Partnered and Clustered Parishes Forum
Officially in the archdiocese there are 25 partnered parishes and 11 ‘canonically amalgamated’ parishes - a total of 36 parishes – which, previously, were 75 parishes. Unofficially there are 13 other parishes in some form of partnership.
The context in which this reality began to take shape is the wide ranging discussion round the number of priests and the clustering of parishes in the 1980s and 1990s. Over the past ten years, more and more parishes have begun to experience this.
A key question is how can we be creative in the light of this situation? Many of these parishes are responding to changing needs in really creative ways – it’s the work of the Holy Spirit – and, in doing so, they remind us that this is very much at the heart of the ‘new evangelization.’ They are key players in it.
Another key question they have to ask is how do we create a community? (In other words, how do we assist in creating the body of Christ?) In this sense they ask, in dramatic ways, the questions asked by, and of, every parish. Again they have much to tell us about this.
They know there’s not one model that fits all; that there are many different models of partnering. Here, as in the US, this is recognized.
They also know, as one participant said at the recent PaC Forum, 'don't wait for the phone call. Take the initiative and you'll find there's support for what you do.'
PaC Forum Summary downloads
The Summary of the first Partnered and Clustered Parishes can be accessed here. In it you will find much practical wisdom about the reality that exists and 'the reality we're moving into.'
PLEASE NOTE: The meeting in April has been postponed. Further information will be made available soon.
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PaC Parishes Forum October 2011 Gallery
