We would like to use this letter as an opportunity to update you on the progress of the Vineland Catholic Collaborative (VCC). As you will recall, the VCC is a gathering of three individuals from each parish -- Divine Mercy, St. Padre Pio and Christ the Good Shepherd to take a look at how we can together share ministries and resources. The Bishop has charged us with focusing on a five year plan. To that end, our Religious Education programs are working with our newly hired Faith Formation Director to provide access to all the programs to the entire Catholic Community
of Vineland. We are very encouraged by the enrollment for this year's summer intensive religious education program -- a true collaborative effort. If you have any questions as we move along in this process, please ask us directly so that we can address your concerns.
Please keep all of us in your prayers as we work to effectively plan our future.
Fr. Joel Arciga Camarillo
Msgr. John Burton
Fr. Robert Sinatra
Q. Why was the VCC formed?
A. Bishop Sullivan asked our three Vineland parishes to enter into a planning process to
examine the pastoral and temporal data of the parishes and consider how we are
providing ministry to Catholics and to the wider Vineland community.
Q. How often does the group meet?
A. The full group has been meeting at least once a month since Spring 2016. The three
pastors meet more frequently.
Q. Is the diocese telling the group what to do?
A. No. Personnel from the diocese have attended some of our meetings and provided
suggestions, but they do not tell us what to do. As an example, the diocese has requested
that mass counts be conducted over the next several months to see where there are
fluctuations. They also recommended that improved communication about the process be
provided to parishioners.
Q. What have been some of the accomplishments so far?
A. A Director of Lifelong Faith Formation has been hired and her duties are being
monitored. A joint Christmasconcert was held. The summer intensive religious
education has been successful.
Q. Is this a merger?
A. No. The purpose of the collaborative is to strengthen the identity of the Catholic
community in Vineland.
Q. If the parishes share services, what would they be?
A. We have analyzed the current staffing at each parish and some discussion has been had
regarding sharing of parish priests so that each parish gets familiar with the other pastors.
Q. Each parish has its own unique cultural differences. Has the VCC taken this into
consideration?
A. Culturally based ministries will remain intact and shared where feasible. The group has
had numerous conversations about trying to preserve the individual cultural identities of
each parish.
Summer Intensive Headcount
136 families
197 children
69 Padre Pio
31 Christ the Good Sheppard
5 Divine Mercy
29 Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
2 unknown
