April 15, 2012
AND FUTURE PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
**A parish is always more than statistics as they do not represent the whole of parish life. They were only one part of the larger picture when developing recommendations for parish mergers. They do, however, provide a snapshot of a parish's sacramental activity and a gauge to project stability, growth or decline.**
Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Cecilia Parishes (Coatesville, Chester County)
Saint Cecilia Parish will merge with Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, which has a large seating capacity, excellent facilities and is fiscally stable. The two parishes are 1.2 miles away from each other. The merger will also allow for a strengthened outreach to the Hispanic community in the area. Saint Cecilia Church will remain as a worship site. The pastor of the newly formed parish will be appointed with the regular priest personnel announcements in May.
| Our Lady of the Rosary Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 61 | 31 |
| Marriages | 13 | 3 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 905 | 774 |
| Saint Cecilia Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 35 | 22 |
| Marriages | 10 | 6 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 783 | 656 |
Saint Joseph and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parishes (Coatesville, Chester County)
Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish, which has a significant operating deficit, will merge with Saint Joseph Parish, which continues to serve a growing Hispanic population through multiple programs. The two parishes are 0.3 miles away from each other Saint Stanislaus Kostka church will remain as a worship site. The pastor of the newly formed parish will be appointed with the regular priest personnel announcements in May.
| Saint Joseph Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 19 | 10 |
| Marriages | 2 | 1 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 349 | 226 |
| Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 1 | 0 |
| Marriages | 2 | 1 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 249 | 188 |
Immaculate Conception, Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Vincent de Paul Parishes (Germantown)
Immaculate Conception Parish and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish and will merge with Saint Vincent de Paul Parish. The three parishes, which are less than 1.25 miles from each other, are staffed by the Vincentian Fathers. The Vincentians recently indicated that they need to reduce the number of priests in that area from three to two. The planned mergers have taken into account the spiritual and social service needs provided by the parishes currently. It is hoped that a centralized parish organization will better serve the people of Germantown.
Neither the Immaculate Conception nor the Saint Francis of Assisi church buildings will be maintained as worship sites. Both churches require serious physical improvements for which the parishes have no funds. Both parishes have relied heavily on Archdiocesan subsidies for several years. All parish assets, debts, buildings, and sacramental records will be transferred to the newly formed parish. The name of this parish will be Saint Vincent de Paul. The Vincentian pastor of the newly formed parish will be announced shortly.
| Immaculate Conception Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 1 | 2 |
| Marriages | 1 | 0 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 195 | 220 |
| Saint Francis of Assisi Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 11 | 2 |
| Marriages | 0 | 0 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 199 | 101 |
| Saint Vincent de Paul Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 13 | 15 |
| Marriages | 3 | 4 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 310 | 325 |
Holy Family and Saint Lucy Parishes (Manayunk)
Saint Lucy Parish, which has a significant operating deficit, will merge with Holy Family Parish, which is located less than half a mile away. The local regional Catholic elementary school is also located at Holy Family Parish. The Saint Lucy church will remain open as a worship site. The pastor of the newly formed parish will be appointed with the regular priest personnel announcements in May.
| Holy Family Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 16 | 23 |
| Marriages | 6 | 6 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 518 | 422 |
| Saint Lucy Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 5 | 5 |
| Marriages | 7 | 3 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 243 | 214 |
Saint John the Baptist, Saint Josaphat and Saint Mary of the Assumption Parishes (Manayunk)
Saint Josaphat Parish along with Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish will merge with Saint John the Baptist Parish, which is less than .25 miles away. Saint John the Baptist has the largest church building in the area and is the Mother Church of Manayunk. Saint Josaphat church and Saint Mary of the Assumption church will remain open as worship sites. The pastor of the newly formed parish will be appointed with the regular priest personnel announcements in May.
| Saint John the Baptist Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 48 | 55 |
| Marriages | 28 | 31 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 738 | 748 |
| Saint Josaphat Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 3 | 2 |
| Marriages | 2 | 5 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 314 | 198 |
| Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish: | 2006 | 2010 |
| Infant Baptisms | 6 | 7 |
| Marriages | 9 | 2 |
| Weekend Mass attendance | 259 | 276 |
Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart, Saint Ann and Saint Mary of the Assumption Parishes (Phoenixville, Chester County)
The merger plan for these parishes will be studied further to obtain more input and broader consultation. A final decision is expected within the next few months.
Holy Cross, Saint Benedict, Saint Madeline Sophie, and Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parishes (West Oak Lane/East Mount Airy)
The merger plan for these parishes will be studied further to obtain more input and broader consultation. A final decision is expected by the spring of 2013.
Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747