Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces the names for two new parishes which will be officially established on Saturday, July 1, 2000.

Saint Elizabeth will be the name of the new parish in Upper Uwchlan Township, Chester County
(this is Elizabeth, cousin of the Virgin Mary and mother of Saint John the Baptist)
Our Lady of Guadalupe will be the name of the new parish in Buckingham Township, Bucks County

"The naming of a new parish is always a proud moment for its pastor and parishioners. The naming concretizes the efforts of all involved in the study, planning and establishment of these new parish communities. Now the people have a name to call their new church and parish," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

The pastors of the new parishes are Reverend Monsignor Thomas M. Mullin, Saint Elizabeth Parish and Reverend Joseph J. Quindlen, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The pastors recommended the names after consulting with the parishioners. Presently, there are no other parishes in the Archdiocese with these names. Cardinal Bevilacqua said, "I am happy to accept the recommendations of Monsignor Mullin and Father Quindlen and place these parishes under the protection of Saint Elizabeth in Chester County and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Bucks County. Much hard work lies ahead, but I am confident that the pastors and parishioners of these new parishes will work together to establish a fitting space to worship God and serve the needs of God's people."

Mass for Saint Elizabeth Parish, Chester County will take place temporarily at the Shamona Creek Elementary School on Dorlans Mill Road in Upper Uwchlan Township (pending Downingtown Area School District approval), beginning after Labor Day. Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Bucks County will take place temporarily on Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Doylestown.

Cardinal Bevilacqua announced the creation of the parishes on April 14, 2000. The recommendations for the new parishes originated with the Cluster Pastoral Plan of Cluster 30 in Bucks County (accepted by Cardinal Bevilacqua in July 1999) and the Cluster Pastoral Plan of Cluster 43 in Chester County (accepted by Cardinal Bevilacqua in May 1999).

Cluster Pastoral Planning began in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1996. It is an outgrowth of Parish self-study and Parish planning which began in 1993. Cluster Pastoral Planning is a grassroots process in which priests, religious and lay people recommend the best way to use available resources to create a stronger Catholic church in their community.

ST. ELIZABETH PARISH
UPPER UWCHLAN TOWNSHIP
CHESTER COUNTY VICARIATE

NAME SELECTION
After consultation with parishioners, Monsignor Mullin recommended the name to Cardinal Bevilacqua
Parishioners expressed strong interest in a name connected to the Blessed Mother
Saint Elizabeth was Mary's cousin and John the Baptist's mother

PARISH FACILITIES' LOCATION
Intersection of Pottstown Pike (Route 100) and Fellowship Road in Upper Uwchlan Township
36 acre parcel
Land purchased from Pulte Homes Corporation Inc. in January 2000
The rectory will be located at 2 Fox Ridge Road, Glenmoore as of August 1, 2000
(Phone number to be announced)

BOUNDARIES
New parish territory is comprised of portions of:
Saint Basil the Great Parish (Kimberton)
Saint Joseph Parish (Downington)
Saint Peter Parish (Honey Brook)
Saints Philip & James Parish (Exton)
Students already enrolled in other parish schools may remain in those schools
PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) (CCD) students will remain in their current programs until the new pastor has adequate resources to support a program in the new parish

BUILDING
No building time line established
This will be a priority for Monsignor Mullin and parishioners

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PARISH
BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP
BUCKS COUNTY VICARIATE

NAME SELECTION
After consultation with parishioners, Father Quindlen recommended the name to Cardinal Bevilacqua
Our Lady of Guadalupe reflects continuity between the past and present, since both Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish and the new parish will be under the protection and patronage of Our Lady
Pope John Paul II concludes his apostolic exhortation, The Church in America, with the invocation "Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, pray for us!"
There are no other parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia named in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe

PARISH FACILITIES' LOCATION
Northeast corner of Route 263/202 and Quarry Road in Buckingham Township
34 acre parcel
Land purchased from a private citizen in January 1997
Father Quindlen will reside temporarily at Regina Coeli Residence for Priests, 685 York Road in Warminster (Phone: 215-441-4642)

BOUNDARIES
New parish is comprised solely of territory from within the present boundaries of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Doylestown
Expansion of facilities at Our Lady of Mount Carmel is not possible because parish-site is land-locked

BUILDING
No building time line established
This will be a priority for the Father Quindlen and parishioners

Contact
Donna Crilley
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747