ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

NOVEMBER 2003

Cluster 33 Parishes Enter Next Phase of Pastoral Planning

Cluster 33 / Philadelphia-South Vicariate

St. Agatha-St. James	St. Francis de Sales
St. Barnabas	Good Shepherd
St. Clement	St. Irenaeus
St. Cyprian	Most Blessed Sacrament

Since March 2003, Cluster 33 Advisory Council members have been meeting monthly to evaluate their 1997 Cluster Pastoral Plan, to identify and address current pastoral needs, and to plan for the foreseeable future. A major factor in their planning is the significant decrease in the number of registered members in the parishes of the southern end of this Cluster in recent years. Also, early in the planning process, Monsignor John Conway (Regional Vicar) informed Advisory Council members that Cluster 33 must work toward the reduction of "at least one parish priest" by June 2004.

At a recent meeting, Advisory Council members reached consensus on three proposals to be presented to parishioners for their constructive feedback. Their proposals reflect their determination to re-create the parish structure for the southern end of the Cluster which would provide an adequate number of buildings to serve the pastoral needs of our people, and not have the burden of underutilized buildings distract us from carrying out the mission of the Church. Since the intent, therefore, is to downsize facilities and not diminish the pastoral care of the people, Advisory Council members are interested particularly in parishioners' suggestions on what a newly-created parish in Southwest Philadelphia should offer. The following scenarios are being put forth for consideration:

• Consolidate St. Clement, Good Shepherd and St. Irenaeus parishes to form one new parish, using the buildings of the present Good Shepherd Parish; the church building of the present St. Irenaeus Parish serving as an additional worship site of the newly-created parish. All of the parish buildings at St. Clement would be closed.
  
  
• As part of the restructuring of three parishes into one, have the Darby-Colwyn, Delaware County section of the present St. Clement Parish become part of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Darby (Delaware County Vicariate/Cluster 63).
  
  
• Close SS. Clement-Irenaeus School and make St. Barnabas an "area Catholic elementary school"; use the former Good Shepherd School building as a second campus.
  
  
• The restructuring of these parishes and schools would be effective July 1, 2004.

Each pastor within the Cluster will solicit and record the input of the parishioners. Parishioners' feedback will be presented at the next meeting of the Cluster 33 Advisory Council. Further information in this regard will be offered in parish bulletins and verbal announcements. Please keep these planning efforts, and the Advisory Council members, in your daily prayers.