EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CLUSTER PASTORAL PLAN FOR CLUSTER 64
In a letter dated July 24, 1998, Cardinal Bevilacqua accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan submitted by the Cluster
Pastoral Planning Committee for Cluster 64. A communal Cluster celebration for the parishes is being planned for
Fall, 1998. The following is a summary of the highlights and goals of the Plan:
The parishes of Cluster 64 which includes Holy Spirit Parish, Sharon Hill; Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton Heights;
Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Secane; Saint George Parish, Glenolden; Saint Joseph Parish, Collingdale; Saint Gabriel
Parish, Norwood; Saint Eugene Parish, Primos have developed a five year pastoral plan representing the broad interests
and concerns of the Cluster parishes. This Plan was developed through a process of prayerful reflection, dialogue,
consultation, collaboration, and consensus. During this process, the Cluster parishes have shared their gifts with
one another, seeking to strengthen the work of Christ and the Mission of the Church in this particular area.
The Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee reviewed the Mission Statements and Parish Self-Study reports of each
parish to assess the needs, concerns and resources available. In the context of twelve meetings from March 1997
to June 1998, the Committee discussed internal and external factors and circumstances including strengths, limitations,
challenges and opportunities present in the Cluster of parishes. From these were developed goals, objectives and
action plans for the Cluster. Consultation was sought with the Parish Pastoral Councils and parishioners throughout
and the feedback received was incorporated into the discussions and consensus. The Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster
64 will help focus the pastoral energies, activities and resources of the Cluster parishes over the next five years
as the Third Christian Millennium dawns.
Cluster 64 is forming an Implementation Committee which will meet at least three times per year. This Committee
will consist of two lay representatives from each of the parishes. The Committee is charged with the task of making
the Cluster Plan for Cluster 64 a reality and will oversee the work of subcommittees being established to achieve
the goals of the Plan as well as provide information sharing, education and guidance for the Cluster parishes.
This Committee will provide update reports to the Pastors, Parish Pastoral Councils, and the Regional Vicar. The
structure of the Implementation Committee will be reviewed after one year.
There are four goals which the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee established. They are: Lay Leadership Training;
Adult Education; Promoting Catholicism; and Priest Personnel.
In the area of Lay Leadership Training, the objective is to have formally trained lay leaders to implement the
Parish Mission Statements through the parish organizations, programs and activities. A Committee will be formed
with no more than two lay representatives from each parish. The Committee will identify the lay leadership needs
within the parishes and provide workshops to meet these lay leadership needs. The workshops will be hosted by the
Cluster parishes but participation will be open to other parishes as well.
In the area of Adult Education, the objective is to develop an Adult Education program in Christian living for
the enrichment in faith of practicing Catholics and for the awakening in the faith of the non-practicing Catholics.
An Adult Education Committee will be organized with membership from each parish to develop topics, identify speakers,
establish schedules of presentation, determine location and obtain funding. This Committee will consult with the
pastors of the parishes for direction and will be responsible for the implementation of the plans.
In the area of Promoting Catholicism, the objective is to promote Catholic teaching on current events and issues
in the Cluster. A Committee will be formed with representation from each parish to research what is being done
and what is working. This Committee will develop a specific plan to present to the Parish Pastoral Councils and
Regional Vicar. They are charged with the responsibility to review and evaluate methods of marketing that are cost
effective and feasible as well as to review the objective, plan and implementation of this goal annually.
In the area of Priest Personnel, the objective is the appropriate assignment of Priest Personnel. The Cluster
Pastoral Planning Committee sought to make recommendations in light of the Office for Clergy's projection of available
priest personnel in the year 2000. Office for Clergy projections for the Cluster indicated a reduction of two priests
available to the Cluster parishes around the year 2000. A recommendation was being formed that Holy Spirit Parish,
Sharon Hill be reduced one priest. This has occurred already. It is recommended that Sacred Heart Parish, Clifton
Heights be reduced one priest by the year 2000. This will necessitate some adaptions in scheduling of services
at Sacred Heart Church and Saint Hedwig Chapel, as well as the enlistment of a Polish speaking priest to assist
with Sunday Mass. This plan will be revisited semi-annually in light of the circumstances at each Cluster parish
and the worship site.
The work and information gathered by the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee has been quite detailed. The information developed by the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee will be made available to the Implementation Committee as well as the three Subcommittees to assist them with the implementation of the Cluster goals.