Three Roman Catholic Churches in Northern Cape May County to Merge

CAMDEN — A Nov. 20 letter from Diocese of Camden Bishop Joseph A. Galante to parishioners in three parishes in northern Cape May County informed them of their pending merger.
Involved in that merger will be parishes of Resurrection, Marmora, St. Casimir, Woodbine, and its mission in Goshen, St. Elizabeth.
The move will be made, “In response to challenges confronting the Church in South Jersey and the need to improve pastoral care to the faithful in every part of the diocese,” the bishop wrote.
In an April 2008 letter, the bishop unveiled his intention for the united parish, and envisioned it would take between 12 and 24 months to complete.
In a merger, he noted, parishes are united under the care of one pastor with one budget, one pastoral council and one finance council. “Resources also are combined and energies are galvanized on behalf of the entire community,” he wrote.
Presidents of pastoral councils and members of the churches’ core teams met with the bishop to relate needs of the communities.
After that meeting, Galante wrote that members “felt that the merger should not be deferred…” Because of that, “additional time that would be gained through the interim step of clustering is unnecessary,” and the parishes “should continue to prepare to unite through merger under the leadership of Priest Convener, Father Chris Bakey.”
“In all of this there was great consensus that the united of parishes would establish a more stable parish community, would be of great benefit the pastoral care of the people, and would serve the common good more effectively,” the bishop continued.
Galante wrote that some wondered what the merger’s effect would be on “plans to establish a new church in Marmora?”
“While it is my intention that the parishes merge, I have not yes issued the decree that would formally establish the new parish.
This will occur only after the Core Team has completed its work, after the Diocesan Merger Review Committee confirms the parishes; readiness to merge, and after the necessary civil and canonical steps have been completed, including a final consultation with the Presbyteral Council.”
After the new parish is establish, a new pastor will be appointed. A new finance and pastoral council will be formed.
At that time, the pastor will meet with the councils to assess the parish needs and further information the bishop of recommendations.
Until that time, Galante wrote, “It would be premature at this time to make any final determination on the construction of a new church building in Marmora.”
While he understands the parishioners’ interest in the project, “I ask for your prayerful patience in allowing the planning process to move forward.”
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com