Current News and Updates
2008 October | November | December
2009 January | February | March | April |May | June | July | August | September-October | December
2010 January | February
On Friday, May 7, 2010, the Decree establishing Emmaus Catholic Community has been published in the Diocesan Star Herald and accompanying this Decree is the 'Recourse Against Administrative Decrees". Both documents are displayed in the vestibule of both churches.
The The Decree becomes effecive on June 9, 2010
From the submission of the Pastoral Planning Report and the Readiness for Review Document to the Diocesan Merging Review Committee to the Merger Date:
After one year of monthly and sometimes weekly meetings, we have finally reached the point where we have accomplished significant progress toward our merger: We are at Step #8
Activity:
Transfers files to Chancellor's Office
Timing
Within 2 work days of on-site meeting with Core Team & Diocesan Merge Review Committee
Activity
Send Priest Convener a copy of their civil statues and template to prepare letter formaly requesting merger.
Timing
Within 3-5 work days of receiving file.
Activity
Write and send letter formerly requesting merger. Carefully craft a few sentencesexplaining reasons why merger is requested. These sentences (or part thereof) will be used in rationale for decree of merger. Also be sure to indicate worship sites or if one of the churches will not be used in the future.
Timing
As soon as possible after reviewing the civil statues.
Activity
Scheduled meeting of the merging Parish Boards of Trustees. Date for meeting is dependent on availability of all the parish trustees which include Bishop Galante and Monsignor McGrath. Diocesan Attorney Martin McKernana, Jr., Esq. is present.
Meeting with Trustees scheduled for April 28th
Timing
Upon notice that the Bishop's Office has received letter formally requesting merger. Letter & Statues delivered March 15
Activity
Provides formal consultative vote on the merger.
Timing
First Presbyteral Council Meeting after letter officially requesting merger has arrived in Bishop's Office.
Status Presbyterial Council met and approved the merge
Activity
Drafts decree for merger
Timing
After #3 and #4 are completed and Bishop Galante gives formal approval.
Activity
Requests parish seals to be brought to Chancery. Notifies pastors/administrators of merging parishes that their office will cease upon merger.
Timing
After #3 and #4 are completed.
Activity
Signs and Publishes decree of merger
Timing
When #5 is completed.
February 23
The DMRC gathered with the Core Team and Priest Convener collectively, to review the assessment made by the various members who have been reviewing the merger work. They made a final determination and the DMRC affirmed the readiness to merge .What is next?
Next Stages
The DMRC notifiesthe Bishop and Chancery of their determination.
The next steps then are to prepare the governing statutes under Church and Civil law. This work takes from 30-60 days. Once completed the decree of merger is issued.
January
13
Various members of the DMRC have met with our Core Team and Priest Convener as part of the DMRC assessment of the merger planning. The plan for Facilities Management, Safekeeping of Parish Records, Finances, Information Technology, Real Estate, and Human Resources were included in this review. Their findings were all positive and the Core Team was commended for their work.
December
9
The Core Team and Convener met for their last meeting in the planning process of the merging of Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity. They reviewed the diocesan checklist for one final time, and then each Core Team Member as well as the Convener signed the Pastoral Planning Report and the Readiness for Review Document to be submitted to the Diocesan Merging Review Committee(DMRC).
10
The Convener, Fr. Bradley, hand delivered the report for the merger of Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity to the DMRC.
December
Current News from the Convener and Core Team
After one year of monthly and sometimes weekly meetings, we have finally reached the point where we have accomplished significant progress toward our merger. On Wednesday, December 9th, the Core Team and Convener met for their last meeting in the planning process of the merging of Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity. They reviewed the diocesan checklist for one final time, and then each Core Team Member as well as the Convener signed the Pastoral Planning Report and the Readiness for Review Document to be submitted to the Diocesan Merging Review Committee. This report was hand delivered to The Diocesan Merging Review Committee by the Convener, Fr. Hugh Bradley on December 10th. The process now begins and will take approximately 3-4 months to receive a merger date, depending on how many other mergers are before us.
