November 30, 2005
Most Rev. Bishop Matthew H. Clark D.D.
Diocese of Rochester
1150 Buffalo Road
Rochester, New York 14624
Dear Bishop Clark,
During the past year the members of the Auburn Catholic Community
Pastoral Planning Group have
met to listen, study, discuss, and pray together. The following plan was
developed through consensus
keeping in mind the specific directives in your letter.
The city of Auburn has a unique and rich history of Catholicism. In the
middle of the nineteenth
century European immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Poland and Italy
established homes and faith
communities in the Auburn area. Each group brought with them rich and
varied traditions and
religious practices. Being mindful of the diversity of our planning
group we developed a plan to keep
all seven churches open and viable. In the light of the reduction of
priests assigned to the Auburn
Pastoral Planning Group in the future, it was agreed to establish two
working groups to explore ways
of collaborating ministries, staffs and activities.
All issues covered in the plan were respectfully considered, affirmed by
all pastoral councils and parish
members, and approved by the representatives of the Auburn Pastoral
Planning Group.
The immediate concern of the Auburn Pastoral Planning Group is the
continuing pastoral needs and
leadership of St. Hyacinth and St. Francis of Assisi. Our plan requests
the clustering of both churches
with the appointment of a priest pastor as spiritual leader.
The Auburn Catholic Community respectfully submits the following
document for your approval.
In the peace of Christ,
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
Albert V. Nicolella Linda M. Fentner OCDS Karen Walter
APPG Co-chair APPG Co-Chair Configuration Chair
cc: Deb Housel, Planning Group Liaison
Rev. Dennis Shaw, Holy Family; Sr. Chris Treichel OSF, Sacred Heart/St.
Ann’s; Rev. Louis
Vasile, St. Alphonsus; Rev. Peter DeBellis, St. Francis of Assisi; Rev.
Frank Lioi, St. Mary’s;
All Planning Group Members
