifying the pain.  People are experiencing a sense of being lost even as they persevere in deep fidelity.  

How are we, today, addressing these challenges?  The Catholic population is gorwing and so, too, are parishes. Large demands are being made on priest pastors as they serve mega or multiple parishes.   The numbers of permanent deacons and laity serving in both pastoral and professional positions is growing.  The face of the parish is indeed changing.