Letter to 16 Parishes in Joliet Deanery

As reported in the June 17, 2023 parish bulletin, the second phase of targeted restructuring in the Diocese of Joliet began July 1, 2023 and includes all sixteen parishes in the Joliet Deanery. The sixteen parishes have been grouped into smaller clusters to facilitate the restructuring process. The targeted restructuring committee met on June 22nd and identified the following groupings/clusters:

GROUP 1

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
St. Anthony
St. Bernard
St. Joseph (Joliet)
St. Mary Magdalene

GROUP 2

Sacred Heart
St. Joseph (Rockdale)
St. Jude
St. Patrick
St. Paul the Apostle

GROUP 3

Cathedral of St. Raymond
St. John the Baptist
Holy Cross
St. Mary Nativity
St. Ambrose (Crest Hill)
St. Anne (Crest Hill)

A visual depiction of the groupings is as follows:

For the most part, these groupings are based on geography.

The diocese has engaged Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), a third-party consultant, to assist parishes throughout the restructuring process. CLI has worked with many dioceses across the country in similar endeavors. CLI will work directly with pastors and parish leadership teams to create timelines for the process, facilitate parish listening sessions, create possible scenarios for parishioner feedback, and other related tasks.

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.

Once again, we know you are very connected to your parish spiritually and emotionally, and the Diocese is committed to working with all parishes and parishioners throughout this necessary but challenging process. We are committed to transparency. Please direct all email inquiries to [email protected].

Let us continue to pray for and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we accompany one another on this journey of discernment to a new Catholic community in the Joliet Deanery.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Maureen Harton
Director of Implementation
Targeted Restructuring Committee