BishopAccountability.org
	Scranton Diocese Cluster Recommendations on Web Site By Kelly Monitz Standard Speaker July 19, 2008 http://www.standardspeaker.com/articles/2008/07/19/news/hz_standspeak.20080719.a.pg13.hz19_churchblurb_s1.1821675_loc.txt The Scranton Diocese Planning Commission made preliminary recommendations on church restructuring in an 11-county area available on its Web site on Friday. Half of the Roman Catholic churches in Hazleton will close in the next three years through the restructuring process with some churches being merged into new parishes, others linked through a shared pastor and still others partnered with other churches sharing services. Being consolidated are Sacred Heart in Harleigh, St. Mary’s in Lattimer Mines and Our Lady of Grace in Hazleton; St. Nazarius in Pardeesville and Good Shepherd in Drums; Holy Trinity (Slovak), St. Stanislaus and St. Joseph’s, all in Hazleton; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Gabriel’s in Hazleton; and Ss. Peter and Paul in Hazleton, St. Francis of Assisi and Transfiguration, both in West Hazleton. Out of the 12 consolidated churches, only five could remain after three years. Both St. Nazarius and St. Stanislaus would remain open for two years after the consolidations as additional worship sites, with the former being re-evaluated after two years and the latter moving toward closure in two years, the recommendations said. Churches being partnered with others include the new parish at St. Gabriel’s and Holy Rosary in Hazleton; the new parish at St. Joseph’s with Most Precious Blood in Hazleton; and the new parish at Good Shepherd with Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Freeland. A complete list of recommendations for the parishes and the rationale behind the decisions can be viewed at www.dioceseofscranton.org. Churches in the Hazleton area were grouped into the Eastern Pastoral Region and listed as clusters 1, 2, 3 and 4. Parishioners throughout the diocese will be learning more about the recommendations and the process moving forward from their pastors either this weekend or next, at the pastor’s discretion, according to a diocesan news release. The cluster groups, representing church leaders and parishioners from different churches in one area, will meet with the planning commission the week of July 28 to discuss the preliminary recommendations and offer clarifications, if needed, the release said. Parishioners will also be give the opportunity to offer input on the recommendations before the cluster groups submit their responses Oct. 1. Bishop Joseph Martino will announce the final reconfiguration plan in January 2009 with implementation in July 2009. Contact: kmonitz@standardspeaker.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.