Catholic parishes see record growth ahead of Lenten season

GRANGER, Ind. — Some Roman Catholic parishes are reporting rising membership for the first time in years, and it appears a new generation of worshippers is starting to fill the pews.

Some reporting higher numbers than before the COVID-19 pandemic drastically cut attendance.

It was a busy Ash Wednesday for local parishes, including St. Pius X Catholic Church on Fir Road in Granger, where ashes were being distributed Wednesday.

They are welcoming a record number of new members into their parish this Lenten season.

The numbers show a record-breaking number of new Catholics after years of decline. The Diocese of Fort Wayne South Bend will welcome 786 new members into the church in 2026.

St. Pius X Catholic Church and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart are seeing the highest number of converts.

At Sacred Heart Basilica at Notre Dame, 76 people are preparing to become Catholic, more than double what they saw in 2023.

“What’s really remarkable about it is how many of them don’t have a religious background at all,” said Will Kuehnle, director of Christian initiation at St. Pius X.

Kuehnle converted to Catholicism as an adult and now serves as the director of Christian initiation at St. Pius.

“So, I’m very moved as I think about the experience they are going to go through,” he said.

He said while they welcome new members, they are also welcoming many back to the church.

“Ash Wednesday is an invitation for them to come back and take another look at the church that perhaps they haven’t attended for a few months or a few years even,” Kuehnle said.

With ashes on his forehead. Nicholas Plencner, a South Bend Catholic, shared his Lenten promise.

“My Lent is to work on myself,” Plencner said.

“I strayed away from the church for a long time,” Plencner added.

At the University of Notre Dame, sophomore Nina Heim said she is adding something to her life this Lent.

“So, my mom is big on adding something to your life during Lent so what I’m doing this Lent is writing three things I’m grateful for at the end of every day,” Heim said.

Kuehnle said the exact reason behind the growth is hard to pinpoint, but for many young people, they are looking for a sense of community and connection.

“Many of them are speaking to a sense that they’re disconnected from the world and from people around them from their peers that maybe has to do with technology or who knows what but they’re feeling the sense of alienation,” he said.

He also pointed to new leadership bringing familiarity in the modern era.

“Last May, when an American was named the pope, the Google search for how to convert to Catholicism spiked and I think we’ve caught some of that wave at Saint Pius,” Kuehnle said.

Sunday, St. Pius will welcome Bishop Kevin Rhoades and 433 people who will become members of the church this Easter for a Rite of Election Mass.