Planning Commission
final recommendations:
What's next for the Diocese of Madison?

By Grant Emmel
VICE-CHANCELLOR

Hardship Clusters CLUSTER 15 PARISHES: St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison; St. Patrick, Madison; Holy Redeemer, Madison; St. Paul University Catholic Center, Madison CLUSTER 17 PARISHES: St. Mary of Lourdes, Belleville; St. James, Dayton; St. William, Paoli; St. Andrew, Verona CLUSTER 30 PARISHES: St. Aloysius, Sauk City; St. Norbert, Roxbury; St. Barnabas, Mazomanie; St. Mary, Merrimac CLUSTER 34 PARISHES: St. Patrick, Lodi; St. Thomas the Apostle, Poynette; St. Michael, Dane

On June 20, 2007, Bishop Robert Morlino was given the Guided by the Spirit Final Recommendations from the Diocesan Planning Commission.

These recommendations are the culmination of nine months of conversations among parishes and between the parishes and the Planning Commission as all prayed and deliberated about the parish reorganization for the Diocese of Madison.

After being sent to Bishop Morlino, the individual recommendations were sent to the respective Core Committee members representing each parish.

Seeking input

Additionally, the Bishop has asked for the opinions of the various diocesan bodies that he relies upon for guidance and direction, namely, the College of Consultors, the Diocesan Finance Council, the Presbyteral Council, the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Priest Personnel Board, and the Diocesan staff. This group of nearly 65 persons is expected to respond, either by meeting or individually, by August with their comments and suggestions, so that the Bishop has ample time to consider their input.

Another source from which the Bishop expects to receive input is those clusters who, because of unusual circumstances, believe that the recommendations presented by the Planning Commission represent a hardship to their parishes and cluster. The Planning Commission as part of their deliberations, identified four clusters as being "hardship" clusters for the Bishop to plan to visit and discuss the Final Recommendation with the cluster as a whole. (see sidebar).

Other clusters who believe that they have an urgent need to discuss their cluster's Final Recommendation with Bishop Morlino should have their Cluster Chairperson contact Grant Emmel (608-821-3010, guidedbythespirit@straphael.org) to discuss their need. All hardship clusters should also contact Grant Emmel to schedule their meeting with Bishop Morlino.

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