text: Alexandra...after a good nights sleep I was inspired to pull up the CARA stats:
  
  http://cara.georgetown.edu/frequently-requested-church-statistics/
  
  And here is what I came up with....
  
  To begin with...2016
  
  Lowest number of US priests-37,000 (less, fully active)
  Highest number of permanent deacons-18,173
  Lay Professional Ministers-23,149
  Lay Ecclesial ministers- 39, 651
  Parishes without pastors-3499
  
  Seems to me the Spirit is sending us a LOT more lay helpers....
  And a lot fewer "religious" and many Catholics are leaving... (30.1 million Catholics "move on" and the baptism numbers are bad, et al)
  
  Think the trends are fascinating...wonder when the hierarchy will seriously adjust?