Frequently Asked Questions
 

Why were the town hall meetings postponed?
The town hall meetings serve as the formal beginning of the merger process. The meetings scheduled for May were postponed because the Bishop postponed our merger to July 2022. Since we are doing a Collaborative 2 parish model, the bishop felt that the Diocese needed more time to work with the clergy, staff, councils, and the Diocesan Team to make sure everything was in place to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Once we have more information town hall meetings will be rescheduled.
 
Will there be a church left in the Valley once we merge?
ABSOLUTELY YES!  

Has the bishop already decided what church buildings will close?
The bishop has not predetermined which buildings will close and which buildings will remain open. The decision will be a process that involves all of the parishioners. Every voice will be heard before a final decision is made by the bishop. We expect the process to begin in 2022.
 
Is it true all buildings will close and we are building a new church?
There are no plans to close all three beaver valley parishes and build a new one. In order to build a new church, 70% of the money would need to be raised before you can even break ground. Our parishes cannot afford to build a new church at this time.

Will the finances function separately between the Valley and Franklin Park?
Jesus talks about the parable of the talents and how generosity is what he desires for his investment of time, treasure and talents. In the area of treasure the plan is that next summer 2022 the Great Grouping will go from 4 financially functioning parishes to 2. Keep in mind that none of the 4 parishes carry any debt and all have balanced books. There will be two separate EIN numbers (employer identification numbers), and separate bank accounts. The parishes will maintain a collaborative relationship in terms of shared expenses in areas like priest salaries and staff expenses. Since this is in the early planning phase of the preparation for the parish collaborative, the next 12 months of the process will flush out more concrete details.