Please attach additional pages if more
space is needed.
Deanery:
Rockingham
Dean: Very Rev. Frederick J.
Pennett, Jr., V.F.
Cluster:
16
Facilitator(s):
Paul J. Ashton, Psy.D.,
D.Min.
Recorder:
Mrs. Joyce
Lee
Priest
Allocation:
2 Diocesan Priests and 2
Religious (Jesuits)
Cluster Task
Force Members (Name and Parish):
Rev. Robert C.
Guillemette
Saint
Patrick
Mr. James B. Hogan
Saint Patrick
Mrs. M. Gael Ouellette
Saint Patrick
Rev. Paul F. Ruzzo
Mary, Queen of Peace
Mrs. Donna Sytek
Mary, Queen of Peace
Mrs. Mary Giordano
Mary, Queen of Peace
Rev. John W. Michalowski, S.J.
Mr. Shawn McDonough
Mrs. Claire W. Simensen
Rev. Msgr. Donald Gilbert
Saint Matthew
Mrs. Ginny Dandreta
Saint Matthew
Mrs. Betty Epperson
Saint Matthew
Parishes
represented in the Cluster Task Force (CTF):
Parish: Saint Patrick
Location: Pelham
Parish: Saint Matthew
Location:
Parish: Mary, Queen of Peace
Location:
Parish:
Dates and
locations of Listening Sessions:
Date:
Date: Monday
18 June
Location: Mary, Queen of Peace,
Dates and
locations of Working Sessions:
Date: Tuesday
1 May
Location: Saint Patrick, Pelham
Date: Wednesday 16 May
Location:
Date: Monday
21 May
Location: Mary, Queen of Peace,
Date: Sunday
27 May
Location: Saint Patrick,
Pelham
Date: Sunday
3 June
Location: Mary, Queen of Peace,
Date: Sunday
10 June
Location:
Description
of the process used by the CTF in arriving at consensus:
In coming together as a task force there
was an almost immediate sense that the group was cohesive and cared greatly not
only for their own parish, but for the deanery parishes and diocesan church as a
whole. The commitment and
cumulative ministry experience was an overwhelming foundation which buttressed
each conversation of local church.
Not only were individuals articulate and knowledgeable about their
particular parish and history, their keen sense of the Church universal was
woven throughout conversations and deliberations. Theological and other related
pastoral and educational ministerial experience made for a smooth flowing, and
open dialogue. A deep sense of
prayerful spirituality under girded our process. We were always made aware of the full
presence of God and a need for solidarity for the poor and marginalized. Even in areas of discussion that became
heated, respect was paramount.
From the initial meeting each task force
member articulated their affective approach and history of their parish. Although there might have been some
resistance and desire to begin immediate scenario formulation, much time was
spent sharing the gifts and raising the highlights of each parish
community. As well, each parish was
able to present the difficulties undergone in recent
history.
Significant time was spent clarifying the
role that the Society of Jesus would play in the configuration for 2012. This is
reflected clearly in the minutes of our meetings.
Through working sessions led by the
facilitator of appreciative inquiry, mutual and open dialogue, prayer, shared
feelings, thoughts, dreams and ideals, the task force was able to brainstorm
scenarios and vision for the future.
Through guided appreciative inquiry, the CTF built on shared goodness
thus fostering positive relationships which enhanced the system’s capacity for
collaboration, consensus and change. We discovered and identified the
organizational processes that worked well, we dreamed and envisioned the
processes that might work well in the future, we designed, planned and
prioritized processes that might work and we delivered a possible destiny for
implementation and execution.
Through the same process of open
conversation and discussion, the task force formed and ultimately eliminated
various scenarios for the future.
When left with two major choices
involving Saint Joseph Parish twinning or merging with either Mary, Queen of
Peace or Saint Matthew Parish, the task force turned over to the Jesuits the
process of discernment as to which direction they felt best to pursue. The Jesuits took two weeks to discern
their decision.
Recommendation to the Dean and LRPC for
2012 ministry
coverage:
We recommend that Mary, Queen of Peace
and
We also recommend that Saint Patrick be
maintained as it presently exists to be pastored by one diocesan
priest.
Finally, we recommend that Saint
Matthew be maintained as it presently exists to be pastored by one diocesan
priest.
Rationale for
the recommendation:
The southern tier of the diocese, as it
has come to be called and known, is the fastest growing geographical region both
in population and economy. It was
difficult, therefore, for the CTF to accept the reality that a diminished clergy
would be a part of any rationale to serve this fast growing region. This being said, the CTF examined the
possibilities of the reality of the situation as presented and charged to them
by the Bishop of
While “thinking outside the box” was
always operative in the collective minds of the task force, having both models
of schools (regional and parish) in the cluster as well as a parish served by a
religious community made for more focused discernment. This discernment and discussion resulted
in nine possible scenarios that would best suit the needs of the cluster in
2012. Keen interest in sacramental
numbers, financial considerations, proximity, venue, and many practical concerns
were examined. As we reached group
consensus that included two basic options (a twinning or merger with
Decree 2 of the 34th
General Congregation of the Society of Jesus tells us that “Today we realize
clearly: [that there can be] No service of faith without [the] promotion of
justice, entry into cultures, [and] openness to other religious experiences.”
