Braintree Churches in 2nd Phase of Archdiocese Restructuring

The Braintree churches are among 44 parishes that will team together as part of an effort that Archdiocese Director of Pastoral Planning Fr. Paul Soper says is a directive of Cardinal Sean O’Malley and Pope Francis I within the archdiocese called “Disciples in Mission – A Pastoral Plan for the Archdiocese of Boston.”

“We are learning much from the Phase One implementation, which will serve us well as we begin Phase Two,” Soper said in a statement. “I am particularly grateful to our pastors and parishes which have provided valuable input throughout the consultation process, guiding us as we implement ‘Disciples in Mission’ across the archdiocese.”

The reorganization will result in shared resources and parish leaders with the goal of helping "parishes cope with diminished Mass attendance, a shortage of priests, and anemic fund-raising," the Boston Globe reported.

The first phase began in January according to the Boston Globe, which reported that the reorganization aims to eventually group the archdiocese’s 288 parishes into about 135 clusters.

The collaboratives will begin on June 3, 2014.

St. Clare's operating income in fiscal year 2013 was $489,201, according to the Office of Pastoral Planning’s website. After expenses, its operating profit was $15,707.

St. Francis of Assisi's operating income in fiscal year 2013 was $938,830. Its operating profit was $128,098. 

More information on the initiative can be found on the Archdiocese of Boston’s Office of Pastoral Planning website.