-Thank you for your time and patience,
Convener and Core Team
September-October
After one year of monthly and sometimes weekly meetings, we have finally reached the point where we have accomplished significant progress toward our merger. There are steps in place which must be followed both civilly and canonically to see the merger through to its completion. It is tedious work but our convener, Father Hugh Bradley, in addition to our meetings and his own parish in Blue Anchor, has worked the diocesan checklist carefully and thoroughly.
Father Bradley and core team members, Rebecca Barnes, Patrick Bocchiochio, and Fred Repsik, have been working daily on readying the old Sacred Heart School for use by the new Emmaus Catholic Community. The new parish business offices for our pastor, secretary, bookkeeper, and CCD coordinator will be located in the school. There will also be a general meeting area for conferences to be held or for group meetings.
One room will be dedicated to the histories of both Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart parishes. The memory room is an ongoing process and will likely not be completed until after the merger is decreed. Perhaps historians from both parishes would be interested in volunteering their time and talents to making the room a wonderful place to visit and preserving the rich heritage which is attached to both of our churches.
All rooms will be painted and readied for our CCD program. Each grade will have its own self-contained classroom which is a huge improvement over the church basements where our children now receive their instruction. Our convener has reached out to several closed catholic schools to look at desks and/or tables and chairs for those classrooms.
Bids are also going to be received for the removal of the old Sacred Heart church, which is located next to the rectory, to add additional parking space. We, the core team, are cognizant of your concerns regarding the lack of parking space and are working diligently to find a solution to this problem.
Our next meeting will be held on November 11th.
August
August 26
On Wednesday, August 26, 2009, the convener and core team met with representatives of the Camden Diocesan Office.
Finance: Edward J. LoCasale, Director of Financial Services, led the discussion with the Finance Councils from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart Parishes. Representing Holy Maternity were Jamie Applegate and Bob Daily. Pat Taylor represented Sacred Heart. Mr. LoCasale will be available to assist them as they prepare for the creation of the new parish.
Human Resources: John Raftery, Human Resources Director, presented an overview of all that will be required from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart as we move toward the completion of the merger.
Both Mr. LoCasale and Mr. Raftery pledged their assistance and availability to the convener, core team, councils and committees throughout the transition.
August 5
The selection process of the newly merged parish name was accomplished after several weeks of voting. As you are aware, each parishioner was asked to submit their choice for the newly formed parish name. The top eight names from those ballots were then put to another vote. The eight names were: Emmaus Catholic Community, Holy Saints of Christ, Holy Innocents, Saint Gerard Majella, Pope John Paul II, Blessed John XXIII, Parish of the Holy Apostles, and Our Lady of the Crossroads. The names which received the most votes were, in order of popularity, as follows: Our Lady of the Crossroads Catholic Community, Catholic Community of Pope John Paul II, and Holy Saints of Christ Catholic Community. Following very closely were Emmaus Catholic Community, Holy Apostles Catholic Community and Holy Innocents Catholic Community.
Our convener, Father Bradley, will submit those names, in the order that they were selected by the parishioners, to Bishop Galante. The names alone are not the only criteria for the Bishop’s approval. Each name submitted must be accompanied by the rationale for choosing that name and the availability of a feast day. There is also the possibility that the names submitted by us for approval may have already been authorized for another merged parish. Hopefully our selection process is complete and we will not have to go through the voting process a second time.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the voting. A special thank you to John Kendall (Holy Maternity) and Mario Alibrando (Sacred Heart) for all of their efforts in making the voting process as seamless as possible. It is an extremely tedious procedure and one which could not have been done without them (and their wives). Father Bradley did an outstanding job at the Wednesday night voting in his Power Point presentation of the top eight names, the rationale behind their selection, and possible feast days for each. He is really quite skilled in the IT department.
Thanks also to the core team who supplied the wine, beer, cheese, pepperoni, wings, crackers, cookies, juice boxes, soda, etc. It was well worth the countless hours that have been spent in meetings, etc., when we can finally see the horizon in the distance.
