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	Immaculate Conception Wil Be Hispanic By Jason Laday Bridgeton News April 4, 2008 http://www.nj.com/news/bridgeton/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1207290344131580.xml&coll=10 Citing recent declines in church attendance and available priests, Bishop Joseph A. Galante of the Diocese of Camden announced on Thursday a plan that would cut the number of parishes nearly in half. The diocesan shuffle creates a new system of merged, clustered and stand-alone parishes, effectively reducing their total number from the current 124 parishes down to 66. Swept up in the reconfiguration are nearly a dozen Cumberland County churches, the majority of which will see their congregations and services merge with other worship centers over the next 12 to 24 months, according to the bishop. These include Bridgeton's Immaculate Conception, which will merge with three other churches and remain open for Spanish-language services. Calling attention to shifts in the Catholic population in the six-county diocese, Galante stated many of the faithful have moved out of once thriving areas, leaving under-used and aging churches located in close proximity to each other. In addition, only a reported 24 percent of the 500,000 Catholics in the diocese actually attend church regularly, down from 74 percent five decades ago. The bishop added there are currently 162 priests spread out across the entire diocese, meaning only one to two priests are serving at each parish. That number is expected to drop even further to 85 priests by 2015, because new ordinations are not keeping up with the current rate of retirements. "I know that these are serious challenges," said Galante in a video posted on the diocese Web site Thursday afternoon. "What is not an option is inaction. What is not an option at this time is leaving things alone and hoping for the best. We've tried that for too many years, and it doesn't work." A total of 11 parishes in Cumberland County are affected by the bishop's announcement. The shuffle will see a number of changes including: A four-way merger between St. Teresa of Avila, in Bridgeton, Immaculate Conception, in Bridgeton, Cedarville's St. Michael Church and St. Mary Church, in Rosenhayn. St. Teresa and St. Mary will serve as primary worship sites for the parish, with Immaculate Conception to remain open to cater to the Spanish-speaking community. St. Michael will also remain open. In Millville, St. Mary Magdalen and St. John Bosco will merge with St. Anthony Mission in Port Norris, with the primary site at St. Mary Magdalen. Vineland parishes St. Francis Assisi and Immaculate Heart of Mary will merge, with the primary worship site at St. Francis. Also in Vineland, St. Isidore is set to merge with Sacred Heart, with the primary site at St. Isidore and secondary site at Sacred Heart. St. Padre Pio, in Vineland, will remain a stand-alone parish. Reactions from both local church officials and parishioners ranged from "welcome news" to "disappointed, but understanding." "We're ecstatic and very pleased with this announcement," said St. Francis Parish Council President Joe Trapani. "We and members of Immaculate Heart have been working very hard on planning this merger, and we're pleased to hear it confirmed." According to Trapani, the congregation at Immaculate Heart has outgrown its humble hall of a worship center, and has for some time been combining with St. Francis for C.C.D. classes and the area's first bilingual Good Friday services last month. "We have a wide open campus with open buildings. It's a perfect marriage, if you will." Liz Nicke, a lifelong member of St. Mary Magdalen Church, said she believes the merger will be a smooth transition for the three parishes. In fact, St. Mary's and St. John's used to be one whole parish before a split many years ago, she added. "There won't be any problem with people getting along and working together," Nicke said, adding she is sad about the fact that her church's numbers have gotten smaller over the years. "We have the same beliefs, and as far as how St. Mary and St. John teaches, it is exactly the same." As for the new parishioners from Port Norris, Nicke said they will be welcomed with open arms. "The people from Port Norris will be new to us, but I'm sure we will welcome them," she said. "I'm sure there won't be any problems in that part of it." Bridgeton City Councilman Nick Salvatore, a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception, said even though he understands the bishop's decision, he remains a bit disappointed. "I know what is happening. There are less and less members attending services, and church is a business like everything else," he said. "It does disappoint me, but I understand the reasoning and will certainly honor it."
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