GOALS FOR CONNECTED IN THE SPIRIT
The parish planning project for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is inspired by the following goals:
Recommendations to Archbishop Thompson from the Archdiocesan Planning Commission
NOTE: These are NOT Final Decisions
New Albany Deanery
Mergers
St. Peter, Harrison County to be merged into St. Joseph, Corydon, Most Precious Blood, New Middleton to be merged into St. Joseph, Corydon
The rationale from the planning commission for this recommendation is: "We make these recommendations based on the goals and criteria of Connected in the Spirit established by the Archbishop, their own parish study and Parish, Cohort and Archdiocesan data. Our thinking is also based on their desire and ours to have a strong Catholic presence in the area: While there is a strong desire to stay as they are the future does not show continued growth in this part of the county; the reliance on priests from St. Meinrad is getting more difficult as they are not sending that many priests into parish ministry as they have in the past; it is important that the parishes be less parochial and more cooperative with other parishes in their area as a show of collegiality and serve the parishioners more effectively; sharing of resources allows for continued growth in cooperation; no RCIA, little or no catechesis, no or little social outreach at Precious Blood and St. Peter parishes is a cause of concern; there have only been three baptisms at St. Peter and one baptism at Precious Blood in the last 5 years; there have been 18 funerals at St. Peter and six at Precious Blood in the five-year period; Most Precious Blood is relying on bequests to balance the budget which is not sustainable; between 2000 and 2010, the number of Catholics has declined by 30% in Harrison County while the population increased by nearly 15% in the same time period."
Linkages
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jeffersonville continue to be linked with St. Augustine, Jeffersonville
St. Bernard, Frenchtown continue to be linked with St. Michael, Bradford and with St. Joseph, Marengo
St. John the Baptist, Starlight to be linked with St. Mary of the Annunciation, Navilleton
St. Michael, Charlestown continue to be linked with St. Francis Xavier, Henryville
Partnerships
Holy Family, New Albany to be partnered with Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Albany and with St. Mary of the Annunciation, New Albany and with St. Anthony of Padua, Clarksville
St. Joseph, Corydon to be partnered with St. Mary, Lanesville
St. John the Baptist, Starlight to be partnered with St. Mary of the Annunciation, Navilleton and with St. Mary of the Knobs, Floyd Knobs
St. Michael, Charlestown to be partnered with St. Francis Xavier, Henryville and with St. John Paul II, Sellersburg
Recommendations to Archbishop Thompson from the Archdiocesan Planning Commission
NOTE: These are NOT Final Decisions
Tell City Deanery
Mergers
St. Martin of Tours, Siberia to be merged into St. Isidore the Farmer, Perry County
The rationale from the planning commission for this recommendation is:
"We make these recommendations based on their own study and concepts found on their Cohort Evaluation, Suggestion and Response Forms: Their desire and ours to have a strong Catholic presence in their area now and in the future; the steadily declining number of registered families at both St. Isidore and St. Martin of Tours; minimal sacramental participation (Baptisms, Confirmations, and Marriages) at St. Martin; their close geographic proximity; the fact that they are unnecessarily duplicating efforts by having stand-alone programs and trainings for catechists and liturgical ministers."
Linkages
St. Augustine, Leopold will continue to be linked with Holy Cross, St. Croix
St. Meinrad, St Meinrad will continue to be linked with St. Boniface, Fulda
St. Michael, Cannelton to be linked with St. Pius V, Troy, St. Mark, Tell City and St. Paul, Tell City
Partnerships
St. Meinrad, St. Meinrad to be partnered with St. Boniface, Fulda and with St. Isidore the Farmer, Perry County