Summary of Connected in the Spirit decisions for Indianapolis Deaneries

(Related: Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin's comments at May 21 press conference)

Archbishop Tobin speaking at May 21 press conference at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in IndianapolisParishes Merging into other Parishes

When a Parish Merges into another Parish: these parishes are what the Congregation for the Clergy refers to as extinctive union between parishes.  In this model, one parish is merged into another parish, with the parishioners from the “merging into” parish becoming part of another existing/receiving parish.  This is the model being used for three Indianapolis parishes that are merging into three other Indianapolis parishes.

There is a second model for merging parishes or extinctive union between parishes.  In this second type of merger or extinctive union, two or more parishes are extinguished and are merged into a newly formed parish.  This model was not used in the Indianapolis Deaneries.

Parishes that are merging (becoming one parish) have as their focus for the first year the specifics of merging, and when possible to begin addressing partnering with other parishes in their cohort where applicable. 

For specific information on the reasons for these mergers, please refer to the Decrees for each parish.

Parishes Merging into other Parishes:
  • Holy Trinity Parish into Saint Anthony Parish (Read the official decree here | Spanish | Read the official decree regarding the old church and property here)
  • Holy Cross Parish into Saint Philip Neri Parish (Read the official decree here | Spanish | Read the official decree regarding the old church and property here)
    • Holy Cross Central School is part of the Mother Theodore Catholic Academies and will remain open
  • Saint Bernadette Parish into Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Read the official decree here | Spanish | Read the official decree regarding the old church and property here | Read the official decree on the sale of the property here)

Linking Parishes

Linked parishes are parishes that share a common pastor or parish life coor­dinator.  Such parishes will normally share programs and pastoral administration in the same way as partner parishes.

Parishes that are linking have as their focus for the first year the specifics of linking, and when possible to begin addressing partnering with other parishes in their cohort where applicable.

Continuing Linking Parishes
New Linking Parishes

Partnership Parishes

Partner parishes are parishes which have not been juridically altered, merged, or linked by a common pastor or parish life coordinator but which are committed to work together where possible to offer common pastoral care and administration.  Thus, for example, partner parishes may eliminate duplication of programs by offering a program at one of the partner parishes for members of all of the parish partnership.

Parishes enter into partnerships with other parishes when:

  • They create joint programs.
  • When appropriate, they share staff to enhance the quality of ministry and practice good stewardship of resources.
  • They share in-service or retreats for parish pastoral councils, finance councils, or parish committees.

Each Partnership Parishes Cohort is asked to, among other common areas:

  • Plan, implement, build upon and enhance vocations awareness programs
  • Recognize the gifts of people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds and reach out to meet their needs
  • Design and implement effective lifelong faith formation programs
  • Strengthen training for liturgical and lay ministries
  • Develop a coordinated Mass schedule with consolidations/reductions in poorly attended Masses
  • Promote and support Catholic Schools
  • Develop engaging evangelization programs
Partnership Parishes Cohorts with unique, important or exemplary models:

Saint Jude and Nativity Parishes:           

  • Gathers staff at least twice a year to continue planning and implementation of programs
  • Develop new Religious Education program options for students whose families have difficulty in attending Sunday programs
  • Find ways to involve young people in parish ministries
  • Read more information on this cohort

Saint Barnabas, Saint Mark and Saint Roch Parishes:

Saint Anthony and Saint Christopher Parishes:

  • Using available Archdiocesan resources, a focused and sustainable plan for outreach to the unchurched, alienated, and inactive of the area be developed jointly
  • Read more information on this cohort

Saint John the Evangelist and Holy Rosary Parishes:

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Thomas Aquinas Parishes:

  • Partners in the area of Youth Ministry Programs (Junior High, High School, Young Adult)
  • Continue to explore options for Butler University Catholic Campus Ministry
  • Read more information on this cohort

Christ the King, Saint Lawrence, Saint Luke, Saint Matthew, Saint Pius X, and Saint Andrew Parishes:

  • Learn from and collaborate with St. Luke’s model of “Volunteer Coordinator” which seems to help their efforts very successfully in promoting parishioner participation in ministry
  • Read more information on this cohort

Saint Simon the Apostle, Saint Michael and Saint Thomas the Apostle Parishes:

Saint Philip Neri, Saint Mary and Saints Peter and Paul Parishes:

Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Lourdes and Little Flower Parishes:

Our Lady of the Greenwood and Saints Francis and Clare Parishes:

  • Develop a joint evangelization program for Greenwood
  • In collaboration with the Office of Multicultural Ministries, evaluate and develop Hispanic ministries
  • Read more information on this cohort

Saint Gabriel, Saint Michael and Saint Monica Parishes:

Saint Malachy, Saint Susanna and Mary, Queen of Peace Parishes:

Saint Ann, Saint Joseph and Saint Thomas More Parishes:

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