1. Parish Restructuring Presentations April 12, 13, 14, 2016

2. Loving God, author of creation, your spirit pervades and enriches our world. Through your Son, who shares our humanity you have called us to participate in your divine creativity and to build the kingdom of God here on earth.

3. Form us, we pray, as one community under the leadership of our bishop to serve all the people of this region in your name.

5. Inspire us to discover new ways and structures to spread your Gospel. Open our eyes to see Christ in others, especially the poor, the sick and the marginalized.

6. Empower us to be the hands and feet of Christ in our parishes and communities. Help us to welcome all into His embrace.

8. Guide us in our discernment, as we pray with Pope Francis for the vision to see new paths of possibility.

10. for a spirit of mission that invigorates our every effort; and for the strength to be unafraid of what is new.

11.  Deacon Marty Eisert  Msgr. Edward Lohse  Msgr. Richard Siefer  Parish-by-parish presentation  Timeline

12.  Deacon Marty Eisert  Msgr. Edward Lohse  Msgr. Richard Siefer  Parish-by-parish presentation  Timeline  Q & A

13. The best pastoral and spiritual care of souls

14. “…enabling each person to advance the reign of God and achieve full human potential and salvation in Christ.”

15.  Pastoral focus  Best pastoral care for souls

16.  aging  dwindling  increased responsibilities  use of resources

17.  parish operation  focus on future “First and foremost, our mission is to preach Jesus Christ and help people develop a relationship with him.” Bishop Persico

18.  Strengthen Catholic education  Invigorate parishes  Increase vocations  Expand faith formation  Realign organization structur e

19.  Preliminary plan unveiled Oct. 2015  Feedback  Preliminary plan adjusted  Final plan announced Feb. 2016 “Schools and parishes, that’s where the life of the church is experienced.” —Bishop Persico

20.  Taking stock  Preliminary plan  Feedback  Adjust

21.  Proclaim the Gospel through sacraments, ministry and local service  Breathe new life into our spiritual communities

22.  Diocesan population has shrunk by 6.7%.  Mirrors the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and northeastern cluster of states FACT: The population migration continues from the northeast states toward the southern and southwestern states U.S. Census Bureau’s Demographic Trends in the 20 th Century

23.  Registered households decreased 19 percent from 71,491 in 2004 to 59,692 in 2014  Mass attendance decreased 26 percent from 65,858 in 2006 to 48,696 in 2014

24.  In the Diocese of Erie, only 34.5 percent of Catholics registered in parishes attend Mass on a typical weekend  Infant baptisms have declined every year for more than a decade. In 2014 there were 768 baptisms, which means 43% fewer infants were baptized than in 2004

25.  There are more than twice as many funerals as baptisms in our diocese. An 11% decline in deaths comparing 2014 (2,360) to 2004 (2,660), underscores the decreasing number of parishioners  Diminishing number of active priests  Aging presbyterate

26.  We must operate within our reality  Change required at all levels  We are not alone Fact: Change is the one constant in life.

27.  About a third of parishes in the US are consolidated or linked  More than one quarter (27%) share a pastor with at least one other parish (source: Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership study)

28.  About a third of parishes in the US are consolidated or linked  More than one quarter (27%) share a pastor with at least one other parish (source: Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership study)  In the Diocese of Erie, 49 (mostly small) parishes already share a pastor with at least one other parish

29. “Our primary concern is to provide the best pastoral and spiritual care for souls.” “Our primary concern is to provide the best pastoral and spiritual care for souls.”

30. Through the implementation of two parish models and a transitional step:  Stand-Alone Parish  Partnered Parish  Merged Parish Fact: Nearly 150 parishes, missions or church “stations” have been partnered, merged or closed during the Diocese of Erie’s 163-year history

31. A canonically distinct parish with its own:  pastor  parish church  finances and finance council  pastoral (parish) council  staff and office  focus on mission and ministry (guided by a shared diocesan vision)

32. A canonically distinct parish with its own:  parish church  finances and finance council But which shares with another parish:  one pastor  one pastoral (parish) council  one staff and office  one focus on mission and ministry (guided by a shared diocesan vision)

