After months of study and dialogue on the canonical options for parish restructuring, the Interparish Pastoral Commission in the Asbury Park Area has narrowed its focus down to three options. These options are being considered as the IPC creates its recommendations for Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
Principal Parish and Mission – One “full-service” parish and a second site with a “limited” schedule of worship and activity providing outreach to a population that is remote or too small for self-sufficiency.
- Members of the IPC favor this model because they see it as the best way to strengthen collaboration between already existing communities without losing the unique styles or identities of each. It offers potential for growth, greater financial stability, and better usage of existing facilities.
Twinning – Two or more parishes share a pastor, but remain distinct in other aspects.
- Twinning may foster greater collaboration between the parishes, but the census, sacramental records, finances, and most pastoral activity remain separate. The IPC recognizes a greater need for personnel in this model and feels there would be less flexibility for facility usage.
Merger – Two different parish entities become one single entity with a unified and singular identity. The unique characteristics of each parish coming into the merger are incorporated into the new community and serve to form the identity of the merged parish.
- The IPC has acknowledged that this option will represent the greatest change for the communities involved, in that the various distinct, unique parishes will cease to exist, and a new single entity will be created. The IPC has emphasized, with some concern, that merger would require the greatest commitment to cooperate with one another, and to integrate the unique qualities of the merging parishes into the new faith community that will be formed.