The core team will next be meeting on August 5, 2009 and a report will be placed in the bulletin to keep you apprised of our progress. As you can see, it doesn’t quite end here. Enjoy the rest of your summer
July
July 29 - Core Team Meeting - Final Vote for Selecting Top 3 Names for New Parish
The selection process of the newly merged parish name was accomplished after several weeks of voting. As you are aware, each parishioner was asked to submit their choice for the newly formed parish name. The top eight names from those ballots were then put to another vote. The eight names were: Emmaus Catholic Community, Holy Saints of Christ Catholic Community, Holy Innocents Catholic Community, Saint Gerard Majella, The Catholic Community of Pope John Paul II, Blessed John XXIII, Holy Apostles Catholic Community, and Our Lady of the Crossroads Catholic Community. . The names which received the most votes were, in order of popularity, as follows: Our Lady of the Crossroads Catholic Community, The Catholic Community of Pope John Paul II and Holy Saints of Christ Catholic Community.
Our convener, Father Bradley, will submit those four names, in the order that they were selected by the parishioners, to Bishop Galante. The names alone are not the only criteria for the Bishop’s approval. Each name submitted must be accompanied by the rationale for choosing that name and the availability of a feast day. There is also the possibility that the names submitted by us for approval may have already been authorized for another merged parish.
Father Bradley will hold aside the names of Emmaus Catholic Community, Holy Innocents Catholic Community, Saint Gerard Majella, Blessed John XXIII, and Holy Apostles Catholic Community, in the event that Bishop Galante does not approve any of the initial submissions. Hopefully our selection process is complete and we will not have to go through the voting process a second time.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the voting. A special thank you to John Kendall (Holy Maternity) and Mario Alibrando (Sacred Heart) for all of their efforts in making the voting process as seamless as possible. It is an extremely tedious procedure and one which could not have been done without them (and their wives). Father Bradley did an outstanding job at the Wednesday night voting in his Power Point presentation of the top eight names, the rationale behind their selection, and possible feast days for each. He is really quite skilled in the IT department.
Thanks also to the core team who supplied the wine, beer, cheese, pepperoni, wings, crackers, cookies, juice boxes, soda, etc. It was well worth the countless hours that have been spent in meetings, etc., when we can finally see the horizon in the distance.
The core team will next be meeting on August 5, 2009 and a report will be placed in the bulletin to keep you apprised of our progress. As you can see, it doesn’t quite end here. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
July 11 - Core Team Meeting
The convener and core team met on Saturday, July 11th at St. Lucy’s Church in Blue Anchor. The results of the parish naming suggestions were tallied. The eight finalists were determined from the submitted ballots.
At the Masses on Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th the parishioners from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart will vote for one of the eight finalists.
If you are available and would like to cast your vote in a social setting, there will also be an opportunity to make your selection on Wednesday evening, July 29th at Sacred Heart parish hall at 7:00 p.m. Light family refreshments will be served and, for those adults wishing to participate, there will be a wine and cheese tasting. The convener, Father Bradley, will be available to discuss the selection of a feast day for the newly merged parish and the rationale for the name choices for anyone who is interested. Come out for an enjoyable evening of voting, fun and a midweek pick-me-up.Each parishioner is entitled to one vote. Children of the parish are encouraged to cast their votes also.
The Parish Councils from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart are meeting this month to begin their plans for an autumn social gathering for everyone to enjoy. This will be a wonderful opportunity for all of us to get to know each other better and enjoy each other’s company.
The next business meeting for the convener and core team will be Wednesday,
August 5.
June
June 24 - Core Team Meeting
The convener and core teams from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart parishes met with the Holy Maternity advocacy group on Wednesday evening, June 24 at Holy Maternity.
A spokesperson from the advocacy group presented their concerns and ideas regarding the future use of the Holy Maternity facilities. After the completed merger, the Facilities Committee and the new pastor will take those ideas under advisement. More to follow on this topic.
Also discussed were several scenarios regarding the 2010/2011 CCD school year. There will be no changes for the 2009/2010 program. Please be sure to register your child/children as you have done so in the past. The next meeting for the convener and core team will be on Saturday, July 11.
June 10 - Core Team Meeting
The convener and core teams from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart Parishes met on Wednesday evening, June 10 at Sacred Heart. Reports were received from the Finance Councils and Religious Education coordinators.
