ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

March 2000
Issued: April 9, 2000

CLUSTER 17
IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
PHILADELPHIA - NORTH VICARIATE

The Cluster 17 Implementation Committee and Subcommittee Chairpersons met on March 13, 2000. The Chairpersons presented reports on what has been accomplished on the seven cluster goals since the last Cluster Meeting.

Prayer and Liturgy Subcommittee:
Father John Sibel has now become the chairperson of the Prayer and Liturgy Subcommittee.

Lay Leadership and Participation Subcommittee:
St. John the Baptist and St. Lucy Parishes have been the first two parishes to present written reports on a survey of each committee, activity, program, or ministry in their parishes. Findings emphasize the importance of encouragement from the pastor in encouraging leadership and participation, and that there is a value in the parishes sharing ideas and resources. Also, parishes can benefit from taking part in such community projects as St. Lucy's recent accomplishment in getting a stop sign on Green Lane.

Adult Religious Education Subcommittee:
After reviewing materials on a "Ministry Day" offered in another cluster, this subcommittee suggested that Cluster 17 attempt a similar Ministry Day or a Ministry Retreat.

Catholic Schools Subcommittee:
Father Francis Sabatini is the new chairperson of this committee. At a recent meeting of pastors and principals, the following three topics were the focus of discussion:

• The Neduscin Scholarship which has been offered to all families now attending public school who might be interested in sending their children to a Catholic or private school. All parishes have flyers about the scholarship.
• Sharing of resources, especially with Gifted Programs, e.g. Honors Math Programs. It was suggested that contact be made with the person in the Archdiocese who works with these programs.
• Grant Writing is important to the cluster. Names of resource people were given to Father Sabatini to be contacted.

The Subcommittee met after the meeting of principals and pastors and discussed the issues raised above.

Evangelization Subcommittee:
Father James Dever, O.S.F.S. has just assumed the chairmanship and has not had a subcommittee meeting yet.

Youth Subcommittee:
Mr. Matt Manion of the Young Adult Office of the Archdiocese met with this committee in February. He presented information on services offered by his office and on some of the activities of the Young Adult groups. St. Bridget Parish reported about the work going on with students from MCCP/Hahnemann and Philadelphia University. Other parishes noted that their groups have dwindled or become inactive. It was suggested that a program similar to one that Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish launched could be tried with involvement from other parishes. A core group of young adults would be needed to explore ways of implementing a program. Committee members will work with their pastors to identify people who might be willing to work on this.

St. Mary of the Assumption and St. Lucy Parishes expressed concerns that their high school students are unaware of activities going on elsewhere in the cluster. More effort will be made to communicate this information

Parishioners with questions regarding Cluster Planning are encouraged to call the Archdiocesan Cluster Planning Hotline at (215) 587-3868.