33.  enhanced opportunities for worship  pools resources for more effective evangelization  addresses decreasing priest personnel throughout the diocese  efficiencies in operation  This model is used in other dioceses

34.  Understanding MERGING as a transitional step  Once two or more parishes merge, a new STAND ALONE parish or a new PARTNERED parish is created

35.  Creates a vibrant parish in a local community through:  enhanced opportunities for worship  effective evangelization  optimum utilization of clergy  efficient operation  This model is used in other dioceses

36.  In addition, merging parishes will result in each new STAND ALONE or PARTNERED parish having multiple churches: 1. the parish church 2. one or more secondary churches

37.  Every parish is to have its own parish church, with rights and obligations which are proper to parish churches.  Some parishes may have additional churches, also called secondary churches. These do not share the rights and obligations proper to parish churches.

38.  Sunday Masses and Holy Day Masses are always permitted in parish churches, but not necessarily in secondary churches.  In the Diocese of Erie, those secondary churches in which Sunday Masses and Holy Day Masses are permitted are called mission churches.

39.  Weekday Masses and other devotions, both public and private, can be celebrated in any parish or secondary church, under the direction of the pastor and in accord with proper liturgical norms.

40.  Criteria established by Parish Listening Task Force  Comprehensive data gathered on each parish

41.  Geographical location/distance for people to reach a parish  Potential for population growth and demographics of the area  Recommendations from the parish snapshots  Financial stability of the parish

42.  Seating capacity of churches and ancillary facilities that support parish ministry  Condition of the facilities  Projected number of active priests

43. St. Anonymous parish - 1 Mass City: Erie County: Erie REGISTERED HOUSEHOLDS 2014 to 2015 2014 / 357 2015 / 293  Numerical increase (+)/decrease (-)-64  Percentage increase (+)/decrease (-)-17.9% 2007 to 2015  Numerical increase (+)/decrease (-)-269 (2007 total: 562)  Percentage increase (+)/decrease (-)-47.9%  Nine-year trendNone increased. Eight decreased. ++++++++++++++++++++ MASS ATTENDANCE 2014 to 2015 2014 / 188 2015 / 70  Numerical increase (+)/decrease (-)-118  Percentage increase (+)/decrease (-)- 62.8% 2007 to 2015  Numerical increase (+)/decrease (-) -205 (2007 total: 275)  Percentage increase (+)/decrease (-) -74.5%  Nine-year trend Two increased. Six decreased.

44. PARISHES in the EASTERNVICARIATE

45. 1. Merge Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish into St. Francis of Assisi Parish 2. St. Francis Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: -parish church: St. Francis -secondary church: Our Mother of Perpetual Help

46. 3. Partner the newly enhanced St. Francis of Assisi Parish with St. Bernard Parish

47. 1. Sacred Heart Church remains a mission church of St. Bibiana Parish

48. 2. Eliminate weekend Masses at St. Augustine Church, eliminating its distinction as a mission

49. 3. Transfer St. Augustine Church from St. Bibiana Parish to St. Eulalia Parish ( by redefining the parish boundaries )

50. 4. St Bibiana Parish remains a STAND ALONE parish, but now has two churches: - parish church: St. Bibiana - secondary mission church: Sacred Heart Mission

51. 5. St. Eulalia remains partnered parish but now has two churches: -parish church: St. Eulalia -secondary church: St. Augustine

52. 6. St. Eulalia also remains partnered with St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Port Allegany.

53.  Merge St. Joseph Parish into St. Elizabeth Parish St. Elizabeth Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: -parish church: St. Elizabeth -secondary church: St. Joseph

54.  Merge St. Theresa Parish into St. Raphael Parish St. Raphael becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with three churches: -parish church: St. Raphael Parish -secondary mission church: St. Theresa -secondary mission church: St. Mary

55.  Correctly identify Holy Cross Church as a secondary church of Holy Rosary Parish Holy Rosary Parish is a STAND ALONE parish with three churches: - parish church: Holy Rosary - secondary church: St. Anne - secondary church: Holy Cross

56.  Merge Holy Cross Parish into St. Boniface Parish  St. Boniface becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Boniface - secondary church: Holy Cross  The Saint Marys Deanery increases to include all of the newly-enlarged St. Boniface Parish

