Opportunities & Challenges Synthesis
Parish Family #2 – Whatcom Catholic
“Opportunities & Challenges”
Whatcom Catholic parishioners came together to identify opportunities and challenges present in the wider community and parish family. This synthesis presents the most common themes shared.
Whatcom County Challenges
There is a growing need for evangelization, especially to reconnect with Catholics who have fallen away from the faith and to reach those who do not identify with any religion.
“Evangelization cannot occur without preparation. If we weren’t effectively catechized, then we must do something about it. If we are going to be ‘priests’ in our households, we need to step it up and be practicing Catholics. Would our children recognize us as Christians by watching us?”
Participants also emphasized the importance of supporting marginalized individuals, such as those experiencing homelessness and addiction, as well as veterans, widows, the homebound, single parents, and others.
“The homeless community, it breaks my heart, I try to make eye contact. I feel like Christ calls us to take care of the marginalized.”
The high cost of living in Whatcom County, including housing affordability and the rising cost of goods, services, and transportation, continues to place pressure on families and individuals. The distance between the seven Catholic church locations across the county creates challenges for participation in church life, including development of strong youth ministries. Access to social services is a struggle for many, especially for those in rural communities.
Concerns remain about the stigma surrounding the Catholic Church, including perceptions that Catholics are unwelcoming and misunderstandings about Catholic beliefs. We also struggle to engage youth the way other Christian denominations appeal to younger members.
Parish Family Challenges
The most common challenge shared about the newly formed parish family was ineffective communication. Examples included difficult-to-read bulletins, hard-to-navigate websites, limited messaging between parish locations, insufficient information to the Spanish-speaking community, and the lack of a consistent parish-wide communication plan.
“We need to have things more vibrant and that will make people more likely to come and participate. We aren’t aware of what is going on or the opportunities. No communication. Make it easy to participate.”
Parishioners also expressed concern about the lack of volunteer engagement, citing poor coordination, lack of information on opportunities to get involved, underuse of parishioners’ talents and gifts, and inadequate lay leadership development.
Financial concerns were frequently mentioned as well, including a lack of transparent reporting regarding financial viability, facility assessments, and building maintenance needs. Financial uncertainty also elicited fears about church closures and reduced hours to contact parish staff. Many acknowledged that current economic conditions limit people’s ability to give their time, talent, and financial support to the Church.
“We get used to the things that are broken and that’s not a good thing.”
Faith formation remains another significant challenge, with concerns that the Catechism and Catholic teachings are not consistently taught throughout a parishioner’s life, making evangelization and ministry more difficult. Finally, many parishioners expressed a desire for stronger personal relationships and greater connection with their parish priests. Many were concerned about priest burnout.
“I miss having a parish priest. A relationship. The shortage. A lot is being missed.”
Opportunities
Parishioners generously shared ideas and opportunities for strengthening the parish family and building a vibrant Catholic community throughout Whatcom County. A clear and effective communication plan was identified as essential for connecting and unifying the new parish family. Participants also emphasized the importance of improving information regarding volunteer opportunities, along with better plans for volunteer training and recruitment. There is a strong desire to better support existing parishioners, especially the elderly and widowed.
“Communicate, talk to one another, discover who needs us, foster connections, be the kind of Catholic that attracts others and lives the Gospel, support the single moms and dads, who in our parish needs us or is alone and wanting connection.”
Faith formation was another major focus, with calls for a consistent curriculum and shared expectations across the county, as well as more opportunities for people of all ages to grow in their faith through online programs, adult classes and full family catechesis.
Fellowship was frequently highlighted as an opportunity to create a more welcoming and inviting environment for both parishioners and newcomers. Many expressed a desire for stronger relationships within the Catholic community through small groups, parish gatherings, cross-cultural activities, and simple acts of hospitality.
“Maybe we don’t care about the right things, that’s welcoming people and engaging them; not so much about other things. A lack of hospitality will hurt us more in the long run than old buildings and a lack of priests.”
Support for these goals requires a comprehensive and transparent financial plan, consistent with Archdiocesan guidelines, that includes building assessments, a regular maintenance schedule, planned giving, fundraising needs, staff development and training, and clear communication about parish resources and priorities.
Synthesis compiled by: Charlotte Pros, Bill Zang, Andrea Smith, Gordon Plotts, Dennis Doyle, Tiffany McDonald, Hilary Padilla, Sonja Wolf, and Chris Craven
Listening Sessions held April-May, 2026 (5 sessions in English, 1 in Spanish) 282 Participants