SPECIAL COMMUNIQUE TO THE PARISHIONERS OF
SAINT CLARE AND SAINT PETER PARISHES
The demand for Catholic elementary school education is becoming increasingly critical because of the ongoing population
growth in this area of Montgomery County. Because of this many of our parishes in Montgomery and Chester Counties
are either expanding their education facilities or planning to increase their capacity.
As a result of Cluster Pastoral Planning in Cluster 76, Saint Clare Parish has recently opened an Early Education
Program at a leased facility which presently includes Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. The vision of Saint Clare
Parish is to open a complete elementary school facility, and eventually a worship site, on property located at
Swamp Pike and Neiffer Road in Limerick Township. A feasibility study conducted in 2000 determined that the parish
could not support a new building campaign at that time.
As a result of Cluster Pastoral Planning in Cluster 77, Saint Peter Parish is planning on building a new school,
and eventually, a worship site on property on Sanatoga Road in Lower Pottsgrove Township. It's present school and
parish site in Pottstown is inadequate, especially for the future projected growth. Saint Peter Parish embarked
on a Capital Campaign and currently has a pledge program established to build these facilities. Current financial
support for this project is still being sought.
The dilemma for both parishes is how to provide adequate Catholic elementary school education and worship facilities
for their parish, keeping in mind the current, extremely high cost for capital construction. In light of these
circumstances and because of the proximity of their adjoining parishes, the pastors of both parishes met with Monsignor
John Marine, the Regional Vicar. They decided that the Pastoral and Finance Councils of both parishes should begin
a process of meeting in joint session to discuss their common challenges, as well as explore various possibilities
to address them. Thus far, the two parishes' councils have met in joint session on two occasions. It should be
understood that these discussions are very exploratory. There are no preplanned or pre-determined outcomes.
It is the desire of everyone involved with this process to keep parishioners informed in a timely fashion. Opportunities
for your input will be provided. In the meantime, all parishioners are asked to pray for these Council members,
that they be enlightened and blessed as they sacrifice their time and talents in their efforts to address the need
for Catholic elementary school education and other parish facilities as well.
Father Thomas Duffy, Pastor, Saint Clare Parish, Linfield
Father Edward Kuczynski, Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Pottstown
Further information regarding the Cluster 76 and Cluster 77 Plans can be found at www.archphila.org