Every Sunday, around 3500 people--Anglos and Hispanics--attend the parish where I minister as a retired priest. At the same time, I am taking care of a small parish of wonderful people I deeply love. I see people in both parishes trying to live their faith. Trying to be closer to God. There are only two full-time priests in the parish: the Pastor, a wonderful, quite conservative "John Paul" priest, and a Colombian priests who ministers to our several thousand Hispanics. The parish staff is professional and dedicated. 

With the best people in the world, there is only so much time and so much energy. We are still trying to work into an effective parish model that deals realistically with our situation. Our pastor is quite visionary on this. 

Why the fall-away? Don't put all the blame on the parish. It is part of a larger culture reality that is costing every organization. There is the impact of "mixed marriages." Our youth are part of a confused and alienated millennial generation.