BishopAccountability.org
	Diocese to Weigh Fate of Churches By Angela Carbone The Republican January 7, 2008 http://www.masslive.com/news/topstories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1199694071137540.xml&coll=1 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield will spend the coming months "listening" to parishioners in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire counties as it weighs the future of its churches. Nearly a year after the diocese was presented with a downsizing recommendation that called for closing three churches, merging 10 churches into five, and linking several dozen others across Western Massachuetts, there is still no definitive plan. The diocese will schedule "listening sessions," which it hopes to complete by spring. The diocese is seeking input from church leaders and members from 10 regions it has established in the four counties it serves, according to spokesman Mark E. Dupont. The diocese has structured the sessions to allow parish representatives the opportunity to present their views, proposals and concerns and to offer alternative actions. So far, only one region in Berkshire County has completed its "listening session," and a report of that session is under review by the bishop, the Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell. The "listening sessions" call for representatives of each of the diocese's 93 active parishes to meet with diocesan leaders and the Pastoral Planning Council. The numbers in each delegation will be established by the size of the region and the number of parishes. The makeup of the delegation will be determined by the parish priest, whom the diocese has directed to incorporate a cross section of the parish, Dupont said. "It's so everyone can have an honest and frank dialogue," Dupont said. Each five-hour listening session will include splitting into some smaller groups to facilitate discussion, he said. The Pastoral Planning Committee, made up of laity and members of religious orders from throughout the diocese, will take notes on what is said to give a true representation of each session, Dupont said. The committee will present its report on each session to the bishop, who will review each report. The final reports from each region are expected to be released individually rather than waiting for completion of all the listening sessions, Dupont said. The diocese announced last February that officials were considering downsizing its 117 parishes because of shrinking church attendance, financial resources and insufficient numbers of priests to oversee parishes. A report commissioned by the diocese and developed by the Center for Economic Development at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, looked at six indicators, or specific factors, in making recommendations about merging parishes. But diocesan officials have said this report and its findings represent only the starting point in a long process. How many parishes will close, how many will remain open, will differ from the recommendations of the so-called Mullin report - named for John R. Mullin, director of the Center for Economic Development. The differences between the Mullin recommendations and what ultimately will be the decision of the diocese will result from information gleaned at the listening sessions. In fact, some changes in the diocese were already in progress when the plan was unveiled, and other closures and changes have been instituted. In January, St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in the village of Leeds in Northampton held its final Mass and became part of the new Our Lady of the Hills parish in the Haydenville section of Williamsburg. The diocese also proceeded with plans to link several parishes, including St. Anne and Sts. Peter and Paul churches in the Three Rivers section of Palmer and the Holy Name of Jesus and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary churches in Chicopee, both prompted by the retirement of priests. Still in limbo is a plan to close St. Ann Church in West Springfield. St. Ann had been slated to close in mid-August. It has since received two reprieves, the latest of which delayed the decision on closing until after its region's "listening session" is held and the report reviewed. The three churches proposed for closure under the Mullin report were Holy Trinity in Westfield, and Holy Family and St. Mary of the Morning Star, both in Pittsfield. Diocesan officials have said they do not expect the final plan to follow the Mullin report recommendations to the letter. "We would be shocked if it was the same," Dupont said. "That's not a criticism of the Mullin report. They were asked to take a look from the outside." In fact, the report that came out of the Berkshire County listening session differs significantly from the Mullin report, Dupont said. There is some good news for the diocese relative to staffing levels. Four new priests will be ordained by the end of the current academic year. One priest, James W. Longe, was ordained in November, and three other priests - two from Rome - will be ordained at the end of June. "It's the largest number we've had in years," Dupont said. There also are others who are studying for the priesthood, according to Dupont. "We've seen increased interest, but even considering that, we have to plan for the potential of a worst-case scenario" when considering the future of the parishes of the diocese, Dupont said.
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