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| Archdiocese to Merge Parishes in Northwest Philly, Chester County
By Shannon McDonald
The Newsworks
April 16, 2012
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/the-feed/item/36993-archdiocese-to-merger-parishes-in-northwest-philly-chester-county
Fresh off a series of mergers and closures by the Blue Ribbon Commission, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced yesterday that a dozen parishes around Northwest Philadelphia and Chester County will merge as part of a "pastoral planning initiative" for restructuring.
As of July 1,
- Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and Saint Cecilia Parish in Coatesville will merge at the location and keep the name of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish.
- Saint Joseph Parish and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Coatesville will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Joseph Parish.
- Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish and Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Germantown will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish.
- Saint Athanasius Parish and Saint Raymond of Peñafort Parish in West Oak Lane/East Mount Airy will remain as free-standing parishes.
- Saint Lucy Parish and Holy Family Parish in Manayunk will merge at the location and keep the name of Holy Family Parish.
- Saint John the Baptist Parish, Saint Josaphat Parish and Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Manayunk will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint John the Baptist Parish.
"Restructuring our parishes will be a challenge for many families and individuals," a statement from Archbishop Charles Chaput reads. "But we do need to take these steps to help every parish more effectively promote the Gospel and strengthen the future of our Catholic life together."
More merger announcements could come over the next three years as the diocese continues its study. Additional parishes in Phoenixville and Germantown require more review before a decision on their futures is made.
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