The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has announced five more parish mergers in Coatesville, Germantown, and Manayunk.
The mergers will take effect July 1. The Archdiocese announced the mergers in a statement Sunday afternoon.
"Restructuring our parishes will be a challenge for many families and individuals. Change is rarely easy. But we do need to take these steps to help every parish more effectively promote the Gospel and strengthen the future of our Catholic life together," said Archbishop Charles J. Chaput in the statement.
The mergers announced are as follows:
- In Coatesville, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish and Saint Cecilia Parish will merge at the location and keep the name of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish.
- Also in Coatesville, Saint Joseph Parish and Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Joseph Parish.
- In Germantown, Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish and Saint Vincent de Paul Parish will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint Vincent de Paul Parish.
- In Manayunk, Saint Lucy Parish and Holy Family Parish will merge at the location and keep the name of Holy Family Parish.
- Also In Manayunk, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Saint Josaphat Parish and Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish will merge at the location and keep the name of Saint John the Baptist Parish.
Beginning in July, parishoners are asked to attend daily and Sunday Mass as members of the newly formed parishes. The Archdiocese says that with the exception of Saint Francis of Assisi and Immacuate Conception in Gemantown, all the churches will be maintained as worship sites. In the case of the two Germantown churches, the Archdiocese cites the need for "serious physical improvements" to both buildings, "for which the parishes have no funds."
