Cherry Hill parishes to merge

And the two shall become one.

Bishop Joseph Galante yesterday formally announced implementation of the first of 37 mergers that will reduce the number of Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Camden by nearly half.

Queen of Heaven and St. Peter Celestine Parishes, both in Cherry Hill, will become the Catholic Community of Christ Our Light on July 29, according to a directive by Galante.

Faced with a dwindling number of priests and low Sunday Mass attendance in some churches, Galante announced in April 2008 his plan to cut the number of parishes in the six-county diocese.

While that plan was met by sadness and protest, the bishop's avowed goal was more vibrant church communities that could better serve members' needs.

For nearly a year, committees from the parishes slated for merger and bishop-appointed priests have worked together to plan the combining of their congregations.

In the Cherry Hill merger, made formal yesterday, the new Christ Our Light parish will worship at St. Peter Celestine Church on Kings Highway, and St. Peter's pastor, the Rev. Thomas Newton, will be the new parish's pastor. Queen of Heaven's last pastor was transferred to another church about two months ago.

The Queen of Heaven church on Route 70 in Erlton may be used for baptisms, weddings and funerals, at least until a yet-to-be-formed parish council decides what will be done with the building.

In addition to other existing ministries, the new parish will add two full-time positions - a pastoral associate for young-adult faith formation, and another to work on justice issues and community outreach.

Queen of Heaven's school closed a year ago, and many of its children this year attended St. Peter's school, renamed Resurrection.

"This is a time of great joy and rebirth for the Catholic-faith community in this area of the diocese," Galante said in a statement issued yesterday. Three more mergers are expected this summer.

For many, the process has been a painful one, particularly for Queen of Heaven parishioners, who feel they're losing their church, opened in 1955.

"There are folks still coming to Mass who went to Mass in 1955," said Joe Cooney, the parish's communications director and a native son.

Cooney, a New York City transplant who returned to Cherry Hill for family reasons, said he shares their sadness. And he's not only losing his church; after July 31, his job will cease to exist. Still, he has hopes for the new Christ Our Light.

"While I understand it's been upsetting, I hope and pray people will become more excited about the possibilities of the new parish," he said.

Newton, who will become their pastor, said he thinks most people have worked through their feelings of loss. He's been celebrating Sunday Mass at Queen of Heaven and St. Peter's since Queen of Heaven's pastor was transferred.

In addition, members of the two parishes have created a quilt banner that acknowledges suffering and triumph. And there has been talk of a celebration, perhaps in the fall, in honor of their union.

Each church building will retain its name, but the parish name will be new.

Terri Potts, a St. Peter's congregant who was on the merger committee, said she likes the new name.

"I think it symbolizes our beliefs," she said.

Alice Corica, a 34-year parishioner of Queen of Heaven, also served on the merger committee. She said she has gone through all the stages of grieving for her loss, as have fellow parishioners.

"Now I'm ready to move on," she said. "I'm ready for the light."