ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Cluster 76 Pastoral Planning Implementation Committee

Communique No. 2, April 2002

Cluster 76 Implementation Committee of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has met for eight (8) times since the approval of the Cluster Pastoral Plan by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua in April 2000. Cluster Pastoral Planning is a prayerful, reflective process which addresses the changing needs of the Church in our cluster, including schools, clergy, and Catholic population.

Cluster 76's Implementation Committee consists of two (2) representatives from each of the Cluster parishes plus the pastors of the Cluster parishes, and is moderated by Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine, Vicar for Montgomery County. Cluster 76's Implementation Committee meets regularly to track achievement of plan goals and to give direction and/or assistance to subcommittees carrying out the Cluster Plan goals, actions, and objectives.

The following work has been undertaken between June 2000 and January 2002.

Goal # 1 To provide adequate facilities for all parishes in the Cluster.

• The Archdiocese purchased a tract of land in Limerick Township for the eventual construction of a St. Clare Parish school & center ( with future plans to build a church). However, the results of a Feasibility Study, St Clare Parish initiated to assess the degree of support for a Capital Building campaign, revealed that St. Clare is not in a position to support such a financial responsibility at this time.
• The boundaries of St. Clare, St. Eleanor, St. Mary, & Sacred Heart Parishes are redefined. The current Sacred Heart Area Consolidated school will be disestablished in June 2002, and will become the parish School solely for Sacred Heart Parish. Cluster pastors will continue to accommodate the needs of St. Clare elementary school children as their space permits.
• St Clare Parish entered into a three year lease (with an option for 2 more years) for a professional building (with about 8,000 square feet) less than ¼ mile from their present church. It is currently being used as the Parish Center, supporting all the parish religious education programs (CCD, RCIA), and all other Parish organizations such as the Elizabeth Ministry, Moms & Tots, Youth Group, & Ladies of St Clare association. In addition, the Center is used for Parish Council meetings, Parish Finance committee meetings, rotating Cluster Implementation & Cluster Sub-Committee meetings, as well as other parish gatherings.
• This new Parish Center will be the beginning of the St. Clare Catholic Elementary School. Planning is progressing and an early childhood center is scheduled to be the first phase of this process beginning with Pre-K and Kindergarten classes in September 2002.

Goal # 2 To establish a training program for all lay ministers in the Cluster.

• The sub-committee formed to achieve this goal has recognized the need for spiritual enrichment as well as the training needed for lay ministers. Planning for a Fall 2002 Cluster Liturgy Workshop is ongoing. Speakers, presenters, and topics are being identified and scheduled. All active liturgical lay ministers would be expected to attend.
• As part of an ongoing training program, our Cluster 76 parishes will be able to take advantage of the "Church Ministry Institute" program scheduled to begin at St. Pius X high school, Pottstown, Pa., in September 2002. This new location will enable Cluster 76 and other local parishioners to take advantage of this program, without traveling longer distances. The Church Ministry Institute program includes courses in Old & New Testaments, Christian Prayer & Morality, Liturgy, Spirituality for Ministry, to name a few. It is designed to provide lay men & women with spiritual development integrated with preparation for ministry, service, and pastoral skills. Please contact your pastor for more information & how to apply.

Goal # 3 To bring back non-participating parishioners.

• Most of the Cluster 76 parishes are addressing this Goal through "Outreach" programs (Goal # 4). The Cluster Implementation Committee will address the possibility of Evangelization programs on a Cluster level in the future.
  
  

Goal #4 To establish outreach programs to benefit Cluster parishes.

• A sub-committee formed to review this goal has succeeded in identifying and defining the Cluster 76 parishes' individual programs and parish contact points. The material was then collected and summarized into a Cluster 76 PARISH ORGANIZATION DIRECTORY and distributed to the cluster parishes. This directory is scheduled to be updated annually and distributed to all parishioners.

• Sr. Patricia Kelly, appointed by the Archdiocese to be the Catholic Social Services Director for Montgomery County, is participating in the Cluster 76 meetings and attending various Parish Pastoral Council meetings. She is facilitating the identification and prioritization of each of the parish needs and providing training for new outreach programs. Her office is located at St. Philip Neri Parish, Pennsburg, Pa.

• The Cluster Implementation Committee recognized the need for more and better communication among the Cluster 76 parishes. Establishment of a "Cluster News" section in each of the Cluster parish bulletins is planned so all Cluster parishioners may share programs and events, where practical

Goal # 5 To seek sufficient priests to meet the needs of the people.

• This goal continues to be addressed through the Archdiocesan Vocation Program entitled "Philadelphia: Priest Call". Materials distributed by the Archdiocese is handed out in the churches and posters are displayed.
  
  

Volunteers to assist with the Implementation of any aspect of the Cluster Plan

are always welcome.

Further information regarding the Implementation of the Cluster Plan can be obtained by contacting your Pastor, Cluster Implementation Committee Representative, or accessing the Archdiocesan website archphila.org and clicking on Pastoral Planning -- Cluster Pastoral Planning.