The Diocese of El Paso will conduct the annual Mass attendance count on the weekends of October 12-13 and 19-20 at your local parish, including seminaries, monasteries, UTEP campus ministry, and televised Masses. Make sure you and your family are part of this year’s Mass attendance count.

Why is this important? The Mass attendance count has been conducted since 2016 in the Diocese of El Paso because it provides insightful data to the Bishops of El Paso, Bishop Mark Seitz, Auxiliary Bishop Anthony C. Celino, the diocesan clergy, religious and parish administrators. This data helps track Mass attendance in the Diocese of El Paso and the nation. Last year, the Catholic Bishops in the United States create a Eucharist Revival movement that invites everyone to a personal encounter with the Real Presence in the Eucharist and inspired a movement across the United States. Fr. Mark Salas, Our Lady of Assumption Pastor, attended the National Eucharist Congress this past July in Indianapolis and shared with us his experience: “Kneeling in a sports arena with fifty-five thousand people from all over in darkness, silence and stillness before Jesus in the Eucharist, you realize everyone hungers for Jesus and Jesus hungers for everyone.”

How is the count managed? The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso coordinates the Mass attendance count under Karina Sandoval, Stewardship Coordinator. Sandoval mentions, “We send parishes a fillable form, instructions, and clickers, and we ask Parishes to send us the form to calculate the average between the two weekends.” After all parishes have sent their forms, the Catholic Foundation prepares a report for the Diocese and publishes it for the general public.

Where can I see the results? The Mass attendance count report will be released to all parishes in November. Please check your parish bulletins or visit the Catholic Foundation website and social media for results. The Rio Grande Catholic Newspaper will publish the results in the December issue. This report will include Mass attendance in English, Spanish, bilingual, and other languages. Also, televised attendance viewership will be included.

Can I help count at my local Parish? YES! If you are interested in assisting your Pastor in this year’s Mass attendance count, please contact your local parish or Karina Sandoval, Stewardship Coordinator at the Catholic Foundation, at 915-872-8412 or at ksandoval@catholicfoundationelpaso.org. If you need to view your Parish Mass schedule, please visit www.elpasodiocese.org.

This data is vital to continuing the evangelization efforts in the Diocese of El Paso, so please make sure you and your family are counted!

“Each Sunday, he blesses and embraces you, sharing your daily joys and pains by feeding you with his Body and true food. He is there, in Indianapolis, El Paso, and down the street from your home! It’s not a feeling, a message, nor a TV show, but a presence, a meal, and a communion by which Jesus fulfills his promise to you- to be with you- until He comes again.” – Fr. Mark Salas.