ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Cluster 25 / Philadelphia-South Vicariate

The Pastoral Plan for the parishes of Cluster 25 was submitted to Cardinal Bevilacqua in October 1999. Now, after three and a half years of implementation, these parishes are undergoing an evaluation of the Plan. Such an evaluation is taking place in each of the 41 clusters of the Archdiocese.

At their March meeting, Cluster 25 Implementation Team members began this process by gathering information. This was accomplished, first of all, by answering five questions: What has been carried out? What still needs to be carried out? To what degree has the vision been implemented? Are there new needs to be addressed? What are the obstacles?

It was agreed that Goal # 1 of the Plan is being implemented via the introduction of "Disciples in Mission" (an evangelization program) in two of the three parishes. Also, door-to-door evangelization was tried in St. Martin de Porres Parish. In implementing Goal # 2 (to bring life and hope to the neighborhood), the parishes of the Cluster, along with their "partner parishes" (i.e. suburban parishes which link with urban parishes to share resources), used the facilities at Temple University Newman Center for a Cluster Workshop on Catholic Social Teachings. Visitation B.V.M. Parish holds night classes in their school building. The parishes continue to work closely with EPOP (Eastern Pennsylvania Organizing Project). Goal # 3 pertains to financial stability. St. Martin de Porres' Home and School Association raised funds for wiring for their computer lab. Regarding outreach to youth (Goal # 4), Jesuit Father Neal (associated with St. Malachy Parish) works with a youth group every Saturday. Goal # 5 was to develop lay leadership. The parishes of the Cluster held a workshop with the members of St. Benedict Parish Pastoral Council to discuss the role of laity in parish life. Visitation B.V.M. Parish has conducted a Stewardship Program. St. Martin de Porres Parish is informally identifying future leaders of the parish and sending them to various workshops.

Team members agreed that joint Lenten programs should continue. Also, there should be a follow-up with the "partner parishes" on a cluster level. It was suggested, too, that the Cluster may wish to consider the possibility of a gathering of the three Parish Pastoral Councils for one or more purposes (namely, educational, spiritual, social). One concrete suggestion was to have these three Councils share a retreat/day of recollection.

It was pointed out that new housing south of Girard Avenue will require a future assessment of the impact of a new neighborhood in St. Malachy Parish.

Status of the Plan

In light of the information collected, the Cluster Implementation Committee in consultation with Parish Pastoral Councils recommended to the Regional Vicar that the status of the plan be

To hold - implementation is complete, new data does not require a new cluster plan at this time.

Cluster 25 Implementation Team will meet next on May 6th. At that time, feedback on this information, from the individual Parish Pastoral Councils and other parishioners, will be considered.