The Finance Committee from both parishes discussed merger of the budgets for the new parish and will meet with the Core Team again in the near future.
The CCD coordinators discussed the progress they are making in merging the religious education classes. It was determined that for the 2009-2010 school year, classes would remain without change. Projects will be planned to allow the children from both programs to share an assignment which lets them interact and become acquainted with each other. The coordinators will continue to make the new text book selection for the 2010-2011 school calendar to be used by the new parish CCD program. The coordinators advised that this book selection process should be completed by August 2009. They are also working to have a plan in place for the merger of both CCD programs to be announced to everyone at the beginning of 2010.
Volunteers
If anyone would like to volunteer their assistance in setting up a website to keep both parishes informed as the merger process moves forward, please contact our convener, Father Hugh Bradley, at 609-561-6116 or at frhbmerge@me.com. We are also asking for a volunteer to coordinate the newly formed Hospitality Committee. Please also contact Father Bradley, if you are interested.
Naming New Parish
Please remember to place your choice for the new parish name in the collection basket or drop it off at the rectory. It is a wonderful opportunity to become an integral part in the formation of our new parish.
FUN STUFF
The Parish Councils will be planning a combined activity for the fall of this year to be enjoyed by both parishes to help bring our new parish closer together.
Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, July 11th. More news will follow at that time.
May
May 12 - Core Team Meeting
The Core Team and Convener met on Tuesday, May 12th at Holy Maternity. At that time the Liturgical Ministries role descriptions for both leadership and members for each ministry was then approved by the Core Team.
The Core Team then reviewed the input from the gathering of leaders on March 25th which included: Prayer-line, Parish Cupboard, Baptismal Preparation, House of Charity, Bereavement Ministry, Hospitality, Respect Life, Women’s Bible Study Group to name a few. Once the changes have been made, the role descriptions will be returned to the leaders for their approval and then returned to the Core team for final approval.
The Core Team also discussed the guidelines with the naming of the new parish committee and when this process will begin. Ballots will be placed in pews of each parish during weekend masses beginning May 30 through June 30, so all parishioners have an opportunity to participate.
see
Naming the New Parish Guidelines
April
April 29 - Core Team Meeting
With some prior work of gathering information on the different ministries, organizations/societies in the parishes, the Core Team continued working with the ministries from both parishes. This gathering of leaders from the Pastoral, Administrative, Education and Enrichment Ministries which included: Bereavement, Vocations, Prayer line, House of Charity, Women’s Bible Study, Baptism Preparation,
to name a few.
Each ministry from both parishes broke into their respected groups and had the task of comparing their current role descriptions with those roles being planned for the new parish. Following a 40-minute discussion, the groups came together for some Q&A and submitted their role descriptions to the Core Team and Convener for review.
April 1 - Core Team Meeting
The Core Team and Convener met on Wednesday, April 1 at Holy Maternity Rectory. At that time the Liturgical Ministries draft was put into final form and will be submitted for approval. Presently, solicitation of Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart parishioners to become members of the Parish Naming Committee and Evangelization/Communications Committee is being conducted. If you are interested in being a part of one of these Committees, please contact us.
We will be meeting again on Wednesday, April 29 at Sacred Heart Church basement with the present members of both Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart Parishes who belong to the ministries not yet discussed to get an overview for the blending of these important ministries.
March
March 25 - Core Team Meeting
The Core Team and Convener gathered early for a tour of the facilities at Holy Maternity before our meeting with the Liturgical Ministries from Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart.
With some prior work of gathering information on the different ministries, organizations/societies in the parishes, the Core Team began working with the ministries from both parishes. This gathering of leaders from the Liturgical Ministries which included the Altar & Rosary, Altar Servers, Arts & Environment, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Music Ministry, Sacristans, and Ushers/Greeters.
Each ministry from both parishes broke into their respected groups and had the task of comparing their current role descriptions with those roles being planned for the new parish. Following a 40-minute discussion, the groups came together for some Q&A and submitted their role descriptions to the Core Team and Convener for review.
