ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Cluster 76 Pastoral Planning Implementation Committee

Communique No 4, March, 2004

Cluster 76 Implementation Committee of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has met (17) seventeen 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 address 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 February 2004.

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

• Because of projected increased Catholic population in this cluster, the boundaries of St. Clare, St. Eleanor, St. Mary, & Sacred Heart Parishes have been redefined in an attempt to equally distribute Catholic families among the parishes.
• The archdiocese purchased a tract of land in Limerick Township for the eventual construction of a St. Clare School & Parish Center (with future plans to build a church). However, the results of a Feasibility Study St. Clare initiated in November 2000 revealed that St. Clare Parish was not at that time in a position to support such a financial responsibility.
• St. Clare Parish entered into a three-year lease (with an option for two more years) for a professional building (with about 8000 square feet) less than ¼ mile from their present church. It is being used for: the St. Clare Early Education Program which includes, Kindergarten, & Pre-Kindergarten 3 & 4 year old children; the parish religious education center (CCD, RCIA); a Parish Center to support Parish organizations such as The Ladies of St. Clare association, Elizabeth Ministry, Youth Groups and others. In addition, the facility is used for Parish Council meetings, Parish Finance committee meetings, rotating Cluster Implementation Committee meetings, and other parish activities.
• The Pastoral and Finance Councils of St. Clare and St. Peter Parish (Sanatoga/Cluster 77) met several times during spring and fall 2003. They have jointly recommended that:

1) Immediate collaborative efforts be initiated to build a new Catholic Religious Education Center (with an auditorium) to serve both parishes.

2) Further discussion will be needed about the formation of one new parish that could be established within a reasonable time frame.

A Strategic Planning Committee composed of representatives from both parishes will soon begin work on the details.

• The Sacred Heart Area Consolidated School was disestablished in June 2002 and now serves only Sacred Heart Parish. Cluster pastors continue to accommodate the needs of St. Clare's elementary school children as their space permits.
• Sacred Heart Parish is expected to complete construction of a new gym/auditorium, additional classrooms & office space in February, 2004.
• St. Eleanor Parish has completed church alterations: increased seating capacity, Sanctuary improvements, a Narthex, daily Mass Chapel, Baptismal pool, cry room, and upgraded restroom facilities. Some other enhancements include additional offices and meeting rooms, and additional parking. A study is underway to determine if additional classrooms and a cafeteria would be necessary and feasible to accommodate potential increases in the parish family population.
• St. Philip Neri Parish is not planning any major capital projects at this time. However, projections indicate an increase in local populations. If continued study identifies an upward trend, then the parish would conduct a feasibility study regarding the possibility of a new school.
• St. Mary Parish is expected to complete construction of their new Catholic Education Center in March 2004.

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

• The sub-committee formed to achieve this goal recognized the need for spiritual enrichment as well as reinforcing the ongoing duties of each ministry. As a result of extensive planning and preparation, a "Liturgical Lay Ministry Enrichment Day" was held on October 26, 2002 at St. Pius X High School in Pottstown. A number of lay ministers attended, including extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, ushers, musicians, vocalists, catechists, and teachers. Lecturers gave presentations on various topics including the Eucharist, music and cantors, proclaiming the Word of God, religious education, teen involvement, and the Mass.
• In response to the Cluster 76's Plan, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Church Ministry Institute opened a new location for their program (Old & New Testaments, Christian Prayer & Morality, Liturgy, Spirituality for Ministry, and others) in September 2002, at St. Pius X High School in Pottstown. This location enables not only Cluster 76 parishes to take advantage of their courses but other local parishes as well.
• An inter-parish lay ministry committee has been established in order to obtain a general understanding of the pastoral needs of each parish and to see how cooperation and sharing among the parishes could be helpful. At the present time, this subcommittee has brought together representatives from each parish who lead the parish's religious education programs (CCD) Pre Jordan (Pre Baptism), Pre Cana (Pre marriage), Pastoral Council. These gatherings will hopefully foster greater support and sharing of ideas among their leaders. They will also identify training and formational needs, which can be offered more effectively on a cluster level.
• The subcommittee is planning to hold another laity Formation Enrichment Day at Pius X High School in October 2004.

Goal # 3 To bring back non-participating parishioners.

• Mr. and Mrs. Bill Drennan, from Saint Eleanor's Parish, have been designated as the Cluster Coordinators for Evangelization. They work very closely with the Archdiocesan Office for Evangelization and make periodic reports to the cluster parishes sharing with them the latest initiatives of the Archdiocese regarding evangelization and how the parishes can access new initiatives for sharing the Gospel with the community.

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

• A sub-committee formed to review this goal succeeded in identifying the Cluster 76 parishes' programs and parish contact points. The material was collected and summarized into a "Cluster 76 Parish Organization Directory" and distributed to all Cluster parishioners. This directory is scheduled to be updated and distributed annually.
• Sr. Patricia Kelly, appointed by the Archdiocese to be the Catholic Social Services Director for Montgomery County, is participating in the Cluster 76 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.
• The Cluster Implementation Committee recognized the need for improved communication among the Cluster 76 parishes, and established a "Cluster News" section in each of the Cluster parish bulletins. The system is working well and all the Cluster parishioners are invited to share in any Cluster programs and events.

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

• A Cluster Vocation Committee has been established with representatives from each parish. They are working to identify initiatives and actions that could be done both in the parishes on a cluster level to foster vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Anyone who may wish to participate as a member of this Vocation Committee is asked to contact Father Andrew Brownholtz at St. Eleanor's Church at 610- 489-1647.

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