Weymouth Parishes Part of First Phase of Archdiocese Reorganization

Two Weymouth parishes are among the 12 collaboratives announced by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston on Thursday.

St. Jerome and Immaculate Conception, along with 26 other parishes, are part of the first phase of a large reorganization the archdiocese is implementing to deal with shrinking attendance, a shortage of priests and a lack of funding.

Both Weymouth parishes will remain open, but they will work together to share resources, according to a report by the Boston Globe. Over the next five years, 288 parishes will group into about 135 clusters.

In a statement released by the archdiocese, Fr. Paul Soper, Director of Pastoral Planning, said, “These 12 collaboratives, comprising 28 parishes, have taken a leap of faith with us, following hundreds of hours of consultation, discussion, research, reflection and prayer.  The road ahead is exciting and filled with the Spirit’s promise, alive in each and every parish.  We will meet our goals because of the work of our priests, parish staffs, parishioners and volunteers, who care deeply about parish life and the discipleship we are called to by Christ.”   

Other parishes included in this first phase are spread throughout Eastern Massachusetts, such as Saint Luke and Saint Joseph in Belmont and Sacred Heart and Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton.

For a complete list, go to http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Utility/News-And-Press/Content.aspx?id=25426.