Summary of New Albany and Tell City Deaneries Connected in the Spirit Decisions
(See a PDF document all off the information below)
After prayerful discernment, Archbishop Thompson has made his decisions concerning the Connected in
the Spirit recommendations for the New Albany and Tell City Deaneries and asked that they be
publicized. Archbishop Thompson read the recommendations made by the Archdiocesan Planning
Commission, he listened to concerns raised at the listening sessions and he read the written feedback
given to us at those sessions or mailed to us at the Catholic Center. After consulting and receiving
overwhelming support from the Council of Priests and the College of Deans, Archbishop Thompson
made the following decisions. For those parishes impacted by mergers there is also an accompanying
official decree that is included as an attachment to this newsletter. Parish leaders are to publish this
newsletter in their bulletins and if there is a decree, to make copies available for any parishioner at their
request.
The effective date for implementation of his decisions is July 5, 2018. Soon after this date parish leaders
will be contacted by the Archdiocesan Facilitator for the Connected in the Spirit process whose role is to
accompany all parishes as they implement these decisions.
Your patience and cooperation in this lengthy process is much appreciated. Know of our prayers for you
and your parishes.
-Annette "Mickey" Lentz, Chancellor
-Rev. Joseph Feltz, Vicar for Clergy, Religious and Parish Life Coordinator
Decisions of Archbishop Thompson for the Connected in the Spirit Process
New Albany Deanery
Mergers
St. Peter, Harrison County to be merged into St. Joseph, Corydon
(Read the official decree here)
Most Precious Blood, New Middletown to be merged into St. Joseph, Corydon
(Read the official decree here)
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
Tell City Deanery
Mergers
St. Martin of Tours, Siberia to be merged into St. Isidore the Farmer, Perry County
(Read the official decree here)
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
Merged parishes are entirely joined to another; in these cases, the independent identity of one of the
parishes will cease with the merger, and its members and assets will be incorporated into another.
Linked parishes share a single pastoral leader and cooperate in as many ways as possible, since the
pastor or administrator is striving to serve two separate parishes.
Partnerships are created through the implementation of joint programs, the appropriate sharing of staff
with a view to enhancing the quality of ministry as well as the practice of good stewardship of resources
and the use of joint councils and commissions.
Additional Resources
2014 Decrees