As summer winds down, I hope you’ve had some time to rest and recharge. Personally, I’ve had to remind myself of that daily—otherwise, I’d just keep working. It’s simply in my nature!
Even during these quieter months, CaDRIS has been hard at work. Our mission remains clear: to build a trusted system of record—a true “Gold Copy”—for every Catholic in the United States. This vision guides every decision we make, from technology development to partnership conversations. And lately, there’s been no shortage of exciting progress.
Here are a few key updates I’d like to share:
1. Building a Blackbaud Partnership
We’ve officially begun the application process to become a Blackbaud partner. This relationship will enable us to build APIs into RENXT, providing seamless integration for dioceses and parishes already using Blackbaud’s tools. Just as importantly, it will give CaDRIS visibility in the Blackbaud Marketplace, where church leaders can discover solutions designed specifically for them.
2. Smarter Parishioner Engagement Tracking
We recently added a simple—but powerful—feature: a check box on parishioner records to distinguish between active parish members and those who identify as Catholic but are not actively engaged in parish life. For dioceses and parishes, this distinction is critical. It reduces unnecessary costs on mailers and helps focus outreach efforts where they can make the greatest impact.
3. An Enhanced Dashboard for Leaders
Our dashboard has been upgraded to provide a clear picture of key metrics, including:
- Total number of Catholics
- Active Catholics
- Families
- Churches
- Active priests
This kind of visibility makes it easier for dioceses and parishes to plan, allocate resources, and better understand the communities they serve.
4. Strengthening Security
We’ve implemented additional layers of security to protect sensitive information within the CaDRIS database. Safeguarding Catholic data is not just a priority—it’s a responsibility.
5. Forming a Board of Advisors
We’re actively assembling a Board of Advisors to help guide CaDRIS forward. If you’re interested in learning more about what this role entails, I’d love to connect.
6. Introducing “First 12” Pricing
We’re finalizing a special pricing structure for the first 12 dioceses or parishes that commit to using CaDRIS. We’re calling them our “12 Apostles”—early partners who will help shape the future of Catholic record-keeping.
7. A Limited-Time Test Period
To make it easier for dioceses and parishes to experience CaDRIS firsthand, we’ve created a test box and are offering a free trial period. This allows church leaders to explore the platform in real-world conditions before making a longer-term decision.
It’s been a particularly busy few months, and on top of it all, I’ve been “learning” how to pray the Rosary—a spiritual practice that has given me both peace and challenge. Hopefully, Labor Day (also my birthday!) will give me a chance to truly unplug for a bit.
That said, I’d love to continue this conversation with you. If any of these updates sparked your interest—or if you’d simply like to learn more about CaDRIS—I’d be glad to set up a quick Teams call.
Wishing you a joyful close to summer.
Blessings
Paul Oliu
Founder, CaDRIS
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