Recommendations to Archbishop Thompson from the Archdiocesan Planning Commission. NOTE: These are NOT Final Decisions.

New Albany Deanery Mergers 

· St. Peter, Harrison County to be merged into St. Joseph, Corydon 
 
· Most Precious Blood, New Middleton to be merged into St. Joseph, Corydon
 
The rationale from the planning commission for this recommendation is:
“We make these recommendations based on the goals and criteria of Connected in the Spirit established by the  Archbishop, their own parish study and Parish, Cohort and Archdiocesan data.  Our thinking is also based on their desire and ours to have a strong Catholic presence in the area: While there is a strong desire to stay as they are the future does not show continued growth in this part of the county; the reliance on priests from St. Meinrad is getting more difficult as they are not sending that many priests into parish ministry as they have in the past; it is important that the parishes be less parochial and more cooperative with other parishes in their area as a show of collegiality and serve the parishioners more effectively; sharing of resources allows for continued growth in cooperation; no RCIA, little or no catechesis, no or little social outreach at Precious Blood and St. Peter parishes is a cause of concern; there have only been three baptisms at St. Peter and one baptism at Precious Blood in the last 5 years; there have been 18 funerals at St. Peter and six at Precious Blood in the five-year period; Most Precious Blood is relying on bequests to balance the budget which is not sustainable; between 2000 and 2010, the number of Catholics has declined by 30% in Harrison County while the population increased by nearly 15% in the same time period.”
 
Linkages
 
· Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jeffersonville continue to be linked with St. Augustine, Jeffersonville 
 
· St. Bernard, Frenchtown continue to be linked with St. Michael, Bradford and with St. Joseph, Marengo 
 
· St. John the Baptist, Starlight to be linked with St. Mary of the Annunciation, Navilleton 
 
· St. Michael, Charlestown continue to be linked with St. Francis Xavier, Henryville
 
Partnerships
 
· Holy Family, New Albany to be partnered with Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Albany and with St. Mary of the Annunciation, New Albany and with St. Anthony of Padua, Clarksville
 
· St. Joseph, Corydon to be partnered with St. Mary, Lanesville 
 
· St. John the Baptist, Starlight to be partnered with St. Mary of the Annunciation, Navilleton and with St. Mary of the Knobs, Floyd Knobs 
 
· St. Michael, Charlestown to be partnered with St. Francis Xavier, Henryville and with St. John Paul II, Sellersburg