"Go ... and make disciples of all the Nations." (Matt. 28:19)

Every baptized Catholic must witness and proclaim the Good News: the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God.

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people he claims for his own..." (I Peter 2:9)

A commitment to collaborative ministry at multiple levels will be key to the renewal of the Church's life in Maine. Shifting Diocesan demographics, uncertain economics, and an insufficient number of priests are forcing us to rediscover and reclaim our true identity as Catholic Christians to boldly proclaim Christ to the world. Population shifts have impacted the number of weekly worshipers and the financial stability of some parishes. On the other hand, Lay Ecclesial Ministers and Permanent Deacons are now available for ministry.

In its study of the Church, the Second Vatican Council stated that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives as Church. It must be central to the life of the faithful throughout the diocese. Since our celebrations of the Eucharist are impacted by the demographic realities of the diocese, provisions must be made to assure Sunday and weekday celebrations of the Eucharist.

Canon Law describes a parish as "a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a diocese." It must be of sufficient size, capable of supporting and participating in the central most important action of the Church, the celebration of Sunday Eucharist and other parish ministries: faith formation for all, evangelization outreach, ministries of justice and charity, fostering vocations, etc.

Features of the Cluster Proposal of the Diocese Planning Committee

1) Fostering and supporting parish spiritual renewal and collaborative ministry must be key to bringing about a new evangelization in the Diocese, recognizing that structural or administrative changes of themselves are insufficient to bring about a new evangelization.

2) The parishes of the diocese will be formed into 27 clusters.

3) Each of the 27 clusters will have one pastor; there will be 26 priests to serve as parochial vicars; and 8 priests assigned to special ministries in the diocese.

4) The pastoral needs of Catholic schools, colleges, hospitals, and prisons must be assured.

5) In June, 2006, each cluster will be required to present to the bishop their plan describing how the parishes in their cluster will interact and the administrative model they wish to establish.

One Pastor - Merged Parish - Centralized Team & Councils, multi-worship sites with or without a priest in residence, one Pastoral Council, one Parish Finance Council.

One Pastor - Separate Parishes (may or may not have a priest in residence) - Centralized Team & Councils, one Cluster Pastoral Council, one Cluster Finance Council.

One Pastor - Centralized Team & Councils - One Pastoral Council - One Parish Finance Council - Close existing churches and properties which are sold to provide funding for building new larger church.

One Pastor - Combination of Models I-III - Centralized Team/Councils.

For example, in a 5 parish cluster: a) 2 merge to form a new parish and 3 merge to form a second parish. b) 3 merge to form a new parish and 2 remain as separate parishes; or some other combination of the other models.

Who Does the Work?

Each Cluster has formed a Committee made up of two representatives from each parish plus the priests, deacons, and a facilitator. A chairperson and recorder are chosen from the group.

Task of the Cluster Committee

After identifying the pastoral needs of the Cluster, the Cluster Committee will recommend to the Bishop the administrative model that works best.

Task of the Parish

To determine how it may contribute to the functioning of the cluster model by sharing its gifts and resources.

Communication Commission

Most Holy Trinity has formed a Communication Commission to foster communication and collaboration between the Cluster Committee and the parish.