Pastors and representatives from each of the five parishes in our pastoral planning area (PPA 570) met on January 5, 2015.
The purpose of the meeting was to continue discussing as a group specific ideas and suggestions for restructuring parishes within the area. The goal is to build new parish communities by reaching consensus on recommendations that will create a smaller number of viable and sustainable Archdiocesan parishes in an area where there are now five parishes: Mother of Divine Grace, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians, Saint Adalbert, and Saint George.
The group continued to discuss various aspects, and pros and cons, of several ideas suggested. No firm decisions have been made. The dialogue continues to be respectful and all representatives are taking the opportunity to present their views. Surveys were conducted in each parish to seek broader parishioner input, and the results of these were shared with the group. All agree that the success of the process will ultimately depend on members of all parishes embracing the new communities and working together to build them. While full consensus was not reached at this meeting, progress toward that end continued. Upcoming meetings

will continue this dialogue and strive for consensus.

Update on Pastoral Planning Area (PPA) 570:
Pastors and representatives from each of the five parishes in our pastoral planning area (PPA 570) met on December 10, 2014.
The purpose of the meeting was to begin discussing as a group specific ideas and suggestions for restructuring parishes within the area. The ultimate goal of the group is to reach consensus on recommendations to restructure the parishes in the planning area to a smaller number of viable and sustainable parishes. The area includes one “territorial” parish and four “personal” (that is, national) parishes: Mother of Divine Grace, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians, Saint Adalbert, and Saint George. Representatives were previously asked to individually submit his/her recommendations for restructuring. These individual submissions formed the basis for the group discussion. The group discussed various aspects, as well as pros and cons, of several suggestions submitted. Many questions were posed, issues identified, and keen observations made. The dialogue has been respectful and all representatives are taking the opportunity to present their views. It was also reiterated that the goal is to build new parish communities. All agree that the success of the process will ultimately depend on members of all parishes embracing the new communities and working together to build them. No definite decisions were reached at this meeting, but progress toward consensus continues. Upcoming meetings will continue this dialogue and strive for consensus. Pastors and representatives are praying, reflecting, asking the Holy Spirit to guide their discernment in making recommendations concerning parish mergers and restructuring within PPA 570.

All parishoners are asked to complete the survey letter and return to the rectory no later than January 1, 2015. Completed surveys can be dropped in the collection basket, emailed to the rectory or dropped off.

Pastors and representatives from each of the five parishes in our pastoral planning area (PPA 570) met on November 17, 2014.
The purpose of the meeting was to educate and provide information about the current state of affairs in Mother of Divine Grace, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians, Saint Adalbert, and Saint George parishes so that each PPA representative can discern and recommend restructuring options. Representatives from each parish made brief presentations to the group noting strengths, weaknesses, assets, needs, challenges, and opportunities. Presentations were developed after
reflecting on the following questions:
What are the key indicators of success present in your parish?
How could your sharing them increase the potential for evangelization?
How can these help strengthen a newly restructured faith community?
PPA representatives listened attentively for available resources that can benefit the Church in this entire area as well as concerns that can challenge the Church in the PPA.
The following pastors and representatives comprise the planning group working on this important initiative for PPA 570:
Msgr. Joseph Anderlonis, Saint George
Rev. Walter Benn, Mother of Divine Grace
Donna Conway, Saint George
Joe D'Angelo, Mother of Divine Grace
Rev. Dennis Fedak, Nativity BVM & Our Lady Help of Christians
Louise Holmes, Our Lady Help of Christians
Maria Koleda, Saint Adalbert
Kathy Mautz, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Rev. Jan Palkowski, Saint Adalbert
John Primerano, Mother of Divine Grace
David Szczepanski, Saint George
Anthony Stewart, Our Lady Help of Christians
Janice Tertel, Saint Adalbert
Mike Walsh, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Pastors and representatives are praying and reflecting, asking the Holy Spirit to guide their discernment in making recommendations concerning parish mergers and restructuring within PPA 570.

Pastors and Representatives from each of the five parishes in our pastoral planning area (PPA 570) held their first meeting on November 3, 2014. All present had a sense of hope and openness for their role to be architects in designing a future Church which will be stronger and more vibrant.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an orientation and review of the process that is being used to develop a recommendation to restructure the parishes in the planning area to a smaller number of viable and sustainable parishes. The area includes one “territorial” parish and four “personal” (that is, national) parishes:
Mother of Divine Grace, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians, Saint Adalbert, and Saint George.
Statistics from the past two decades show that numerous factors have seriously impacted the quality of parish life, including demographic shifts, a decline in weekly Mass attendance, a high density of parishes in a relatively small geographic area, the availability of less clergy, serious financial challenges, and underutilized parish facilities. Everyone needs to understand the urgency for action. The planning work for restructuring is to decide how the newly merged parish(es) will be formed and operate. Ultimately merged parishes will bring about stronger parish communities throughout the Archdiocese that are ready to meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of future generations, hopes for future growth and
sustainability, and revitalization and evangelization throughout the Archdiocese. During the next PPA meeting, the pastors and representatives will be educated and informed about the current state of affairs in each parish in the PPA. Following this meeting a discernment process will lead to a recommendation which will identify what parishes might merge. The recommendation will be given to the Archdiocesan Strategic Planning Commission (ASPC). Following their review, deliberation and acceptance, the recommendation will be given to the Archdiocesan Council of Priests, College of Consultors and, then, to Archbishop Chaput who has the final decision on the recommendations.