57.  Merge Holy Trinity Parish into St. Basil the Great Parish  St. Basil the Great becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Basil the Great - secondary mission church: Holy Trinity

58.  Merge Immaculate Conception Parish into Christ the King Parish  Christ the King becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: Christ the King - secondary mission church: Immaculate Conception

59.  St. Agnes Parish retains Saints Peter and Paul Mission at Hawk Run, but is no longer partnered with Immaculate Conception at Osceola Mills

60.  St. Agnes Parish becomes a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Agnes - secondary mission church: Ss. Peter and Paul

61.  Partner St. Bonaventure Parish with St. Timothy Parish

62. Step one:  Merge St. Joseph Parish into St. Catherine of Siena Parish  St. Catherine of Siena becomes a newly enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Catherine of Siena - secondary church: St. Joseph Church

63. Step two:  Partner St. Catherine of Siena Parish with St. Michael the Archangel Parish

64.  Correctly identify St. Adrian, St. Anthony, and St. Joseph as secondary churches of Ss. Cosmas and Damian Parish, and not as missions.

65.  Ss. Cosmas and Damian Parish remains a STAND ALONE parish with four churches: - parish church: Ss. Cosmas and Damian - secondary church: St. Adrian - secondary church: St. Anthony of Padua - secondary church: St. Joseph

66.  St. Bernard Parish remains a STAND ALONE parish but will have a part-time, non-resident pastor with responsibilities at the hospital and Christ the King Manor, while residing at St. Catherine rectory, DuBois

67.  Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish remains partnered with St. Mary Parish  Offer three weekend Masses between the two partnered parishes

68.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

69.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

70.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

71.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

72.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

73.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

74.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

75.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Callistus (Kane) - secondary church: Ss. John and Stephen in James City

76.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: Immaculate Conception (Brookville) - secondary mission church: St. Dominic Mission (Sigel )

77.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Mark (Emporium) - secondary mission church: St. James (Driftwood ) (seasonal Mass only)

78.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with three churches: - parish church: St. Mary of the Assumption (Frenchville) - secondary mission church: Ss. Peter & Paul (Grassflat) - secondary mission church: St. Severin (Drifting) (no change)

79. PARISHES in the NORTHERNVICARIATE

80.  Merge St. John the Baptist Parish into Holy Rosary Parish  Holy Rosary Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: Holy Rosary - secondary church: St. John the Baptist

81.  Our Mother of Sorrows Parish is made up of parishioners at: Holy Family St. Ann St. Casimir parishes  There is no church building called Our Mother of Sorrows  In addition, the parish has never had a properly designated parish church

82. Therefore we are taking advantage of this opportunity: 1. Designate St. Ann Church as the parish church of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish 2. Holy Family Church and St. Casimir Church become secondary churches of the parish

83. 3. Next: Extend the border between Our Mother of Sorrows Parish and St. Patrick Parish

84. 4. Merge St. Hedwig Parish into Our Mother of Sorrows Parish 5. Our Mother of Sorrows Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with four churches: - parish church: St. Ann - secondary churches: Holy Family St. Casimir St. Hedwig

85.  Partner Mount Calvary and St. Mark the Evangelist parishes

86.  Partner St. Andrew Parish with St. Jude the Apostle Parish

87.  Partner St. Paul Parish with Sacred Heart Parish  Appoint a permanent deacon to assist with the administration of St. Paul Parish

88.  Merge St. Philip Parish into Our Lady of the Lake Parish  Our Lady of the Lake Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: Our Lady of the Lake - secondary church: St. Philip

89.  Merge St. Anthony Parish into Holy Redeemer Parish  Holy Redeemer Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: Holy Redeemer - secondary mission church: St. Anthony

90.  St. Teresa of Avila remains a STAND ALONE Parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Teresa of Avila - secondary mission church: Our Lady of Fatima  Reduce the Sunday use of Our Lady of Fatima church to seasonal weekend Mass

91.  Merge St. Elizabeth Parish into St. Thomas the Apostle Parish  St. Thomas the Apostle becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Thomas the Apostle - secondary church: St. Elizabeth