(#47). Decree 13 is entitled: Cooperation with the Laity in
Mary, Queen of Peace has a
similar demographic to St. Joseph Parish, which means that it has a higher
percentage of poorer parishioners than St. Matthew Parish. Like
Having been without a
resident pastor for over a year with only a part-time administrator, lay
ministers had to assume a greater responsibility for the parish. Even with the
advent of a new pastor, this lay involvement has continued.
Other factors in favor of
MQP-St. Joseph merging is the fact that we have some history of working
together, not just with Confirmations and with a joint Youth Ministry, but in
the past with RCIA and a joint picnic. The building of a high school in
Because of the history of
hurt at MQP in losing a pastor and not having a resident pastor for over a year,
it would be helpful to begin the linking of St. Joseph and MQP in Phase I as a
twinning with a merger in Phase II while maintaining two worship sites. This
will also allow for the continued growth of both parishes and accommodate the
spiritual needs of
How many pastors
are needed to facilitate this recommendation and why?
3 Pastors.
One for Saint Patrick; one for Saint
Matthew; one for the twinned and eventually merged Saint Joseph and Mary, Queen
of Peace Parishes.
Our recommendation follows the guidelines
as presented by the diocese.
How many
parochial vicars are needed to facilitate this recommendation and why?
One.
One full time equivalent parochial vicar
for the twinned and eventually merged
Our recommendation follows the guidelines
as presented by the diocese.
How many deacons
are needed to facilitate this recommendation and
why?
One sacramental deacon for Saint Patrick
Parish.
One full time deacon for Saint Matthew
Parish.
Two sacramental deacons for the twinned
and eventually merged Saint Joseph and Mary, Queen of Peace Parishes to meet the
pastoral and sacramental needs of the cluster.
What type of lay staff are recommended
(i.e. administrators, DREs, youth ministers, lay pastoral associates, etc.)
St. Joseph and Mary, Queen of Peace
- During the twinning period, it would be
important to keep the staffs of the two parishes intact, until it can be
determined how best to meld the two parishes. The one difference would be to
hire a plant manager-maintenance person. Right now, neither parish has a person
with the broad range of skills necessary for the upkeep of an aging physical
plant. Thus during the twinning period, MQP would keep its two full-time
pastoral associates, its full-time business manager/bookkeeper, its full-time
DRE and its secretary. St. Joseph would keep its part-time deacon, its full-time
office manager, its part-time secretary, its full-time DRE and part-time
religious education secretary, and its part-time youth minister. Both parishes
would keep their part-time organists. There would probably be a sharing of a
full-time custodian to work with the plant manager.
By 2012, it would be important to have a sacramental deacon assigned to
each church, so that about a third of the baptisms, weddings and funerals could
be handled by a deacon. Unfortunately, the trend is for fewer families to
request a Mass with a wedding or a funeral.
St. Patrick staffing and St. Matthew
staffing will be determined by pastoral and spiritual needs of each
parish.
Other comments
to be brought to the attention of the LRPC and RCBM:
Considerations of Deeper Moment for the
Ongoing Life of the Church
- As Pope John Paul II said in Tertio Millennio Adveniente, “Let us
listen to what the faithful say, because in every one of them the Spirit of God
breathes.” The following points come from the faithful on the clustering
committee and from their pastors.
- The Catholic Church is a sacramental
Church and the People of God have a right to the Eucharist. “From the liturgy, therefore, and
especially from the Eucharist, grace is poured forth upon us as from a fountain,
and the sanctification of mankind in Christ and the glorification of God to
which all other activities of the Church are directed, as toward their end, are
achieved with maximum effectiveness.” Sacrosanctum Concilium,
#10.
- At the last Synod of Bishops on the
Eucharist, various bishops brought forth the proposition that for the Church to
continue to grow as the sacramental Church, the Western Church needs to adapt
the practice of the Eastern Catholic Churches and ordain men of proven worth to
the priesthood. We have
already seen such men of proven virtue with the revival of the diaconate in the
West.
- The diaconate has shown itself of
proven worth in many dioceses in the
-Some ten years ago the Canon Law Society
of the
- While St. Patrick and St. Matthew are
not directly impacted by the twinning\merger process, the task force plans to
continue dialogue to foster the good work begun here.
Other points of
concern:
1.
Rev.
Paul Ruzzo’s celebration of his 25th Anniversary in April,
2008
2.
-
Cluster Task Force 16
Report Submitted
by: Paul J. Ashton, Psy.D.,
D.Min.
Facilitator
Signature:_______________________________________________________________
Date:
Cluster Task Force Names and Signatures
NAME
(Print)
SIGNATURE
Rev. Robert C.
Guillemette
______________________________
Mr. James B. Hogan
______________________________
Mrs. M. Gael Ouellette
______________________________
Rev. Paul F. Ruzzo
______________________________
Mrs. Donna Sytek
______________________________
Mrs. Mary Giordano
______________________________
Rev. John W. Michalowski,
S.J.
______________________________
Mr. Shawn McDonough
______________________________
Mrs. Claire W. Simensen
______________________________
Rev. Msgr. Donald Gilbert
______________________________
Mrs. Ginny Dandreta
______________________________
Mrs. Betty Epperson
______________________________
Mrs. Joyce Lee (recorder)
______________________________