Targeted Restructuring of Parishes and Schools
Across the United States, many Catholic dioceses are undergoing a structural pruning, as consistent trends must be faced: an aging priest population; a decline in Mass attendance and Sunday collections, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, a decreasing Catholic population and the rise of the “nones” — those claiming no religious affiliation; an increase in frequency and costs of structural maintenance needs of aging churches and schools; and a frequent decline in Catholic school enrollment aggravated by a nationwide educator shortage.
The Diocese of Joliet began its own pruning in the fall of 2021, when consultant recommendations streamlined operations at diocesan headquarters located at the Blanchette Catholic Center. A new organizational chart reduced headcount by nearly 30 percent, with an emphasis on outward-focused service.
In the summer of 2022, attention turned to the vitality and sustainability of parishes and schools. A team of the bishop, senior staff and the eight priests who serve as deans of the eight deaneries of the diocese began the process of evaluating data and trends about our diocese, focusing on specific geographic areas that need review — hence the term of “targeted restructuring.”
This targeted restructuring team is examining the future of parishes and schools in three phases: urgent; in the next year; and in two to three years.
Bishop Hicks wrote about this targeted restructuring process in his October 2022 column.
Members of the Targeted Restructuring Committe include:
Clergy
- Most Rev. Ronald Hicks, Bishop
- Very Rev. Richard Smith, Vicar General
- Very Rev. John Balluff, Vicar for Priests
- Very Rev. Dan Bachner
- Very Rev. Gregor Gorsic
- Very Rev. Chris Groh
- Very Rev. Doug Hauber
- Very Rev. John Lindsey
- Very Rev. Tom Paul
- Very Rev. Greg Podwysocki
- Very Rev. Matthew Pratscher
Lay Members
- Maureen Harton, Director of Implementation
- Mark Janus, Director of Parish Finances
- Mary Ann McLean, General Counsel
- Christopher Nye, Director of Buildings & Properties
- Dr. Jim Quaid, Superintendent of Schools
- Justin Reyes, Director of Catechesis & Evangelization
- Brian Schroeder, Chief Financial Officer
As we accompany parishes and schools in this journey to a new era of vibrant Catholic institutions, news about the process will be posted here:
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Summary
In late July 2022, St. Dennis Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic School, both located in Lockport, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.
After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that one combined new school would be created using both campuses, with the goal of developing into a regional school serving the communities of Lockport and Homer Glen at the start of the 2024–25 academic year. Although served by the two parishes of Our Mother of Good Counsel and St. Bernard, Homer Glen lacks a Diocese of Joliet Catholic school presence.
The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a collaborative transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lockport as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lockport
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Summary
In late July 2022, Sacred Heart Catholic School and St. Pius X Parish School, both located in Lombard, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.
After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that Sacred Heart Catholic School should close at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. St. Pius X Parish School would retain its current status.
The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a pastoral transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lombard as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lombard
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Summary
In late July 2022, St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensenville was placed in the urgent phase due to several factors, including but not limited to, long-standing financial problems and increasing structural and maintenance needs that the parish lacked the means to address.
After thorough and prayerful consideration of the written materials and parishioner input, the committee unanimously decided on the following recommendation:
- Canonically extinguish the parish;
- Transfer the territory and assets of the parish to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst;
- Transfer the sacramental records to the diocesan chancery office;
- Assign the existing diocesan debt to the Diocese;
- One weekly Sunday mass in Polish will be celebrated in the Eastern DuPage Deanery;
- Direct that if St. Charles Borromeo’s real estate is ever sold, the Diocese will be reimbursed for all forgiven diocesan debt, assumed diocesan debt and expenses incurred by the Diocese in maintaining the property from the time of closure of the parish until the sale of the property. The remaining sale proceeds will go to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish; and
- The effective date of these actions is June 30, 2023.
The diocese is sincerely grateful to Fr. Twaruzek, parish lay leadership and the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Parish for their patient, thoughtful and respectful input throughout this process. Other parishes in the Eastern DuPage Deanery will soon be hosting open houses to welcome St. Charles Borromeo parishioners. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all St. Charles Borromeo parishioners as they seek a new spiritual home.
