| Q
WHY IS THIS PARISH TRANSITION PROJECT NECESSARY?
A
The status quo regarding parish life in the 235 current parishes
in the Archdiocese of Newark is no longer sustainable. A Task
Force was commissioned to study parish life throughout the four-county
area in 2002. In the final report provided to Archbishop Myers
in 2003, the Task Force stated:
"At this moment in time the above recommendations are
an effort to address immediate difficult situations. . . The
Task Force has come to the realization that each recommendation
is difficult. Each new direction impacts many individuals with
emotional ties to an established structure. The Task Force also
sees the need to exercise stewardship with the limited resources
that are available to the parish and the Archdiocese. It is
in light of what a parish is called to be in this particular
geographic area and in recognition of limited resources that
the Task Force makes its recommendations."
In announcing the beginning of a process of conversation and
decision-making moving toward implementation by all ministers
and parishioners impacted by the proposed realignment of parishes,
the Archbishop emphasized that no final decisions have been
made on any of the recommendations of the Task Force.
Archbishop Myers has stated:
We approach these recommendations with a high degree
of sensitivity to the cultural identity of each parish and its
parishioners. In addition, we must be concerned most of all
with the spiritual health and vitality of each parish as outlined
by the 28 Principles. I believe that in order to grow and thrive,
some parishes will need to merge or link with others for the
sake of the spiritual health of the people, and so that we can
realize our mission as a Church more effectively.
As good stewards, we have an obligation to search out and implement
the best options for parish organization consistent with these
realities and the needs of our Catholic people.
Q
WHAT ARE THE GOALS FOR THIS PARISH TRANSITION PROJECT?
A The New Energies Parish
Transition Project for the Archdiocese of Newark is inspired
by the following six goals.
-
To enhance quality parish life, both territorial and national,
throughout the Archdiocese.
-
To support increased understanding of and action on the 28
principles related to quality parish life in the areas of
Spiritual Life, Educational & Formational Life, Service
Life, Parish Community Life, Administrative Life, and Pastoral
Life;
-
To strengthen the presence and ministry of the Church in urban
and suburban areas;
-
To increase collaboration between and among leaders, parishes
and the whole Archdiocese of Newark;
- To
act as good stewards of all human, financial and facility
resources;
-
To build a greater sense of unity within the rich ethnic,
cultural and age diversity present within the local Church.
The achievement of these desired outcomes will result in significant
“new energies” within the Archdiocese of Newark
as well as in the capacity of Catholic parishes and individual
Catholics to move forward more confidently into the future.
Q HOW
WERE THESE PARISHES SELECTED?
A
The Task Force identified parishes from all four counties as
meeting one or more of the following criteria:
-
28 Parish Principles which examine viability of a parish;
-
Proximity of parishes to each other;
-
Weekend liturgies with total attendance of 500 or fewer parishioners;
-
Poor fiscal condition of the parish;
-
Decreasing number of priests;
-
Aging facilities requiring capital improvements;
-
Total population of parish community decreasing;
-
Stewardship of Archdiocesan resources (personnel, property,
finances).
Q
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE MODELS FOR PARISH
ORGANIZATION?
A
There are four main configurations being considered
at present. These are:
a.
Single Parish --
The most familiar form of parish organization is the single
parish concept. Most parishes in the Archdiocese of Newark
fall into this category. A single parish is one that is
separate and independent, not linked or clustered with
another parish. It has its own pastor who is not responsible
for any other parish. This form of parish organization
may not be possible in all situations in the future. Other
forms of parish organization will become more common and
are already being used in dioceses throughout the country.
b. Linked Parishes --
Two or possibly three parishes which share the same pastor
are an example of linking. The parishes remain separately
incorporated and are separate communities of faith. If
it would help the pastor in the administration of the
parishes or if it would benefit the faith communities
themselves, the parishes might initiate some cooperative
efforts. This model is very demanding on the priest unless
he is assisted by others.
c. Clustered Parishes --
A cluster usually consists of three or four parishes which
share a pastor and staff and work together in some areas
of parish ministry. The parishes forming the cluster remain
separately incorporated but are yoked for joint efforts.
Clustering requires as much joint activity as is necessary
to achieve true parish viability. This may include a joint
school and religious education program, cooperative social
ministry and special programs, and, perhaps, even joint
councils. It becomes possible, with a common staff who
serve all the parishes and provide programs otherwise
unavailable to parishes, because of inadequate funds or
insufficient numbers of people. This model could serve
as a step toward the consolidation or merging of parishes.
d. Merged Parishes –
A merger takes place when two or more parishes join together
to form a new parish corporation. The new parish corporation,
usually with a new name, obtains the assets as well as
the liabilities of the parishes which formed it. A merger
may center all parish activities at one site, or continue
to use two or more building sites.
A merger may happen quickly or, more often, will be accomplished
in stages which allow the communities to work together
and to share staff and programs prior to forming a single
community. The more experiences of Christian community,
religious and social, that those involved experience;
the easier it is to overcome boundaries and divisions.
