November 25, 2015
Dear Core Team Members:
Again, thanks to all of you who attended one of the training sessions last week. We were pleased with the attendance and the enthusiasm for Faith in Our Future. Here are some reminders as we move ahead:
a. About 1 in 5 Catholics attend Mass on an average weekend
b. 52 parishes have more funerals than baptisms
c. The diocese is about 15% Hispanic and this population is growing
d. There is one priest for every 1300 families
e. 65 priests are retiring in the next 10 years
f. 39% of parishes operate at a deficit
g. Parishes owe the Diocese $60 million for loans and unpaid bills
a. Meet as a Core Team in December or early January, review sections I & II in the Planning Guide to clarify your role and responsibility as a Core Team.
b. Plan meetings at least for every other week through early March.
c. Decide on a communications strategy to keep your fellow parishioners involved.
d. Begin to evaluate the 4 areas of parish life in ways that involve the whole parish (e.g. surveys, task forces, work groups, town hall meetings, etc.)
e. Contact your Reid Group consultant with your questions and concerns.
Thank you for agreeing to give your time and energy to Faith in Our Future.
FAITH IN OUR FUTURE STAFF & COUNTY CONSULTANTS
Diocesan Office Staff
Msgr. Leonard Troiano, [email protected], 1-609-403-7159
Sherrie Sporek, [email protected], 1-609-403-7193
FAX: 1-609-406-7413
MAILING ADDRESS: Faith in Our Future, Diocese of Trenton
701 Lawrenceville Road, Trenton, NJ 08648
The Reid Group Consultants
Burlington & Ocean Counties Consultant Tom Reid, [email protected], 1-206-947-2990
Monmouth County Consultant John Reid, [email protected], 1-206-947-1055
Mercer County & Bi-Lingual Consultant Karen Castellon, [email protected], 1-908-240-9941