News from the Hamilton Catholic Pastoral Region

News from the Hamilton Catholic Pastoral Region
Pastor to be assigned this summer

A pastor will be assigned to St. Peter in Chains and St. Joseph Parishes this summer. When Fr. Mike Pucke retires in July 2017, the priest named this summer will also become pastor of St. Julie Billiart. Given the scope of implementing the Pastoral Region fully, the archdiocese proposed a “transition year” so that the assigned priest would not have to take on all three parishes right away. Rather, he will be named pastor of St. Peter’s and St. Joe’s and have the opportunity to work closely with Fr. Pucke and St. Julie’s for one year before becoming pastor of the entire Pastoral Region in the summer of 2017. This proposal was discussed and agreed upon by the Pastoral Region Planning Committee.

HOW WILL THE PASTOR BE SELECTED? The usual “open listing” process in the Archdiocese will be followed. All three parishes will be submitting various parish statistics and information (e.g. Mass attendance stats, number of households in the parish, current staffing at each parish, etc.). This information will be incorporated into a description of the three parishes and sent to all active diocesan priests.

Any priest interested in the assignment can look at additional information submitted by the three Parish Pastoral Councils and staff. He can also talk with Fr. McMullen and Fr. Pucke. Priests can nominate themselves. Other priests can nominate one of their number as well. Nominations are reviewed by the Priests Personnel Board (priests elected by their peers) who, in turn, recommend someone to the Archbishop. The Archbishop usually accepts such nominations.

The open listing process will begin in a few weeks. Usually assignments are announced in March or April with the new pastor starting in mid-summer, typically July 1. It is expected that the new pastor will have the usual term of six years with the possibility of six additional years.

THE ROAD AHEAD...While this is a major step, much more work remains to be done. The Pastoral Region Planning Committee continues to meet and is working to develop an overall plan for the region. The draft of the plan will be presented to the parishes at a Pastoral Region Town Hall meeting in the next few months. More details about this meeting will be published in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers as we continue the journey towards becoming the Hamilton Catholic Pastoral Region!