Parish Mergers & Closures

Canon 121 Decree: Decree implementing the directives of the Dicastery for the Clergy and the Dicastery for Legislative Texts

The following resources are intended as informational tools to help support a complex and challenging task. While they outline policies and procedures the Diocese expects each parish to follow, there is some flexibility for individualizing the implementation of exactly how they are carried out. To view the full document, please click here.

The following documents have been prepared to assist parishes in navigating the process of merging and closing parish and worship sites. They provide essential guidelines and practical steps to ensure a smooth transition during these changes. Our goal is to support parishes through this period of adjustment, helping to preserve the spiritual and community values that have been integral to their mission while adapting to the evolving needs of the faith community. 
  1. Pillar Revamped Summary (update Oct. 2024)
  2. Guide for Parish Mergers/Closures
  3. Lease Guidelines
  4. Parish Appeal Guidelines
  5. Financial and Budget Guidelines
  6. Asset Guidance Scenarios
  7. Merger Date Guidelines
  8. New Wine, New Wineskins Flyer
  9. Secondary Worship Site Definition  
  10. Editable Welcome Card PDF