ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

CLUSTER 62 IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
Office of the Vicar for Delaware County
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia
1797 South Sproul Road
Springfield, Pennsylvania 19064-1195
Phone 610-543-6759 - FAX 610-543-6823
October 2000

This communiqué summarizes the status of the Cluster 62 plan for the seven Catholic churches in Springfield and Drexel Hill.

Evangelization: Currently ensuring that each Cluster parish has a program, such as Landings, that encourages inactive Catholics to better understand the Church and to renew their participation in the life of the Church. Five Cluster parishes now have active programs, those parishes are: Holy Cross (contact Sister Alice Gray RSN 610-853-1499), Saint Andrew (contact Mrs. Mary Ann Johnston 610-259-4711), Saint Dorothy (contact Sister Antoinette Marie RSN 610-853-9801), Saint Francis of Assisi (contact Mr. Art McGuire 610-544-5023) and Saint Kevin (contact Mr. James Jansen 610-543-4361). These Cluster parishes will share their knowledge and experience to expand evangelization programs to other parishes. Now evaluating the availability of existing bible study groups in Cluster parishes.

Ministry to Youth and Young Adults: The Life Teen program for high school youth continues at two parishes, Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Kevin in Springfield. There are active youth groups at three other parishes, Saint Andrew the Apostle, Saint Charles Borromeo and Saint Dorothy in Drexel Hill. Please consult parish bulletins for youth activities schedules. Also, working to establish a group for young adults in the Cluster.

Adult Education, lay ministry and family ministry: Presenting a program for Pastoral Council members (from Cluster 62 parishes) at Neumann College in September. Another training program for organization leadership is being considered. Also, developing a "day of recollection" for Eucharistic ministers from Cluster parishes.

Catholic Education: Developing a promotion of Catholic education benefits and seeking more support for Catholic schools. Interviewed Directors of Religious Education and teaching personnel to learn about Parish Religious Education Programs (formerly CCD) for students not attending Catholic schools.

Vocations: Investigating ways to encourage parents in fostering vocations. Contacting the seminary director of vocations about vocation development. An actuarial study indicates there will be 100 fewer priests in the Philadelphia Archdiocese by the year 2010 unless there is an increase in vocations.

Social Justice: Scheduling a lecture in November on social justice issues for Cluster parishioners. Survey of Cluster parishes has provided a preliminary assessment the populations, needs and social justice issues within Cluster 62.

The six subcommittees continue to organize their resources and develop plans to implement their objectives. Also, they are working to obtain information and resources from Cluster parishes, from the archdiocese and from other sources in the region to implement the Cluster plan.

The Cluster 62 Implementation Committee reviewed the status of the Cluster 62 plan in September and provided guidance to the six subcommittees. The Implementation Committee will meet again in November. The seven parishes of Cluster 62 are working together and sharing resources to address those issues where the Cluster can work more effectively than individual parishes to meet the changing needs of parishioners and to strengthen and renew Cluster parishes. Quarterly communiqués on progress and activities will be issued to parishioners of Cluster parishes.

Parishioners wishing to ask questions about the Cluster 62 program or desiring to assist any subcommittees may consult with their pastor or their parish Cluster representatives.

The Cluster Implementation Committee assists the Vicar of Delaware County, Reverend Thomas J. Smith, in oversight and liaison for the Cluster plan. Representatives of the seven parishes participating in Cluster 62 are: