Declining Attendance, Lack Of Clergy Will Force Merger Of Some Shore-Area Catholic Churches

Fewer people at Mass and fewer priests to lead the services will translate into the merger of 10 shore-area churches in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to app.com

Bishop David M. O'Connell of the Diocese of Trenton informed the churches in a recent pastoral letter. The mergers could start by mid-2018.

"I do not believe that we are in irreversible or terminal danger. I do believe, however, that we have some genuine causes for concern," he said in the letter.

The current population of Catholics living in the 107 parishes in the diocese's four counties - which includeds Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean - is between 673,500 and 774,000. That number has fallen from 830,000 in the past, O'Connell said.

O'Connell estimates that only 17 to 18 percent of the current population attends Mass on Sunday

The number of baptisms, Holy Communions, confirmations, matrimony and funeral Masses has also fallen.

And the number of priests and women choosing religious vocations has also dropped. There are 163 active priests in the diocese, but many are nearing retirement age.

Further, he said, fewer men and women are pursuing priestly or religious vocations.

There are 163 active priests in the diocese, but many are reaching retirement age. Twenty-three priests have retired in the last five years, and 63 priests are eligible for retirement in the next 10 years.

Several churches that aren't on the merge list will have to collaborate on programs, staffing and resources to stay open.

In Ocean County, that means Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Seaside Heights, and St. Catharine Parish, Seaside Park, would merge into one new parish. The parish will have a new name, new programs, organizations, finances and liabilities will belong to the parish, Pastor Bart A Farwacki said.

"This does not mean that OLPH will close," he said on the parish website. "The parish would stay open and be one of two worship sites which would keep their names. The new parish would continue to be staffed by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of the Angels Province, but would have one pastor and one parochial vicar (assistant pastor). The establishment of this new parish is to be accomplished by July 1, 2018."

The Shore-area churches to be merged include:
MONMOUTH COUNTY

• St. Joseph, Keyport and Jesus the Lord, Keyport
• St. Jerome, West Long Branch and St. Mary, Deal
• Ascension, Bradley Beach and St. Elizabeth, Avon

OCEAN COUNTY

• St. Catharine of Siena, Seaside Park and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Seaside Heights
• St. Mary of the Lake, Lakewood and St. Anthony, Lakewood

Image: St. Catharine of Siena, Seaside Park.