ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

December 1999
Issued: December 3, 1999

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA ACCEPTS THE CLUSTER PASTORAL PLAN FOR CLUSTER 19
PHILADELPHIA - NORTH VICARIATE

I am pleased to inform you that Cardinal Bevilacqua has accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 19.

Located in the lower section of Philadelphia - North Vicariate, the seven Parishes of Cluster 19 make up the most ethnically, racially and culturally diverse area of the City of Philadelphia. Even though this diversity was a constant challenge to the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee, it is also a strength in the Cluster. Special attention and respect was given to members of the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee who needed time to translate in their native languages and to understand the cultural context of the discussions.

The Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 19 addresses the need of the Church to strengthen its commitment and resources, in the areas of sacramental education, youth ministry and social service outreach programs. The Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 19 includes the following nine goals:

Goal #1: Address the need for quality education on the Sacramental life of the Church for children, teenagers and adults.

Goal #2: Reach out to marginal Catholics and evangelize the uninitiated and unchurched.

Goal #3: Make quality Catholic education in parish schools affordable to children of all parishioners, as well as every child whose parents desire it.

Goal #4: Work at the Cluster level to increase our stewardship to support the mission of the Church.

Goal #5: Share resources to meet common spiritual and social needs.

Goal #6: Increase ministry to youth and young adults and promote their involvement in parish activities.

Goal #7: Call forward, educate and form lay leadership.

Goal #8: Address the allocation of diocesan priests in Cluster 19 in the year 2002.

Goal #9: Address the canonical status of Holy Angels Parish.

His Eminence, Cardinal Bevilacqua commends the Plan's commitment to provide quality education on the sacramental life of the Church for all age groups in the Cluster parishes. He also notes the Plan's intention to increase ministry to youth and young adults, with the expressed goal of integrating the youth and young adults in the life of the parish. He encourages the parishes to work with the Archdiocesan Office for Development to identify funding sources and in the preparation of proposals for funding the positions of Director of Religious Education in those parishes that do not have this position and Director of Youth Ministry for the Cluster

His Eminence commends the Plan for the importance it places on reaching out to marginal Catholics and evangelizing the uninitiated and unchurched. Acknowledging the rich diversity of the ethnic, racial and cultural demographics of Cluster 19, His Eminence asks the Cluster to remember to celebrate those things that are unique to each ethnic, racial and nationality group within each parish community.

An Implementation Committee will meet in the near future to begin the process of overseeing the implementation of the goals for the Cluster Pastoral Plan on a timely basis.