92.  Merge St. Luke Parish into St. Joseph Parish  St. Joseph Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Joseph - secondary mission church: St. Luke

93.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

94.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

95.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

96.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

97.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

98.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

99.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

100.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

101.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

102.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

103.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

104.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

105.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

106.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

107.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

108.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

109.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

110.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

111.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

112.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

113.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

114.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. John (Tidioute) - secondary mission church: St. Anthony (Tionesta) (no change)

115. PARISHES in the WESTERNVICARIATE

116.  Partner St. Michael Parish with St. Joseph Parish  Assign the pastor to reside at St. Joseph rectory in Lucinda

117.  St. Brigid Parish, St. Mary of Grace Parish, and St. Agatha Parish will be partnered

118.  St. Peter Parish and St. Philip Parish will be partnered

119.  Shorten the name of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Parish to Our Lady of Fatima Parish  Merge St. Adalbert Parish and St. Anthony of Padua Parish into Our Lady of Fatima Parish

120. St. Adalbert Church and St. Anthony of Padua Church become secondary churches of Our Lady of Fatima Parish

121. Our Lady of Fatima Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with three churches: - parish church: Our Lady of Fatima - secondary church: St. Adalbert Church - secondary church: St. Anthony of Padua Church

122.  Merge St. Stanislaus Kostka-Holy Trinity Parish and Sacred Heart Parish into St. Joseph Parish  St. Stanislaus Church and Sacred Heart Church become secondary churches of St. Joseph Parish

123.  St. Joseph Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with three churches: - parish church: St. Joseph - secondary church: Sacred Heart - secondary church: St. Stanislaus

124. STEP 1  Merge Assumption of the BVM Parish and Our Lady Help of Christians Parish into St. Joseph Parish

125. STEP 2  Merge St. Venantius into St. Stephen Parish

126. STEP 3  Partner enhanced St. Joseph Parish with enlarged St. Stephen Parish

127. St. Joseph Parish will have three churches: - parish church: St. Joseph - secondary church: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - secondary church: Our Lady Help of Christians

128. St. Stephen Parish will have two churches: - parish church: St. Stephen - secondary church: St. Venantius

129.  Merge St. Walburga Parish into St. Titus Parish  St. Walburga Church becomes a secondary church of St. Titus Parish

130.  Immaculate Conception Church remains a secondary church of St. Titus Parish, but without weekend Masses, eliminating its distinction as a mission.

131.  St. Titus Parish becomes an enhanced STAND ALONE parish with three churches: - parish church: St. Titus - secondary church: Immaculate Conception - secondary church: St. Walburga

132. STAND ALONE Parishes in the WESTERN VICARIATE

133.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

134.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

135.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

136.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

137.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

138.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

139.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

140.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

141.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish (no change)

142.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: Immaculate Heart of Mary - secondary church: St. Hermenegild (no change)

143.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Hippolyte - secondary mission church: Our Lady of Lourdes (no change)

144.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Anthony of Padua (Cambridge Springs) - secondary mission church: St. Bernadette (Saegertown) (no change)

145.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Charles (New Bethlehem) - secondary mission church: St. Nicholas of Tolentino (Crates) (no change)

146.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Eusebius (East Brady) - secondary mission church: St. Richard (Rimersburg) (no change)

147.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Mary (Crown) - secondary mission church: St. Ann (Marienville) (no change)

148.  Remains a STAND ALONE parish with two churches: - parish church: St. Michael (Greenville) - secondary mission church: St. Margaret (Jamestown ) (no change)

149.  Partnering and merging parishes are not the end result  They are the means to the goal  The goal is to build new and vibrant communities of faith

150.  Deanery meetings for feedback  Online feedback through May 20  ErieRCD.org  May through August  September announcement  February 2017 implementation

151.  The diocese is collaborating with Meitler to create  a kit for parishes that are partnering  a kit for parishes that are merging  a guide for stand-alone parishes

152. We are a people of God God is journeying with us Guide us in our discernment... for the vision to see new paths of possibility... and for the strength to be unafraid of what is new. Pastoral Planning Prayer