From 1997 to 2001, the number of parish households
in northern Douglas County increased from 3,900 to
6,400; an increase of about 2,500 households.
The population in Douglas County is 59,128 households.
If 17% of these households are Catholic, there could
be 10,000 Catholic households in the county.
Typical weekend Mass attendance is about 6,700.
Presently about 2,900 children are enrolled in religious
education programs for Pre K through 8.
Many Douglas County families go to the Archdiocese
of Denver to enroll in Catholic schools. They
will often register in the Denver parishes.
This accounts
for an additional 531 students who attend St.
Thomas More Catholic School or St. Mary’s Catholic School.
In Colorado Springs the ratio of religious
education enrollment to Catholic school enrollment
is about
3.8:1. Nationwide the ratio is usually closer
to 2:1.