March 11 - Core Team Meeting
On Wednesday, March 11th, the Core Team met with the DRE/CRE of Religious Education from both Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart Churches. Dolores Mozzillo and Terri Brunick presented an overview of their respective programs. It is the primary focus of the Core Team as well as the DRE/CRE's to make the merge process as seamless as possible especially where the youth of our parishes is concerned. We will continue to meet with them as we move through the development of our new parish.
There seems to be some confusion as to the role of the Core Team. We would like to clarify this. When speaking about the parish merger, the term "parish", in the eyes of the Core Team, refers to the dedicated people that make up the church, not the buildings. So for the purposes of everyone being on the same page, the role of the Core Team is to merge parishioners to form a new parish. Once those parishioners and all of their duties and various ministries have been combined under the new parish name, it will be the duty of those newly formed committees to decide if it is financially feasible for the new parish to maintain the various structures and what they would be used for. The strength and growth of any organization arises from the cooperation, dedication and, more importantly, the participation, of its members. It is the hope of the Core Team that all involved come together to realize this ultimate goal.
This Just In-Extra
As some of you may have heard, in a recent conversation I had with Bishop Galante, he affirmed his intention of last April 3 - that Sacred Heart Parish and Holy Maternity Parish will merge and Sacred Heart will be the worship site and the seat (home) of the new parish. The Holy Maternity site will belong to the new parish but the disposition of that property cannot be finalized until after the new parish is established by Bishop Galante. At that time, Sacred Heart Parish will cease to exist and Holy Maternity Parish will cease to exist and a new parish with a new name will gather God's gifts as manifested in the Mt. Ephraim and Audubon communities of the faithful.
It is the work of myself, as Priest Convener, with the assistance of the Core Team, to do all that is necessary for the establishment of this new parish. Needless to say, I rely on the present pastor - Fr. Dunphy, and Fr. Hegarty, Senior Priest, with the assistance of the pastoral councils to shepherd the parishes as they prepare to merge. We have much to do, and so we all must work together to build a united, strong, vibrant, new parish in which we can expand our ministries and outreach and grow in faith toward a future filled with the new life we will experience as a new faith community.
Later on in the process I will ask you to brainstorm about some potential uses for this lovely Audubon site and we will need to provide the financial rationale for these creative ministries or outreaches. Meanwhile, I look forward to meeting you and to hearing of your hopes and dreams for our new parish.
-Fr. Hugh Bradley, Convener
Month of February
February 26 - Core Team Meeting
On Thursday, the Core Team had a meeting to prepare both parishes and parishioners to become one parish and doing all that is needed to administer and staff the new parish.
We will be looking at whatever committees or subcommittees that are needed to assist in our efforts. Some examples: Liturgical Committee, Social and Parish Life Committee, Ministry Committee, Finance Committee, Communication Committees.
Parking and Handicapped
The issue of ample parking is being evaluated and discussed by the Core Team. It is a real concern and every effort is being made to remedy the problem, if there is one. There has also been some concern about the necessity for handicap accessibility. However, there is presently a ramp for the handicapped at the church.
Decisions
During the Core Team meetings, many issues are discussed, but no final decisions are made. The members take time to think out the issues, and then attempt to reach a consensus. It is important to wait for the final decision before making it public, since false rumor can be started which in turn affects the climate of the parish. However, once a decision is made by the Core Team, the parishioners will be made aware immediately.
February 20 - Leadership Workshops
Over the past two months, the Convener and Core Team attended two leadership workshops which were provided by the Diocese of Camden. The workshops focused on developing skills such as listening, communicating, and group decision-making.
Month of January 2009
January 31
The Convener and Core Team will be attending 2 three-hour leadership wokshops provided through the Diocese, January 31 and February 20.
January 14 - Convener and Core Team to gather with Pastoral Councils and Finance Committee from both churches
On Wednesday, January 14, we had a meeting of the clergy, parish councils, and finance councils from Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity. This meeting was the last of a series of meetings which were aimed at gathering information about the parishes. This information will be used by the Core Team in future meetings to help guide us. As the process unfolds we will be addressing every area of life in the new parish. We will need the input and talents of everyone. As committees are formed/reformed we will be calling upon your knowledge and energy.
