Clustering Committee

To view the Bishop's Letter regarding the merge of Holy Cross Parish and St. Christine Parish, the cluster proposal and expectations or any of the education pieces from 2007, please click on the links to the right.

Pastor change

Fr. Joe Fortuna, S.T.D., was appointed Pastor of Our Lady of the Lake effective February 21, 2010. Fr. John McNulty was reassigned as the Pastor of Communion of Saints Parish (merge of St. Ann, St. Louis, St. Philomena and Christ the King) in January 2010.

Bulletin Inserts

In order to keep parishioners informed of updates in the merge process between Holy Cross and St. Christine, there have been a number of newsletters and calendars inserted in the parish bulletins. Click on the insert below to view or print the appropriate newsletter or calendar.

Notes from Merger Transition Team meeting on February 7th
Mass Schedule Set
January 2010
October 2009
October 2009 Joint Calendar
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009

Letters

As we approach the merge date of February 21, 2010, a number of communications have been mailed to parishioners to address specific issues. Click on the letter below to view or print it.

Liturgial Ministries Training Letter (2-10-2010)
Holy Cross School Name Change (1-30-2010)
Parish Membership Letter (1-25-2010)
Postcard Reply to Membership Letter (1-25-2010)

Clustering Process

The Euclid Cluster provided Bishop Lennon with an Cluster Report on addressing several points in his original letter.

The Euclid Cluster Proposal was submitted to Bishop Lennon on September 15, 2008. Click here to view the Euclid Cluster Proposal presented at the Town Hall meeting on May 27, 2008.

After reviewing the proposal and feedback from parishioners, Bishop Lennon responded with this letter regarding the merge of Holy Cross Parish and St. Christine Parish.
The following subcommittees have been created to assist with the merge. They include staff, parish council members and parishioners from both Holy Cross and St. Christine parishes.

Please contact the rectory if you would like to serve on any of these subcommittees:

Social Activities and Parish Life
Welcoming Committee
“Naming” of the New Parish
Education and Faith Formation
Liturgy and Worship
Finances and Facilities
Parish History
Parish Ministries and Outreach

Vibrant Parish Life II

The Clustering Process is part of Vibrant Parish Life II.

In February of 2001, Bishop Anthony Pilla presented Vibrant Parish Life, beginning the framework for an evolving "pastoral plan" for our diocese. This message is grounded in the hope that "we will do all that is possible to sustain and enhance the vibrant parish life to which Jesus calls us - for every parishioner and for our priests and parish ministers."

The purpose of Vibrant Parish Life II builds upon all that we has been done in Phase I and is stated:

We are being called to be Church in new ways so that the Diocese of Cleveland can further develop vibrant Catholic communities and ministries. This phase includes sharing priests, deacons, parish life coordinators, lay ecclesial ministers and other parish staff, as well as actively engaging the gifts of all the baptized. We accomplish this through education, planning, and collaboration in the clustering, reconfiguring and effective staffing of parishes.

Phase II includes providing comprehensive education about current and future realities in our diocese, especially regarding parish staffing and the implications of having fewer priests. We must also work together - with cluster partners - in a collaborative, long term relationship to plan and provide pastoral care for these communities. Each parish has its own parish identity, canonical status and financial accountability in this relationship. Clusters will address the future parish staffing and reconfiguring to meet pastoral needs for the next 5 to 10 years. In some cases over time, these collaborative efforts may lead to addressing the merging, consolidating or closing of parishes to strengthen and sustain the long term Church mission and ministry.

Over 60% of our 233 parishes now have one priest assigned. One priest simply cannot do what was possible when parishes had two, three or four priests. While the number of deacons and lay ministers have increased, the ability to address pastoral needs is uneven based on the size and gifts of parish staffs in different parishes. Collaboration can better serve more people.
Today, we have choices and an opportunity to plan for the future. If we fail to plan, the day will soon come when circumstances rather than choices will determine our future. As a Church, we must use our time to discern where the Spirit is leading and give our people a voice in how we can create a vibrant Catholic life and ministry for everyone.
Today, we have choices and an opportunity to plan for the future. If we fail to plan, the day will soon come when circumstances rather than choices will determine our future. As a Church, we must use our time to discern where the Spirit is leading and give our people a voice in how we can create a vibrant Catholic life and ministry for everyone.