COLLABORATIVE PARISHES Model: Parishes within a Cohort enter into formal, collaborative relationships, working together on specific, agreed-upon shared areas of ministry, shared programs, shared staffing, shared resources; parishes remain distinct with their own pastor, pastoral and finance councils, finances, census and sacramental books; collaborative parishes work together whenever possible to do what a single parish cannot do effectively alone.
LINKAGE PARISHES Model: Two or more parishes within a Cohort share one pastor for all parishes involved but remain distinct with their own pastoral councils (linked parishes may prefer to share a pastoral council together) and finance councils (must remain separate), finances, census and sacramental books; whenever appropriate and possible, linkage parishes work together to share ministries, programs, services, etc. Linked parishes should collaborate with other parishes in the Cohort.Pastoral care for Catholic residents in prisons located in the Diocese will continue to be arranged whenever possible by the Diocesan Coordinator for Prison Ministry.
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I now announce the following decisions concerning the recommendations presented to me preceded by “working definitions” so that their meaning can be properly understood:
COHORT 1
Corpus Christi, Willingboro • Jesus the Good Shepherd, Riverside • Resurrection, Delran
2. Linkage Model for Sts. Francis and Clare and St. Mary, no later than July 1, 2017; Merger Model, no later than July 1, 2018
COHORT 6
Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony, Hamilton • St. John, Allentown • St. Gregory the Great, Hamilton Square • St. Raphael-Holy Angels, Hamilton • St. Vincent de Paul, Yardville
4. Merger Model of Divine Mercy and Sacred Heart, no later than July 1, 2017; Spanish Mass transferred to Our Lady of the Angels
COHORT 11
St. Catherine of Siena, Farmingdale • St. William the Abbot, Howell • St. Veronica, Howell
COHORT 12
St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold • St. Joseph, Millstone • St. Rose of Lima, Freehold • St. Thomas More, Manalapan
3. St. Mark designated as a Center for Hispanic Ministry, no later than July 1, 2017
COHORT 20
St. Denis, Manasquan • Epiphany, Brick • St. Martha, Point Pleasant • St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach
4. Periodic review of St. Francis of Assisi in consultation with the Franciscan Order