Read the full statement about the restructuring of St. Charles Borromeo Parish
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Summary
As reported in the June 17, 2023 parish bulletins, the second phase of targeted restructuring in the Diocese of Joliet began July 1, 2023, and includes all 16 parishes in the Joliet Deanery. The 16 parishes have been grouped into smaller clusters to facilitate the restructuring process (see link to full letter below for listing and map).
All pastors have identified the persons who will serve on their parish leadership teams. These teams will receive training in Pastoral Accompaniment Skills in July and August, so they are equipped with the tools needed to assist their pastors in accompanying parishioners through the changes that will be taking place over the course of the next several months.
Read the full letter to 16 Parishes in Joliet Deanery
Parish Session Presentations
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Summary
In late July 2022, St. Dennis Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic School, both located in Lockport, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.
After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that one combined new school would be created using both campuses, with the goal of developing into a regional school serving the communities of Lockport and Homer Glen at the start of the 2024–25 academic year. Although served by the two parishes of Our Mother of Good Counsel and St. Bernard, Homer Glen lacks a Diocese of Joliet Catholic school presence.
The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a collaborative transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lockport as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lockport
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Summary
In late July 2022, Sacred Heart Catholic School and St. Pius X Parish School, both located in Lombard, were placed in the urgent phase due to the following trends over several years: the combined enrollment of both schools has remained mostly static or declined; overall structural maintenance needs have increased in both frequency and cost; and staffing needs have struggled to be met amid an unrelenting nationwide educator shortage.
After thorough and prayerful consideration of the various data and stakeholder responses, the committee unanimously decided that Sacred Heart Catholic School should close at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year. St. Pius X Parish School would retain its current status.
The diocese is sincerely grateful to the various stakeholders for their patience and thoughtful input throughout this process. We pray for a pastoral transition to this new era of Catholic education in Lombard as we continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Read the full statement about the future of Catholic schools in Lombard
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Summary
In late July 2022, St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bensenville was placed in the urgent phase due to several factors, including but not limited to, long-standing financial problems and increasing structural and maintenance needs that the parish lacked the means to address.
After thorough and prayerful consideration of the written materials and parishioner input, the committee unanimously decided on the following recommendation:
- Canonically extinguish the parish;
- Transfer the territory and assets of the parish to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst;
- Transfer the sacramental records to the diocesan chancery office;
- Assign the existing diocesan debt to the Diocese;
- One weekly Sunday mass in Polish will be celebrated in the Eastern DuPage Deanery;
- Direct that if St. Charles Borromeo’s real estate is ever sold, the Diocese will be reimbursed for all forgiven diocesan debt, assumed diocesan debt and expenses incurred by the Diocese in maintaining the property from the time of closure of the parish until the sale of the property. The remaining sale proceeds will go to Mary Queen of Heaven Parish; and
- The effective date of these actions is June 30, 2023.
The diocese is sincerely grateful to Fr. Twaruzek, parish lay leadership and the parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Parish for their patient, thoughtful and respectful input throughout this process. Other parishes in the Eastern DuPage Deanery will soon be hosting open houses to welcome St. Charles Borromeo parishioners. We pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all St. Charles Borromeo parishioners as they seek a new spiritual home.
Read the full statement about the restructuring of St. Charles Borromeo Parish
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Summary
As reported in the June 17, 2023 parish bulletins, the second phase of targeted restructuring in the Diocese of Joliet began July 1, 2023, and includes all 16 parishes in the Joliet Deanery. The 16 parishes have been grouped into smaller clusters to facilitate the restructuring process (see link to full letter below for listing and map).
All pastors have identified the persons who will serve on their parish leadership teams. These teams will receive training in Pastoral Accompaniment Skills in July and August, so they are equipped with the tools needed to assist their pastors in accompanying parishioners through the changes that will be taking place over the course of the next several months.
Read the full letter to 16 Parishes in Joliet Deanery
Parish Session Presentations
