Clustering Means Closing

As many of you know, the diocese has implemented a process called “clustering” in order to deal with the lack of vocations in this area. This process involves a grouping of several parishes under one pastor and the pooling of their resources. The parishes involved in this process are usually told that clustering will help to ensure their future viability.

Many sensible people have had serious doubts about this supposed strength through unity philosophy. Many have seen through the smokescreen and recognized that “clustering” really means “closing”.

The Cathedral Community is a clustering of Sacred heart Cathedral, Holy Rosary, and Most Precious Blood. It was recently announced that Holy Rosary and Most Precious Blood will be closing. All operations will be consolidated at the Cathedral. Many concerned parishioners at these parishes are now asking the questions that should have been asked in 1997 when the cluster was announced.

In order to deal with these concerned parishioners the Cathedral Community held three “listening sessions” on May 6, 10, and 12. A list of 31 questions and answers from these sessions was inserted into the Cathedral Communities bulletin of last week. One of the questions was:

“Why were we betrayed? Clustering was accepted because it was supposed to help keep all three churches open.”

Answer: “It was hoped that clustering would strengthen the vitality of all three parishes, but it proved unable to reverse the downward trends in attendance and sacraments that made clustering necessary in the first place.”

Could it be any more obvious that clustering is a flawed process? Unless of course the plan is to close these parishes right from the start. In many cases it would seem that clustering is nothing more than planned obsolescence for parishes.

Perhaps it’s time to go back to the tried and true-vocations and evangelization. Why not start with the approximately 200,000 diocesan Catholics who no longer regularly attend Mass on Sunday. 200,000 practicing Catholics would go a long way toward reversing the decline of faith in this diocese. I’m sure the parishioners of Holy Rosary and most Precious Blood would agree.