Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. is spending this week in consultation with his priests on the recommendations issued in October by the Diocesan Planning Commission. The recommendations, the result of the year-long Faith in Our Future planning process, were formed by the commission after several rounds of discussions at the parish and cohort (groups of parishes) levels and will involve pastoral planning measures to strengthen parishes moving forward. Among the options reflected in the recommendations are parish merger, linkage, in solidum team leadership, personal parish designation, and collaboration.
The Bishop will meet with priests in county groups throughout the week, and will continue his consultation with other groups and diocesan leaders as he works toward making his final decisions early in the new year. He is expected to announce his decisions Jan. 25.
Faithful of the Diocese are asked to pray for this consultation process as it moves forward in the coming weeks.
Coverage of the consultation sessions with the priests will be featured in the Dec. 15 issue of The Monitor and at TrentonMonitor.com beginning Dec. 14.