Archdiocese Proposes Merging of Two Danvers Churches [POLL]

and are two of several North Shore Catholic parishes that could merge as part of a Pastoral Plan proposed by the Archdiocese of Boston.

The Archdiocese met on Dec. 5 to begin the consultation process, which will be conducted over the next several months.

"The goal is to move from the current proposal stage to a plan that will guide the Archdiocese in strengthening the Archdiocese’s parish-based ministries, Evangelization efforts and parish staffing," said Archdiocese Spokesman Terry Donilon. "Eventually the APPC will prepare a final recommendation to Cardinal Seán for his decision. This will take time and will require an extensive consultation that gathers the input of our priests, deacons, religious and laity."

In recent weeks, Donilon said the consultation process has involved and engaged pastoral associates, parish and finance council members, business managers, lay ministers, deacons, religious, and music ministers among others. 

After receiving input from the consultations, the APPC will then prepare a final recommendation to Cardinal Seán O'Malley for his decision.

It is hoped that this consultation will be completed in the spring of 2012 and that implementation can begin soon thereafter, their website stated. The implementation will happen in phases and be completed within three to five years, with the expectation that this plan will serve the Archdiocese for generations to come.

"A final recommendation will not be made to Cardinal Sean O’Malley for the strengthening of parishes until these ideas have been fully presented and reviewed by the clergy, religious and laity during the current consultation process," Donelan said. "As a consequence, it is important to emphasize that no decisions have been made or will be made until the consultation process is concluded and a recommendation is given to the Cardinal."

Under the proposed new Pastoral Service Team (PST) model there will be approximately 125 PSTs, most of whom will serve two or three parishes, with a few who will serve a single parish or four parishes.

The three main ways in which the PST model will assist the New Evangelization are stated as:

• Being trained for successful mission-based leadership in multiple parishes. Special emphasis will be given in this training to the work of strengthening each parish they serve as a communion that is rooted in Christ and nourished by an exceptional experience of the Sunday Eucharist.
• Each PST will help the parishes it serves to collaborate with and support each other more fully in the work of identifying, welcoming and educating Catholics and others who desire a deeper relationship with Christ.
• Developing effective ways to help those they serve to live the grace of conversion to Christ and to fulfill their God-given vocation in Christ.

To see a complete list of potential North Shore mergers, look at the PDF file underneath the article's photo.

Thoughts? Weigh in on our poll and start the discussion in the comments.