Mergers create a new parish configuration which is able
to provide many more activities and opportunities than
the original parishes could have managed on their own.
The merger process allows parishes to join forces to form
a larger, more vibrant worshiping community, reduce overhead,
and better use resources. When done sensitively and cooperatively
the merging of parishes will ordinarily create a more
viable parish situation. |
Q
WHY WEREN’T WE ASKED FOR FEEDBACK BEFORE THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
WERE DEVELOPED?
A
There is a constant source of information going
back to the Chancery every year through bi-yearly Mass counts,
sacramental records and budgets and other financial accountings.
Time is of the essence. With each passing month, the needs become
more apparent (i.e. physical plant needs, declining attendance,
school enrollment, etc.). Archbishop Myers appointed a Task
Force to gather data, identify principles and criteria, and
form specific recommendations. Now is the appropriate time for
all the recommendations to be considered by people throughout
the Archdiocese of Newark.
Q
WILL THE MEETINGS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN SOON WITH LEADERS FROM
ALL IMMEDIATELY INVOLVED PARISHES REALLY CHANGE ANYTHING? HASN’T
EVERYTHING BEEN DECIDED ALREADY?
A
What has been identified so far is that there
must be significant change in many parishes for the good of
the spiritual health and vitality of the community. However,
the 48 parishes each have a great deal of influence on the process
of that transition and the final recommendations. While the
status quo is no longer sustainable, parishes have the responsibility
to seriously consider the recommendations and to explore other
options. Parish leaders are also asked to remain open to the
guidance of the Holy Spirit and to commit to a process of conversation
and reflection.
Q
MY FAMILY HAS SUPPORTED OUR PARISH FOR
THREE OR FOUR GENERATIONS. OUR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED,
MARRIED, AND BURIED FROM OUR CHURCH. HOW CAN YOU EVEN DISCUSS
CLOSING A CHURCH SO IMPORTANT TO THE FAMILY HERITAGE OF SO MANY
PEOPLE?
A
This is a really sensitive and important question.
Each parish community has a proud and meaningful history. This
history is personal and meaningful for each person and community.
As Archbishop Myers has said, “The status quo regarding
parish life in the 235 current parishes in the Archdiocese of
Newark is no longer sustainable.”
The Task Force that has studied parish life throughout the four-county
area has also stated that “each recommendation is difficult.
Each new direction impacts many individuals with emotional ties
to an established structure. The Task Force also sees the need
to exercise stewardship with the limited resources that are
available to the parish and the Archdiocese. It is in light
of what a parish is called to be in this particular geographic
area and in recognition of limited resources that the Task Force
makes its recommendations.”
These words do not make this process much easier. The discussions
must go forward with as much participation as possible, so the
Archdiocese of Newark can discover a new way of being Church
that also remembers and celebrates the past.
Q
WHAT HAPPENS TO A CHURCH THAT IS CLOSED?
WILL THE ARCHDIOCESE DEMOLISH THE CHURCH AND SELL OFF THE PROPERTY
TO SOME DEVELOPER?
A
No decisions have been made about closing any
parishes at this time. What has been decided is to initiate
parish conversations, based on the task force recommendations
and the parish principles. These important conversations are
intended to respond effectively to the specific task force recommendations
and to strengthen the ministry and mission of the Archdiocese
of Newark.
Q
MY CHILDREN ARE ENROLLED IN THE PARISH SCHOOL OF ONE OF THE
SELECTED PARISHES. SHOULD I PULL THEM OUT? WILL THERE BE ROOM
FOR THEM IF SCHOOLS ARE CONSOLIDATED?
A
We do not recommend that you pull your students out of schools
associated with parishes on the list. There are many aspects
to consider in the reorganization of parishes and parish schools
are a very important one. Not all of the 13 schools involved
are fully enrolled, and the Archdiocese may look at the school
in determining how best to continue to deliver educational services.
The merger of schools or different grade configurations will
depend on enrollment, the state of the building, etc. It is
not a foregone conclusion that the schools merge because the
parishes merge.
A key guiding Parish Principle for this project addresses the
“essential nature” of parochial education. The aim
of the process is to strengthen parish life; the strengthening
also applies to schools. The Archdiocese is committed to offering
quality parochial education for any family that desires it for
their children. All schools need support more now than ever
before. If a school is part of a consolidation as part of this
reorganization, every effort will be made to accommodate the
families that are presently enrolled.
Q
SHOULD I DISCONTINUE MY SUNDAY GIVING IF MY PARISH IS GOING
TO BE CLOSED?
A
Your financial support to your parish is more
important now than ever. A key Parish Principle for this project
acknowledges the critical role that stewardship plays in the
viability of a parish community. As communities join together
to form a new parish, they will require both human and financial
resources to establish the new reality. The gifts of money collected
at Mass each week are a demonstration of people’s willingness
to give back to God the “first fruits.” It is a
sign of one’s gratitude for all that has been given and
a concrete demonstration of support for the mission of the parish.
Neither of these realities is going away in this time of transition.
Back
to New Energies Home
|
