ARCHDIOCESAN OVERVIEW
Established as a diocese in 1843 and as an Archdiocese in 1880, The Archdiocese of Chicago serves more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties in Northeastern Illinois, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese is divided into six vicariates and 29 deaneries. This local church is pastored by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., assisted by six Episcopal Vicars, each responsible for a vicariate (region).

CATHOLIC POPULATION:

2,341,000
Catholic Population as percentage of total
population of Cook and Lake counties: 39%

Racial/Ethnic composition of Catholic
Population of Archdiocese:

White: 1,193,000 – 51%
Hispanic: 938,000 – 40.1%
African American: 92,,000 - 3.9%
Asian/other: 104,000 - 4.4%
Multi Racial: 14,000 – 0.6%

PARISHES:

Number of Parishes: 363
Baptisms: 38,500
First Communions: 27,600
Confirmations: 21,000
Weddings: 7,300
Funerals: 14,600

Scheduled Masses
Weekend Masses Scheduled in Parishes and Missions: 1,732
English: 1,327
Spanish: 266
Polish: 95
Other Languages (17) 44

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Elementary schools: 217
Secondary schools: 39 (As of July 1, 2006)
Elementary school enrollment: 68,369
Secondary school enrollment: 27,828

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Enrollment in elementary school programs: 96,777
Enrollment in secondary school programs: 11,332

SEMINARY SYSTEM

St. Joseph College Seminary
Enrollment: 47

Mundelein Seminary
Enrollment: 204

Seminary Discernment/Formation Programs

Abramowicz House: 4
Casa Jesus: 10
Tuite Program: 2

CATHOLIC COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

6 Catholic colleges and universities serving 47,800 students

CATHOLIC CHARITIES

1.1 million people served
160 types of services
158 locations

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES

47 Catholic cemeteries
17,500+annual interments

CATHOLIC HOSPITALS

20 Catholic hospitals
22 Campuses
3.5 million people assisted annually

YEAR OFSPIRITUALITY
January 2007 to December 2007

Cardinal George celebrated his Tenth Anniversary as Archbishop of Chicago May 7, 2007. The event was celebrated around the Archdiocese with Masses, interfaith services, receptions, and a gala dinner. The Cardinal also held a Dinner for the People, where Cardinal George, assisted by the auxiliary bishops and members of the Clergy, served dinner to over 300 people from parishes across the Archdiocese.

In June 2007, the parish of St. Raphael the Archangel was established in Antioch.

DIOCESAN PRIESTS, DEACONS, WOMEN AND MEN RELIGIOUS, AND LAY PERSONNEL IN THE ARCHDIOCESE

Diocesan Priests (including active and retired) 818
Religious Priests: 844
Religious Brothers: 298
Women Religious: 2,151
Permanent Deacons: 637
Certified Pastoral Associates: 98

Pastoral Ministers : 437
(includes Ministers of Care, liturgists, music directors, Hispanic ministers, RCIA leaders and parish nurses).

Full-time Teachers and Administrators in Archdiocesan School System

Elementary Schools: 3,809
Secondary Schools: 1,743
Total: 5,552