Reverend James A. Shanley

Archdiocese of Hartford

Pastoral Planning

The Chancery

134 Farmington Avenue

Hartford, CT 06105

[phone]/Fax [phone]

Reverend James A. Shanley

Vicar for Pastoral Planning

Deacon Ernest Scrivani, T.O. Carm.

Director of Pastoral Planning

Clergy and laity who have agreed to be interviewed about their personal experience with the pastoral planning process:
Fr. Emmanuel I. Ihemedu – A little over a year ago, Father decided to empower his parishioners at St. Michael and St. Joseph in the North end of Hartford by asking them to come up with a proposal for joining their parish communities. Immediately accepting the challenge, the parishes formed the, Faithful 10, five reps from each church. The Faithful 10 met regularly for about year to decide how to best handle the merger of St. Justin-St. Michael, which became effective this past Palm Sunday on April 9^th. The Faithful 10 will meet indefinitely, because the work continues to evolve.
Vernette Townsend – A proud member of the Faithful 10, Vernette was baptized at St. Michael Church in Hartford and had been a parishioner ever since it merged with St. Justin last month. Having grown up in a loving Catholic home and being educated at St. Joseph elementary school in Hartford, Northwest Catholic in West Hartford, and the University of St. Joseph, she calls herself a “Cradle Catholic” and lives her faith every day.
Fr. Michael A. Ruminski – was assigned to the Immaculate Conception in New Hartford and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Harwinton five months ago when their priest became ill. It was a crucial time when the two parishes were in the throes of their merger. When Father arrived, he expected the worse: resistance, backlash, bitterness. Instead, he was welcomed with commitment, warmth and resolve. The two parishes merged to become Our Lady of Hope. You are welcome to ask him questions during this session.
Nancy Strini – is one of Fr. Ruminski’s parishioners at Our Lady of Hope, and a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, focusing on the transition of The Catholic Transcript newspaper to Catholic Transcript magazine.  She was recently named trustee of the newly-merged Our Lady of Hope Parish.  And, that is no surprise, because she spearheaded the parish's pastoral planning process before, during, and now, after the merger.
Fr. Robert Turner – Father Turner was instrumental in getting parishioners from St. Augustine in Branford to merge with St. Monica in Northford. But, he will be the first to tell you that it wasn’t easy. We all know that people don’t like change. However, one year after the two parishes merged to form St. Ambrose. He is can tell you that the union has made them stronger.

What are the basics of the pastoral plan?

As of June 29, 2017, there will be 127 parishes in the Archdiocese of Hartford, instead of the current 212.

68 parishes will remain as they are;

144 parishes will be involved in mergers resulting in 59 new parishes. The mergers will involve unions of two to six parishes.

186 church buildings will remain open.

26 church buildings will close, inasmuch as regularly scheduled Masses will no longer be held in them.