Parishioners learn about possibilities for Diocese of Pittsburgh reorganization
Bishop David Zubik will make the final decisions on parish reorganizations in 2018.
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Vicariates in the six counties served by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Gasps of surprise were audible as members of St. Germaine Parish in Bethel Park learned about the possibilities for the future of their church.
St. Germaine hosted a Nov. 7 consultation session in connection with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh’s “On Mission for The Church Alive!” planning initiative, which includes the reorganization of parishes throughout the six counties served by the diocese.
Two “draft models” were presented for reorganizing Vicariate 2, District 2, which now has 10 parishes serving a total population of 114,000. Among that base, 12,000 attend Mass weekly, averaging about 255 people per Mass, according to materials distributed at the session.
One proposal reduces the number of parishes to three, consolidating St. Anne in Castle Shannon, and St. Bernard and St. Winifred in Mt. Lebanon; St. Germaine and St. Valentine in Bethel Park, and St. Joan of Arc and Nativity in South Park Township; and St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin and St. Sylvester in other communities.
The second “draft model” calls for just two parishes, with St. Valentine and St. Joan of Arc reassigned to other districts. The proposal also calls for the consolidation of the Mt. Lebanon and Castle Shannon churches for one parish, with five churches, including St. Germaine, joining together for the other.
“This is a possibility that we’re asking for input on,” Denise Booher, a diocese facilitator, told the audience of about 180. “We are going to spend a year – actually, more than a year – developing the models and looking at possible different directions that might be taken.”
Diocesan Bishop David A. Zubik anticipates making final decisions in early 2018. In the meantime, the diocese is providing ample opportunity for church members to provide input regarding their opinions on potential changes.
Along with parish reorganization, “On Mission for The Church Alive!” also addresses Catholic education.
“The elementary schools of the diocese will be regionalized: from one parish, one school, to one school for a group of parishes. Already, an initiative in this regard is taking place in the North Hills,” diocesan staff member Edward Scheid said about recently announced plans to consolidate the administration of 11 schools.
Consultation sessions are taking place for all 192 parishes in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties. A video produced by the diocese that is played during each session cites factors that contribute to a need for change, including:
• Sacramental participation in the diocese is down 40 to 50 percent in the last 15 years, and Mass attendance has dropped by 40 percent.
• A demographic shift will occur as parishioners age. “Not only is Generation X smaller in number,” the video states, “but according to the Pew Research Foundation, only 30 percent of Gen-Xers attend weekly Mass, as opposed to 60 percent of baby boomers.”
• The number of priests currently in active ministry, now 216 throughout the diocese, is projected to drop to 112 by 2025, further illustrating the impetus behind consolidating parishes.
“The goal is to increase ministry, utilizing our resources so that we can do more for ministry instead of spending so much on maintenance,” Scheid said.
For more information, visit www.onmissionchurchalive.org.