A merger brings two or more parishes together to form one large parish.

There is no limit to the number of parishes that might merge to form a single parish. All of the assets and liabilities of the merging parishes are united to become the assets and liabilities of the newly merged parish. This means all of the buildings and facilities of all of the parishes involved become the responsibility of the newly merged parish. Church law provides different possibilities for the merger model:

Parish A + parish B (+ possible others) = parish C,

a new and larger parish with a new name

i.e., Parish Abraham + Parish Basil = New Parish Claudius

Parish A + parish B (+ possible others) = larger parish A

with parish B (and possible others) being merged into

parish A which retains its name

i.e., Parish Abraham + Parish Basil = New Parish Abraham

This model is generally chosen by parishes which are close or relatively close together for the following reasons:

1. diminishing numbers and rising costs/debts,

2. attendance at liturgy does not warrant keeping the multiple worship sites open,

3. other church buildings can easily accommodate a combined number of worshippers,

4. a parish is no longer financially viable,

5. a church facility is too costly to repair or maintain,

6. when there simply are not enough priests to staff the current number of parishes.

[Comment: I believe that reasons 3 and 6 are the reasons for this merger.]

What remains the same in the merger?

1. The same Catholics who profess the same faith participate in liturgy and parish life with other Catholics in an expanded parish that can provide more human and material resources, more people more energy, greater financial contributions, more diversity.

2. There is already a church building consecrated for worship, ready to accept additional worshippers without engaging in a capital campaign.

3. A pastor is assigned and if needed, an additional priest (Part Time or Full Time) as a parochial vicar.

4. There is one parish council, one finance council, one religious education program, one parish bulletin, etc.

What changes when a parish merges?

One pastor is assisted by other salaried competent professional ministers such as pastoral associate, business administrator, DRE or CRE, youth minister, liturgy coordinator, and etc., to help carry out the mission of the parish.

Since normally there is one worship site so that some people will be participating in liturgy in a different church building. A new mass schedule is developed.

The parish boundaries are extended.

The downward trend for parish income experienced in some parishes before the merger may be reversed with a greater number of parishioners.

Comment: [By June 15, 2008 Father Byerley and I will resign as pastors of the former parishes. In Canon Law, they will no longer exist. The new Canonical parish, under whatever name is decided, will come into existence. Both Father Byerley and I will be able to apply for the position of pastor of that new parish, along with any other priest of the diocese, who is qualified to be a pastor. By the beginning of September 2008, the pastor of the new parish will be named and canonically be in place.]

There are more transitions and decisions to address in a merger.

Learning skills to work together cooperatively,

ensuring equal representation in parish bodies such as parish council

Greater attention and inclusion of ethnic groups will need to be addressed.

Extensive use of competent and inclusive committees to deal with the various facets of implementing the transition to merger may be new for some people.

The church facilities and buildings acquired through the merger will need to be studied for use or for possible salable real estate. Some buildings will be kept; some will likely be sold or rented to help with any debts brought by parishes to be merged.

Financial viability:

In order to be a successful merger, the newly merged parish has to be able to demonstrate that it can maintain itself financially while at the same time adding the services of professional ministers so that the parish can move toward greater vibrancy both in the formation and care of its own member and in outreach to serve others.

Places of Worship: Definitions

Primary: The Church is used during the week for daily Mass as well as on weekends for the parish’s Masses. The rectory would be near by.

Secondary: The Church may be used for some weekend Masses, and during the week for special Masses such as funerals, weddings and Religious Education religious services.

Trustees: New Trustees would be selected.

[Comment: I am not sure exactly how this would be done.]

New Pastoral Council: New Pastoral Council would be selected.

[Comment: I am not sure exactly how this would be done.]

New Financial Council: New Financial Council would be selected.

[Comment: I am not sure exactly how this would be done.]

Change of Name: This would be done in consultation with the new pastoral and financial councils.

[Comment: I am not sure exactly how this would be done.]