Resource Task Force

The Resource Task Force and the Parish Leadership Team made the Recommendation to the Bishop to Close St. Peter Church - for more information about the Recommendation click here

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR DETERMINING THE CHURCH BUILDINGS IN THE SOUTH SIDE?  WHAT IS THE RESOURCE TASK FORCE?
 
The goals of our new parish grouping are unity, health, sustainability and growing a mission parish. In his letter The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis said that structure and buildings need to flow from mission.
“The renewal of structures demanded by pastoral conversion can only be understood in this light:  as part of an effort to make them more mission-oriented, to make ordinary pastoral activity on every level more inclusive and open.”
 
It has already been communicated that, in an effort to stabilize and become as healthy as possible before we merge, we must clarify the needs of our parishes.  For example, at Saint Mary of the Mount Parish, we need to determine how we are to proceed with, or re-envision the construction of the proposed parish center.  At Prince of Peace Parish, we need to determine which church will best serve us for the future.
 
To determine which church will best serve the South Side and our future parish grouping, there is a detailed process laid out by the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which takes into account universal church law.  We definitely will follow this in every detail!  
 
The first major step is to form a Resource Task Force (RTF).  The purpose of the Resource Task Force is to study and recommend sustainable building and structural needs for On Mission, beginning with the church buildings themselves, while secondarily taking into account the other building needs such as offices, ministry, education, and living space.  The Resource Task Force has been formed and already has begun its work.  It is made up of parishioners from Prince of Peace Parish, and facilitated by the Facilitator of the combined Parish Pastoral Council.  The members have been chosen based on their gifts and experience. They represent members of the Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, and other parishioners who have understanding of the buildings, engineering, as well as the South Side Community, etc.  The data resources they will be studying include engineering studies, cost estimates, parking, property and building values, demographic and sacramental information, parish financials and more.  The process of meeting, studying data and praying will occur throughout the summer months.
 
By the end of the summer, the Resource Task Force will present its best recommendation to the Parish Leadership Team, after which they will present the recommendation to the Parish Finance Councils and Pastoral Council, for input and continued discernment.  After this, the recommendation will be presented to the Prince of Peace Parish at large, so that we may gain understanding and gather input.  This will be done during parish assemblies, and through additional means of communication. After gathering data and input, a final recommendation is ultimately presented to the Bishop and his councils who will make the final decision.  
 
To emphasize once again –No Decisions have been Made!   That is why it is so important to study the data, discuss, get input, and pray! Please stay informed by paying attention to our bulletins and website (www.popsmm.org) for information about the Resource Task Force, and data that will be studied.