ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Informal Evaluation by the Cluster Implementation Committee

Cluster 43

During the Spring, 2003, the Cluster Implementation Committee conducted an informal evaluation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan in consultation with the Parish Pastoral councils. The purpose of this informal evaluation was to determine the current status of the cluster plan. They considered the following questions:

1. What action(s) has (have) been taken to carry out the Cluster Pastoral Plan?

2. What action(s) still need(s) to be taken to meet the goal(s) of the Cluster Pastoral Plan?

3. To what degree has the vision of the Cluster Pastoral Plan been implemented?

4. Were any new needs discovered or new actions taken during the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan?

5. What obstacles, if any, stood in the way of the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan?

The committee found the following actions have been taken:

Goal #1 - Formation of a New Parish

The Cluster achieved this goal when Cardinal Bevilacqua established St. Elizabeth Parish on July 1, 2000.. The Cluster Implementation Committee asked to serve as the Planning Committee for the establishment of the new parish. The Office of the Vicar for Administration approved their request.

Goal #2 - Promote Involvement and Training of the Laity

The establishment of the Church Ministry program at Bishop Shanahan High School has brought diocesan level training into the Cluster.

The Cluster has offered inter-parish training for Extraordinary Ministers. Parishioners responded favorably to this program. The Cluster has offered a similar program for Stewardship.

Goal #3 - Develop Evangelization Activity

Parishes have recognized that Evangelization is the core of the mission of each parish. Each parish has pursued development of Evangelization efforts. Saint Thomas More Parish reported a positive response to the Neo Catechumenal Way. Cluster coordination of Pro-Life activities continues.

Goal #4 - Explore Catholic Elementary Education Opportunities

The Cluster Implementation Committee recognized that the individual parishes must address the goal of Catholic Elementary School Education at the parish level.

Goal #5 - Promote Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious Life

The Cluster Implementation Committee agreed that each parish must address this goal. The parishes participate in programs sponsored by the Vocation Office for Diocesan Priesthood.

Summary Remarks

The Cluster Planning and Implementation process helped committee members see beyond parish needs to Cluster and Diocesan needs. The Committee noted that need implies Cluster Planning, impels cooperation and proves that the Cluster Planning concept works. The Cluster Implementation Committee noted that the planning and eventual establishment of the new parish of St. Elizabeth was the highlight of the Cluster planning and implementation process and shows that Cluster Planning works where there is a need.

Actions that still need to be taken include:

• The Cluster hopes to share parish bulletins with other Cluster parishes and specifically with CCD Directors and Coordinators.
• St. Peter Parish has now moved to Cluster 42 and is planning with the other Cluster 42 parishes the development of a Regional Parish School for the Cluster 42 parishes.

No obstacles in the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan were identified.

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 develop or expand the Cluster Plan - the goals have been addressed but new information indicates that some new cluster plan actions will be needed.