Informal Evaluation by the Cluster Implementation Committee
Cluster 76
St. Clare Parish, Linfield, Pa
St. Eleanor Parish, Collegeville, Pa.
St. Mary Parish, Schwenksville, Pa.
St. Philip, Neri Parish, Pennsburg, Pa.
Sacred Heart Parish, Royersford, Pa.
During the Spring, 2003, the Cluster Implementation Committee conducted an informal evaluation of the Cluster Pastoral
Plan in consultation with the Parish Pastoral councils. The purpose of this informal evaluation was to determine
the current status of the cluster plan. They considered the following questions:
1. What action(s) has (have) been taken to carry out the Cluster Pastoral Plan?
2. What action(s) still need(s) to be taken to meet the goal(s) of the Cluster Pastoral Plan?
3. To what degree has the vision of the Cluster Pastoral Plan been implemented?
4. Were any new needs discovered or new actions taken during the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan?
5. What obstacles, if any, stood in the way of the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan?
The committee found the following
actions that have been taken and actions that still need to be taken include:
Goal # 1 To provide adequate facilities for all parishes in the Cluster.
- The archdiocese purchased a tract of land in Limerick Township for the possible eventual construction of a St. Clare school & center and Church.
- Because of projected increased enrollment, the boundaries of St. Clare, St. Eleanor, St. Mary, & Sacred Heart parishes are redefined. The Sacred Heart area consolidated school was disestablished in June 2002 and now serves only 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 two more years) for a professional building (with about 8000 square feet) less than ¼ mile from their present church. It is being used as the St. Clare Catholic Elementary School which includes, Kindergarten, & Pre-Kindergarten, 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.
- St. Eleanor Parish focused on expansion and facility improvements to accommodate the growing community. Their recent $3.8 million campaign resulted in the following Church alterations: increased seating capacity, Sanctuary improvements, a Narthex, daily Mass Chapel with a capacity to seat 120 people, Baptismal pool, cry room, and upgraded restroom facilities. Some other enhancements include: additional office & meeting room capacity, and additional parking.
- St. Philip Neri Parish conducted its five-year review of the parish Self-Study in 2002. The Parish Pastoral Council approved a three-fold program for the parish: (1) Parish Outreach (Parish Visitors); (2) Evangelization (Alpha, Bible Study); (3) School Self-Study (School Action Plan). All three areas have been implemented and progress is being made for the parish.
- Sacred Heart Parish, Royersford, has received approval to proceed with plans to build a parish center and hopes to begin construction in May 2003.
- St. Mary Parish, Schwenksville, initiated construction of their new education
center with clearing and grading the land, digging detention ponds, and relocating utilities. Planned opening of
the facility is scheduled for during the 2003 - 2004 school year.
There continues to be an increase of administrative needs with the continued growth of the parish and school enrollment.
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, Pa. Approximately 350 lay ministers attended, including extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, lectors, ushers, musicians, vocalists, catechists, and teachers. Eleven lecturers gave presentations on various topics including the Eucharist, music and cantors, proclaiming the Word of God, religious education, teen involvement, and the Mass. The attendee's thought the day was very informative and ministers from each parish exchanged ideas.
- 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, Pa.. This location enables not only Cluster 76 parishes to take advantage of their courses but other local parishes as well. The majority of the initial class consists of Cluster 76 parishioners and is quite successful.
- The "outreach committee" (established under goal # 4) evolved into the "inter-parish lay ministry committee". Its purpose is to obtain a general understanding of the needs of each parish through contact with the various Pastoral Councils, study the objectives & report their findings to the Cluster Implementation Committee to see if any of these needs can be met by sharing programs on a cluster level.
There is a need for ongoing formation and enrichment
Goal # 3 To bring back non-participating parishioners.
- Most of Cluster 76 parishes are addressing this Goal through "Outreach" programs (Goal # 4). The Cluster Implementation Committee is now reviewing evangelization programs on a Cluster level.
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, Pennsburg, PA.
- 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.
- This goal continues to be addressed through the Archdiocesan Vocation Program entitled "Philadelphia: Priest Call". Materials distributed by the Archdiocese are handed out in the churches and posters are displayed. Recently, a subcommittee from each parish was formed to continue to implement this goal in the cluster.
Obstacles, that have stood in the way of the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan are:
Volunteer time is constrained by other commitments.
The financial resources of the parishes has been affected by the economy and the church scandal and this was not factored into the pastoral studies.
Status of the Plan
In light of the information collected, the Cluster Implementation Committee in consultation with Parish Pastoral Councils recommended to the Regional Vicar that the status of the plan be
To continue - implementation
is not complete, new data does not indicate a need for revised cluster plan but further work is required on the
current plan.
Comments were as follows -
-we need to clarify the fine line between training / enrichment
-when various group committee meet needs will surface
-defining interaction / information exchange / training
-strong and clear on various parish organization and activities within Cluster group
-determine geographical problems w/redistricting of boundaries
-parish organization becomes primary / need clear focus for good foundation of Cluster.