Dear Brothers and Sisters of Saint Malachi and Saint Patrick Parishes,
As a follow-up to Bishop Malesic’s vision of St. Malachi Parish becoming an Oratory and developing a formal relationship with St. Patrick Parish, we held listening sessions after each weekend Mass in July at both parishes. Attached to this letter is a summary of comments that reflect the most common themes,
concerns, questions, logistics, etc. I invite you to review these comments to see what others in both parishes are thinking at this time.
At those sessions, I stated that a timeline for a strategic plan would soon be developed. With the assistance of Ms. Rosie Dolan Baker, who will be serving as our facilitator, a general timeline is currently being developed for our parishes to come together in this new relationship.
In addition to the timeline, we will be developing an Integration Steering Committee (ISC). This group will provide leadership with Rosie for creating a useful process. The ISC will be comprised of equal members from each parish. Although the committee will ultimately be appointed by me, members of both Parish Councils and Parish Staffs are being sought for their recommendations.
Our plan is to have this committee formed by October in order to begin working with Rosie. This will help the newly formed committee evaluate what parishioners have brought to our conversations and how to proceed. They will need time in the fall to be trained for this important work.
opportunity to learn more about the basic process and timeline.
Those meetings times are:
Saint Patrick Parish Weekend of Sept. 30 and October 1 Club Bldg. Lower Hall
Saint Malachi Parish Weekend of October 7 and 8 Former School Lower Hall
In the meanwhile, we will offer opportunities at both parishes to come together and get acquainted. I want to thank the many from both parishes who have offered to lend some of their personal and professional expertise as we move forward. The process itself will present opportunities for all parishioners to become engaged at various stages. Please continue to keep this initiative in your prayers. May our two great patron saints intercede for us!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Michael K. Gurnick
