A Future Full of Hope Parish Town Hall Meetings St. John of the Cross & SS. Robert & William Wednesday, June 4, 2018

Opening Prayer Almighty God, you are aware of our pastoral needs; assist us as we prepare for this time of transition for our parish. May we welcome our new experiences and opportunities in a spirit of mutual trust, common prayer, and genuine faith. May our pastoral staffs and leaders be prayerfully attentive to the needs of this parish community. May they seek prudent counsel, guidance, and advice in the spiritual and temporal care of our parish. We thank you for Fr. Sal’s leadership and wise counsel and ask your blessing upon him as the new pastor of Holy Angels. May Fr. Betters, Fr. Kowatch and Fr. Roth persevere as loving fathers, gentle shepherds and wise teachers, so that they may lead people to Christ, in whom we make our prayer this day. Amen.

A history in Euclid, Ohio St. William Parish – 1947, St. Robert – 1950 Ss. Robert & William - 2010 St. Felicitas – 1952, St. Paul –1860 St. John of the Cross - 2009

A Changing Demographic St. John of the Cross 2018 Households – 707 2018 Infant Baptisms 8 Ss. Robert & William 2018 Households – 1601 2018 Infant Baptisms - 52

A Changing Demographic Euclid, Ohio 2000 – 2014 – 47,893 A decline of 9.2% in 4 years

Change is never Easy! Reaction to Change is often Protectiveness and Fear We may worry about the future, what may come Makes us feel less in control

Some Positive Outcomes of Change We let go of some things; allows us the freedom to look at things you may not have considered in the past It brings about a sense of new life and energy into a situation Moves us to new partnerships, opportunities Helps us to learn and grow as persons and as communities It helps us to recognize our uniqueness, our strengths, our gifts

What this new relationship is NOT: Not a merger of two parishes into one! Not the bringing together of financial resources Not making one office/staff serving two parishes Not the Big Parish vs. the Little Parish

What this new relationship IS: Fr. John being asked by the Bishop to pastor two parishes with the assistance of two parochial vicars Each parish remaining its own canonical and legal entity Each parish continuing in it’s unique way of being parish Each staff and parish volunteers (disciples) staying in place and continuing their ministry. Continued partnerships between the two parishes: School Sacramental Prep (First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation & Marriage) Advent/Lent Communal Penance Services Lenten Mission

Why the Change? Desire of the Diocese to maintain the presence of the parish communities in both parishes To provide, as best we can, for the pastoral needs of the people in each community Shortage of Clergy - 1970 – 596 active priests - 2018 – 250 active priests

Why, continued… Currently 13 pastors are serving two parishes as pastor “Thinking outside the box” – SRW/SJC is the first time using a “group” of priests to serve two parishes Allows the Bishop to utilize each priest’s unique gifts and talents and not just “fill a spot” when making assignments

Understanding the “Why” Recognition of rapidly changing demographics Improving efficiencies where possible Helping quality of Rectory Life – priests living together, not alone Variety of preaching, ministry and personalities Ability for all the parishes in Euclid to have a positive impact on the area

Moving Forward - Timelines June 5 – Parish Town Hall Meetings June 5 – Meeting with Both Staffs June 12 – 2 Parochial Vicars arrive Retreat Day for Parish Staffs in July Parishioner Town Hall meeting with Fr. John St. John of the Cross, July 30 at 6:30 pm Ss. Robert & William, July 31 at 6:30 pm August 15 – Eucharistic & Marian Procession from SRW to SJOC ends with joint Mass and Picnic at SJOC Shrine

Conversations & Considerations Schedules –Sacraments, Holy Days, PSR, Parish Council & Finance Council, Organizational Meetings – especially when pastor is expected to attend Shared Activities Administration Building and Grounds Outreach Community Participation

Where will the priests live? Parishes are 2.3 miles apart At this time all 3 priest will live at SRW. Both parishes have a live answering service for after hour emergency calls. All 3 priest have cell phones and email. Over the next 12 months, we will evaluate what location will serve the priests well to assure their health and well being. No matter what both parishes will keep rectory/“priest suites”

Questions, Comments What advice would you offer in moving through this process, what would be helpful to us as a community? What are your concerns? Hopes? What are your questions?