ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

MAY 1999
(Media Release - 5/17/99)

Pastoral Plan for Cluster 24 Accepted by Cardinal Bevilacqua
Cluster 24 / Philadelphia-South Vicariate

The Plan for Cluster 24 has been accepted by Cardinal Bevilacqua. In a letter to Monsignor John Conway, Vicar for Philadelphia-South, dated April 26, 1999, the Archbishop encouraged implementation of the Plan and offered his observations. His comments included commendation on the Plan's emphasis on evangelization, lay leadership, and ministry to youth and young adults. His Eminence encouraged, on a cluster level, an active promotion of vocations to the priesthood.

Some of the actions of the Plan follow.

.St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Parish be consolidated with St. Paul Parish, with St. Paul being the parish and St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church becoming a worship site, effective July 1, 2000.
.The parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish be allowed to stay with the understanding that, if he leave after 2000, he would not be replaced.
.St. Stanislaus Parish be twinned with St. Adalbert Parish in 2002.
.St. Paul School close in June 1999.
.St. Casimir School begin a feasibility study, with a decision effective in 2000.

.Establish workshops to educate parishioners regarding roles of the laity.
.Develop a Cluster calendar and coordinate programs within the Cluster.
.Promote multi-cultural education within the Cluster.
.Study the feasibility of hiring a coordinator of youth ministry within the Cluster.
.Begin a Cluster Young Adult Club.
.Have a Mass for young adults Cluster-wide.
.Establish Welcoming Committees.
.Create Bible study and small community prayer groups for young adults.
.Hold open house at churches of the Cluster.

Cardinal Bevilacqua expressed his gratitude to all those who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.