In a letter dated January 8, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. Francis Beach, Regional Vicar for Philadelphia-North Vicariate, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 16, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The 12 parishes of Cluster 16 are:

St. Adalbert Parish
St. Joan of Arc Parish
All Saints Parish
St. John Cantius Parish
Ascension of Our Lord Parish
Mater Dolorosa Parish
St. George Parish
Mother of Divine Grace Parish
Holy Innocents Parish
Nativity B.V.M Parish
St. Joachim Parish
Our Lady Help of Christians Parish

Cluster 16's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Address the projection of diocesan priests, reducing the number of priests in the cluster from 19 to 14 in the year 2000. This will be accomplished by exploring the possibility of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales staffing Mater Dolorosa Parish, and by removing the parochial vicars from these four parishes: St. Adalbert, Ascension of Our Lord, Holy Innocents, and St. Joan of Arc.

2) Offer quality Catholic education which meets the changing cluster needs. This will be accomplished by establishing a Cluster Education Committee, consisting of the pastor, principal and a parent from each parish school in the Cluster.

3) Share cluster riches and spiritual resources. This will be accomplished by sharing various ministries between cluster parishes.

4) Increase lay leadership and involvement in the Church with special emphasis on evangelization. This will be accomplished by establishing parish evangelization teams.

5) Oversee the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan upon acceptance by Cardinal Bevilacqua. This will be accomplished by establishing an Implementation Committee to foster the growth and development of the cluster.

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Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. Francis Beach, at 215-508-4250.

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John Miller
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215-587-3747