Cluster Core Teams Begin Work in Pastoral Planning Process
 

The conversation about the future configuration of parishes in the Diocese of Scranton has entered its next phase with the formation of Cluster Core Teams, which are groups consisting of Parish Core Team members from several parishes in a given area.

The Cluster Core Teams will study the various parish self-evaluations that have been completed over the past few months. Each parish has assessed its ministries and resources, finances and facilities, demographics, liturgical and sacramental life, and evangelization activities. Another major factor affecting all parishes is the number of priests available for active service.

Based on these assessments, the Cluster Core Teams will develop a cluster evaluation, and decide upon a suggestion and rationale for a new structure of the parishes in that cluster.

This process is a component of Called to Holiness and Mission: Pastoral Planning in the Diocese of Scranton, the project that will result in a restructuring of parishes throughout the Diocese.

“Every parish will be affected in some way, so this conversation is important because the parishes in proximity to each other need to explore the possibilities for sharing resources as we move forward,” said Monsignor Vincent J. Grimalia, V.G., project director.

The 224 parishes in the Diocese have been grouped into 50 clusters for this phase of the project. The clusters were formed through suggestions from the parishes, with assistance from the project director and The Reid Group, the national consulting firm that is helping to facilitate the pastoral planning process.

Last week the Cluster Core Teams attended orientation sessions held at eight sites in the various regions of the Diocese. These teams will now meet to reflect on the parish evaluations and discuss their implications.

Each Cluster Core Team will then suggest a model for parish restructuring and present it to the Diocesan Planning Commission by June 15. That group will review and respond to the suggestion, and further discussion will ensue.

The four options for models are consolidation to form a new parish entity, linking of two or more parishes under one pastor, establishing partnerships with other parishes to operate joint programs and share resources, and forming teams of two or more priests, deacons and lay people who would serve multiple parishes.

The process will lead to better-informed decisions that are rooted in reality, according to John Reid of The Reid Group.

“It won’t be easy, but we need your best thinking,” he said at one of the cluster orientations. “There is lots of new life possible. In the midst of change, stronger faith communities can emerge. You will play an important role in helping to shape the future of this Diocese.”