Wellington East – Future Options Scope of study defined July/Aug Working group with 2 reps from each of three parishes Group membership (Whelan,Wells,Dunn,Monastra,Marshall,Brook, von Lanthen) – met 4 times Aug/Nov

Scope of Study Working group was asked to : – Propose a range of options for configuration of the parishes and assets; – Consider three overarching factors : Physical assets in the area Clergy housing Schools

Vision used by Working Group A Pastoral Area which allows our Catholic people to achieve their desire to worship God, build and share their faith, grow in community and work for justice and peace. The most important driver is our spiritual and pastoral needs with a particular emphasis on access to the Eucharist.

Trends and Issues - 1 Archbishop is reviewing shape of parishes in Archdiocese Reducing number of active priests Number of Mass goers in Area stable to declining and aging Mass goers fill none of Mass Centres at the 8 Sunday Masses Four or five Masses would suffice

Trends and Issues - 2 Revenue is not meeting expense needs Seismic deficiencies, possibly costly to remediate, identified in some parish buildings Repairs and maintenance costs increasing on aging buildings

Options Proposed 1. Status Quo 2. Single Parish with multiple Mass centres 3. Single Parish with one Mass centre

1 - Status Quo -Would preserve community involvement -Easy access to Masses -Not dealing with the trends which are clearly happening -Priest workload not reduced -Significant financial burden would continue -Duplication of administration -Duplication of committees

2 – Single Parish with multiple Mass centres -Would deal with some of the issues and trends -Local communities, including schools, could still associate with a Mass centre -The workload would be easier handled by a reduced number of priests -Mass times would be able to be rationalised -Area oversight would be possible -There would be less administration and lower cost -Issues could arise around the finances of the existing parishes and how the parish funds would be integrated -There would be some loss of local autonomy

3 – Single Parish with one Mass centre -Would deal with a number of the issues and trends -Mass going reaction would be a concern; loss of local identity -Needs more work particularly around relationship with schools -Uncertainty of cost of establishment

Parish Feedback – Each parishioner is encouraged to think about the information presented – Should further options be considered ? – Have the pros and cons of the various options be covered sufficiently ? – Please have your say – The Parish Council will bring together your feedback whether in writing, verbally or ed