JUNE 2004
Cluster 21 Parishes Pray and Plan Together
| St. Barbara St. Callistus St. Donato St. Ignatius of Loyola Our Lady of Angels |
Our Lady of Lourdes Our Lady of the Rosary Our Lady of Victory Our Mother of Sorrows St. Rose of Lima |
| Since their March 2003 Communiqué, the Cluster 21 Council has gathered the members of the Parishes of the
Cluster for an evening of recollection and continued discussions on possible restructuring. One congregation has
received word that their Parish will be staffed by Religious Priests and Brothers. Directed by Sister Mary Catherine, IHM (St. Rose of Lima Parish) and representatives from the Parishes of the Cluster, an Evening of Recollection at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary was held on May 12th. It consisted of Evening Prayer, Benediction, Dinner and Faith Sharing. More than 180 parishioners from throughout Cluster 21 participated. At their December 1, 2003 meeting, Cluster 21 Council members reviewed a proposal from the representatives of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Victory Parishes to initiate a study to determine the feasibility of merging these two Parishes. After much discussion, Council members offered their support, and asked to be kept informed as the process unfolds. Since then, a Steering Committee (consisting of parishioners of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Victory) has been formed. The Committee has met several times, and will continue to meet about twice a month. Recently, the Steering Committee identified five Subcommittees to assist in the Feasibility Study. These Subcommittees are to look at buildings, communication, finances, research and schools. The people of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish received word from Cardinal Rigali that the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (Mercedarians) will be staffing their Parish beginning in late June. Consequently, Father James Sherlock, who has been their Pastor for the past 19 years, will be transferred. He has been appointed Pastor of St. Colman Parish in Ardmore. The members of the Cluster 21 Council take this opportunity to thank Father Sherlock for his dedicated interest and involvement in Cluster projects and activities through the years. In 2000, he was most supportive of the creation of a Cluster Committee for Youth Ministry. Father James Mayer has been appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. The Mercedarians have been in this Archdiocese for more than 25 years. |