There is a quiet crisis unfolding in many of our parishes — not one of scandal or sudden collapse, but of slow, steady decline managed with remarkable efficiency. Year after year, the same programs are run, the same events are scheduled, the same classes are offered, and the same plans are dusted off and re-executed.

I know the title of this blog will get some people up in arms, but before you get the pitchforks out, bear with me a bit and I will try to make my argument. Before I get to the nitty-gritty, let’s examine a few facts: