ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

MARCH 2003

The Pastoral Plan for the parishes of Cluster 33 was submitted to Cardinal Bevilacqua in October 1997. Now, after five 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 33 Advisory Council 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?

Advisory Council members agreed that a high level of energy was needed for the "monumental task" of restructuring (i.e. the consolidating of two parishes, the closing of some parishes and schools, the twinning of two parishes, and the reducing of the number of priests assigned here). Even with all that has been done, some restructuring issues have yet to be addressed regarding St. Agatha-St. James, St. Clement, St. Irenaeus, and Good Shepherd parishes. A proposal was made to re-evaluate the twinning of St. Francis de Sales and MBS parishes. As a result of Cluster Pastoral Planning, Catholic Social Services has opened a community office at the former Our Lady of Loreto Rectory. Advisory Council members saw that other goals of the Plan have not been accomplished (e.g. the hiring of a Youth Ministry Coordinator). A new Cluster Coordinator for Evangelization (a volunteer position) is needed. The person who held this position has relocated.

During the course of the meeting, Monsignor Conway (Regional Vicar) announced that Cluster 33 must work toward the reduction of one parish priest by June 2004 due to the diminishing number of priests throughout the Archdiocese, as well as the decreasing number of registered members in the parishes of the Cluster. This may mean further restructuring.

Cluster 33 Advisory Council members will meet next on April 30. At that time, feedback on this information, from the individual Parish Pastoral Councils and other parishioners, will be considered.