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	Letter from Bishop Joseph A. Galante Catholic Star Herald August 26, 2008 http://www.catholicstarherald.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1226&Itemid=1 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: Since I announced my intentions for the reconfiguration of parishes in the diocese last April, I have been greatly encouraged by the commitment and deep faith of the Catholic people in South Jersey. Even in the disappointment some have expressed, I have heard your great love for the parish communities that have sustained you and your families and nourished you on your faith journey. The challenges we face as a diocese have not arisen overnight. The decline in the number of diocesan priests available for ministry has been a long-term trend, a trend affecting this diocese and many others. The changes and shifts in population and decline in religious practice also have occurred over many decades. Likewise, the need for better outreach and expanded ministries that will serve the needs of the people has grown over a period of many years. While we may wish that these matters had been addressed decades ago, or wish that they could be deferred, we must focus our energies on what we can do now to strengthen and revitalize our Church. In doing so, we are sustained by prayer and the sacraments, as we place our trust in the Spirit who guides us. Many of our parish communities have been eager to move forward with the intended configurations. Some wanted to do so as soon as announcements were made last April. However, I have urged patience in order to allow time for affected parish communities to deal with the reality of the change ahead, to come to a greater understanding as to why reconfiguration is necessary, why it will be beneficial, and how it will improve pastoral care of the People of God in South Jersey. During this time, I also have sought feedback from those parishioners and parish communities that have been opposed to these changes. Since April, they have given voice to their concerns in letters, phone calls and in meetings with me. I have heard these concerns and have considered carefully the feedback I have received. In a number of cases, I have requested additional information and data to ensure that parish configurations—once they formally are established by decree—will meet fully the pastoral needs of the people. Based on this feedback, and after having consulted with diocesan planning advisors and the Presbyteral Council, it is my intention to modify certain parish configurations to respond to these concerns, to address questions regarding worship space, and to optimize the pastoral care to the people of these parish communities. These refinements to the configurations announced April 3 are described in this week’s edition of the Catholic Star Herald. Soon after announcements were made last April, I also asked representatives of our Priest Personnel Board to meet with men and women in parish leadership to assess parish needs and to identify the qualities that would be needed in those priests who will be called upon to guide the parishes in the process of reconfiguration. I am pleased to announce this week the names of those priests who will be Priest Conveners and serve in this role. While these priests likely will be the pastors of the new parishes once they formally are established by decree, current pastors and administrators will remain in place in the meantime to oversee the pastoral care of the people as parish life continues. The Conveners, in collaboration with pastors, administrators and a Core Team of parishioners from the merging parishes, will focus on the specific work related to parish merger. The appointment this week of Priest Conveners is a major step in moving forward the initiative to bring about stronger parishes in the diocese. These Priest Conveners will bring great leadership, vision and pastoral sensitivity to the work ahead. I thank all of our Priest Conveners for their generous service and the work they will be doing to bring our parish communities together in the months ahead. I thank our pastors and administrators, too, for their dedication and the assistance they will offer to Priest Conveners, even as they continue to tend to the needs of parishioners in their care. The prospect of change, even when the reasons are compelling as they are here, is always challenging, for priests and parishioners alike. In a special way, I thank you, the people of the diocese, for your patience, your understanding and the support you will be giving our Priest Conveners as we together take these important steps toward a better future. Last June, in declaring this a Jubilee Year dedicated to the apostle Saint Paul, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized that St. Paul had the courage to proclaim Jesus through every difficulty, in the face of suffering and other trials. The Holy Father said we must “listen to him and learn today from him, as our teacher, ‘the faith and the truth’ in which the reasons for unity among Christ's disciples are rooted.” Impelled by our love for Jesus, enlivened and united by His love for us, let us show forth the light of the Gospel as we begin this important work and carry out His mission in our own time. May God continue to guide you and bless you. Fraternally, Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D. Bishop of Camden
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