January 7 -
LET US COME TOGETHER
" For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
Dear Parishioners:
This past year and a half has been difficult for all of us but it is now time to move forward. With this in mind, I am asking that you attend a special two-hour program entitiled –
The Process of Grief and Loss on Wednesday, January 7, 7-9PM at Holy Maternity
The evening has been developed for us by the Diocesan Coping with Change Committee to help us uncover and name our emotions, let go of things we cannot change, and help each other enter into the “future filled with hope” that God has promised us.
This is not an information session about the implementation process or about how decisions were made. This is a time and place to express feelings within ritual and prayer. Please set aside and plan to be part of this beautiful ritual. Please fill out the form found in your bulletin and drop it in the collection basket or send to the parish office(we need a count to prepare for the evening).
Thank You,
Convener and Core Team
Month of December
Convener and Core Team Meets Parishioners of
Holy Maternity and Sacred Heart
We will be introduced after the Masses. The parishioners are invited to meet the Convener and Core Team after all the Masses in the basement of the church.
| Holy Maternity |
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December 7 |
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8:30A & 11:00A |
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December 27 |
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5;00PM |
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| Sacred Heart |
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December 20 |
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4:00PM |
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January 4 |
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8:00, 9:30A & 11A |
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December 10 - Core Team Meeting
Our parish Core Team held its second meeting on Wednesday December 10. The purpose of the meeting was to review facts about each present parish. Representatives from each parish presented information about their parish ministries, organizations, major parish events, and current mass schedules.
We also discussed our first meeting with the parishioners from Holy Maternity on December 7th. The Core Team will continue to meet the parishioners of both churches in December and January. See Schedule
Month of November
November 5 - Core Team Meeting
Our parish core team held its first meeting to implement the planned merger of Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity. Led by our Convener Fr. Hugh Bradley our core team members are Rebecca Barnes, Patrick Bocchiccio, Connie Buttil, Ann Marie Granato, Ed & Patricia Nallen, Donald Ostberg, and Fred Repsik. more
Month of October
Repeat Sessions held in the deaneries dealing with Core Team responsibilities, collaboration, and the use of the MERGER MANUAL.
The scheduled meeting for Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity is set for Thursday, October 30th
10.17
Bishop Galante to bless Priest Conveners and Core Teams at a special Commissioning Ceremony
Priest Conveners and their Core Teams will gather October 19 at St. Agnes Church in Blackwood for a special commissioning ceremony highlighting their role in the work of guiding merging parishes toward reconfiguration. Bishop Joseph Galante will preside at the 3:00 p.m. event. more
Diocese launches major initiative to educate laity in parish ministry
With the objective of advancing the six key pastoral priorities identified by the Catholic people of the diocese, the Diocese of Camden has announced a major initiative to help laity engaged in parish work to obtain the educational credentials specific to their area of ministry. more
Core Team Members Selected
The next significant step has been taken toward the eventual merger of
the two parishes of Sacred Heart and Holy Maternity. The Core Team has been named to assist Father Hugh Bradley, the Priest Convener. Each of the merging parishes were asked to nominate 6 parishioners. Of those, 4 people were chosen from each parish.
Core Team members to be selected to assist Priest Conveners with mergers
More than 150 priests of the diocese gathered Sept. 10 at Holy Family Parish in Sewell for an information meeting outlining the responsibilities of the Priest Conveners and the Core Teams that will guide parishes through the merger process ahead.
read more
Priest Conveners Appointments
August 26, 2008
Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D., Bishop of Camden, today announced the appointment of 41 “Priest Conveners” who will help guide merging parishes through the reconfiguration he announced on April 3.
The reconfiguration of parishes will address the declining number of diocesan priests available for ministry, changes and shifts in population, and will strengthen parishes to enable them to advance the pastoral priorities identified by parishioners at Speak Up sessions.
The Priest Conveners are not replacing pastors, but will be working with existing pastors, administrators and Core Teams made up of leadership from the parishes that will merge in order to create the new parish. In a number of instances, more than one Priest Convener has been named. These Co-Conveners will work together in collaboration with the existing pastors, administrators and the Core Teams to bring about the mergers. read more
